Enable region free mode on your DVD player

Martin Brinkmann
Apr 15, 2007
Updated • Jun 12, 2013
Hardware
|
14

DVD region codes, how I hate them. I never quite understood why publishers insisted on adding region codes to DVDs in first place as it is so consumer unfriendly. Region codes basically determine which type of digital contents players can play back, and in which players digital contents work.

If I move from the United States to Germany or Great Britain, I would have to import US DVDs as my player cannot play the discs sold in Europe and vice verse. Or, I could throw out my entire collection of DVDs, Blu-Rays and other media to start anew in the new country if I buy a new player there.

It is clear that companies want to limit you from benefiting from the global economy while they take full advantage of it.

The best option that you have is to buy a region free player, but that is not always possible. The next best option is to hack the DVD player to make it region free. Well, it is not really hacking but simply installing a new firmware on it that accepts discs from any region.

You probably think that this is a complicated process which requires knowledge and time - it is not. Region free mode can be enabled on most DVD players by simply using the remote to enter a certain code that enables it.

Sounds probably to good to be true, what do you think? All you need to do is go to the videohelp website and search their database that contains hacks for almost 5000 DVD players. I can't guarantee that your DVD player is among the 5000 listed but the chance is pretty good. Want an example to see how easy it is ?

I just picked one random DVD player from Samsung with the model number DVD-HD870.

  • turn on dvd player
  • make sure there's no dvd in closed tray
  • press 'repeat' button
  • 'no disc' disappears in left corner
  • press 29334 if you have a R1 player
  • 57538 if you have a R2 player
  • 56732 if you have a R3 player
  • 76884 if you have a R4 player
  • 53814 if you have a R5 player
  • 24462 if you have a R6 player
  • current region code is visible in left corner
  • press 9 for code free
  • press 'Standby'
  • enjoy!!

The database is regularly updated so that you should check back if your player is not listed there yet. What you can try instead is look for comparable models and try their unlock code instead. This may or may not work but it is worth a try I think.

Advertisement

Tutorials & Tips


Previous Post: «
Next Post: «

Comments

  1. Roge said on March 22, 2015 at 1:50 am
    Reply

    I have the Samsung SH875M model it has no code for that model,i tried SH875 followed steps it worked,2 come up in the top right corner in box press 9,opened wait 5secs then press power tray then closed then turned off,powered it back up,press the menu button type my region code 57538 for region2 then said 9 instead must of worked.

  2. Gregory said on June 13, 2010 at 10:58 am
    Reply

    I just use a software hack for when I want to play DVD’s from diffeent regions on my laptop but since I have a region-free DVD player in the living room I don’t worry about it so much.. it cost me €30 on Amazon.de

  3. Feodor said on November 9, 2009 at 6:39 pm
    Reply

    Looking for Sony DAV-HDZ485 unlocking steps. Thank you!

  4. NHow said on October 12, 2009 at 6:29 pm
    Reply

    I have a Samsung SH875M and the database says no hacks available. Does anyone have one that works?

    Thanks!

  5. Priscila said on October 1, 2009 at 1:49 am
    Reply

    I have tryed every code found on the internet on my samsung hd870/XAA region 1 and none have worked. Does anyone have an hacking method for this player?

  6. Oliver Corbett said on July 27, 2009 at 4:25 pm
    Reply

    I did it thank you so much! but does the DVD player lose the quality because on my MJ Concert DVD the quality is abit shabby

  7. Hari Kishore said on May 20, 2009 at 3:46 pm
    Reply

    I had a region 5 setup on my Samsung P480. The Code just worked fine… Amazing and Thank you so much.

  8. Asif said on December 22, 2008 at 11:31 am
    Reply

    How to make LG DVD RECORDER + HARD DISC region free. Model No is RH387H

  9. Henry said on May 12, 2008 at 2:16 am
    Reply

    I have the DVD SAMSUNG HD870/XAA, I have already tried all the codes available on internet and none have worked, please if anyone knows haw to help solving this problem ??

  10. PAVAN said on May 30, 2007 at 6:22 am
    Reply

    how to make samsung dvd v565 region free.the above code does not work for it.

  11. Sheep said on April 16, 2007 at 5:07 pm
    Reply

    just what I expected:
    Sony DAV-DZ300 No hacks

    but helpful post though for others

  12. Alastair said on April 16, 2007 at 8:11 am
    Reply

    I argee region codes are a pain, when I bought my first DVD player (years ago) I paid a little bit extra to get it chipped to make it region free.

    Now you can actually find region free players being sold on Amazon, I bought one of my bedroom 3 years ago for around £30!

Leave a Reply

Check the box to consent to your data being stored in line with the guidelines set out in our privacy policy

We love comments and welcome thoughtful and civilized discussion. Rudeness and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Please stay on-topic.
Please note that your comment may not appear immediately after you post it.