Optical Region Coding

[@weldonyoung1013]

Physical Media discs can also be marked "0" to indicate "All" regions.

[@itfreetraining]

Physical media discs like DVDs and Blu-rays use region coding to restrict playback based on location. Discs are marked with a number (e.g., 1, 2, 3) or a globe symbol with a number to indicate their region. "Region-free" discs can play on any player, but they typically won't have a special "0" marking. A "0" marking might be seen on region-free players themselves, or on unofficially modified discs to signify they've been altered to bypass region coding.

[@ayadalhilo]

I remember that "Region" limitation was annoying and unnecessary. Thanks God we do not depend on DVDs anymore!

[@itfreetraining]

Indeed, the region coding system for DVDs could be quite frustrating for consumers. Region codes were implemented as a way for movie studios and distributors to control the release of films in different parts of the world, but they often inconvenienced users who wanted to watch DVDs purchased from other regions or who traveled internationally. The shift to digital streaming and downloadable content has largely eliminated these region-based restrictions. Services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and others allow users to access a vast library of content from various regions without the need for physical DVDs. This digital approach offers more convenience and flexibility to consumers, as they can watch content on-demand from a variety of devices regardless of their physical location. While DVDs are still used by some, the convenience and accessibility of digital streaming have transformed the way we consume entertainment content, making region restrictions a thing of the past for most users.

[@colinreece3452]

This reminded me of a guy who I worked with, let us say he was careful with his money lol. Anyway someone gave him a DVD that was bought in another country, it was locked to that countrie's region so it wouldn't play on his VCR. Well he spent nearly two weeks trying to find a way to play it, the movie wasn't particularly any good but he got it for free so he had to watch it. I think in the end he did find a way through some trickery, but then get this, he tried to sell the DVD at work but he got no buyers.

[@itfreetraining]

Interesting. In the old days the regional encoding was painful to deal with.

[@tuananhtruong9988]

Thanks

[@itfreetraining]

Thanks for watching.