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Sleepyjack · 02-15-2004, 09:21 PM

We got out first proper DVD player (before it was just the DVD player in my brothers computer, which was a little unreliable) on the weekend.

Normally it's hardcoded to region 4, which is the Australian Region. However, my brother had a few DVD's that were from other regions and wouldn't play on the DVD player. However, it's a multiregional player, or plays most of the DVD's out there and we unlocked it witha code we got off the net (probably fucking the warranty, but we didn't really care).

Why then, do they need to have different regions? i thought the pupose of a format (DVD in this case) was to make it universal so it's good to go anywhere?

LINK

Why Did They Make Regions?

When studios initially release a movie in theaters, the first country to see it is usually America. Six months later, (more or less) theaters in Japan and Europe show their first screening, six months after that Asia, and so on following in the order of region codes. Meanwhile, 6-18 months after a studio releases a movie in America, the American DVD (region #1) is released for home viewing. What often ends of occurring, is that Americans and Canadians have the opportunity to own their own personal copy of a movie before someone in China can see it in a movie theater.

This in itself is not a big problem, where the problem lies is in the potential for cashing in on the time difference. With the explosion of the internet, people in America (if the codes were not implemented) could have bought American DVDs and sold them to people in China who in turn would not go to the theater to see the movie. This time lag, without region codes, would have meant tremendous box office losses (or lack of gains) in other countries.

Region codes also allow studios to sell their DVDs to match different market demands. In some countries, where per capita income is lower and consequently people have less disposable income, DVDs are priced less. Conversely, in America where people have more disposable income and where the demand for DVDs is greater the prices are higher.

Some would make the argument that “Since the studios can sell the DVDs for less in other countries, they are just gouging Americans.” And I would agree with that statement in part. But really folks, especially those who have not studied economics, if people are willing to pay a high price then why would you lower it? If people were willing to buy rocks from my backyard for $1000 a piece, heck I would sell them. I would make a killing. In economics, price plays a small part in determining cost.

I will admit that region codes are bad for the consumer, but from the standpoint of the studios, it is quite smart.

I've read this, and can see were they're coming from. With that though, why haven't they done the same thing with cd's or VHS? (aside from the fact that PAL and NTSC aren't interchangable anyway, that's a technological thing, not marketing)

I guess i am being a whiny customer/consumer at the moment, but does anyone else get a little pissed off about it. Although, the mentality, when more barriers or obstacles are put up, people may be more likely to rebel against it? ....or that could just be a load of crap

Also, how come America got Region 1?

02-15-2004, 09:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sleepyjack Fast'n'Bulbous Location: Australia, Perth	Why DVD regions? We got out first proper DVD player (before it was just the DVD player in my brothers computer, which was a little unreliable) on the weekend. Normally it's hardcoded to region 4, which is the Australian Region. However, my brother had a few DVD's that were from other regions and wouldn't play on the DVD player. However, it's a multiregional player, or plays most of the DVD's out there and we unlocked it witha code we got off the net (probably fucking the warranty, but we didn't really care). Why then, do they need to have different regions? i thought the pupose of a format (DVD in this case) was to make it universal so it's good to go anywhere? LINK Why Did They Make Regions? When studios initially release a movie in theaters, the first country to see it is usually America. Six months later, (more or less) theaters in Japan and Europe show their first screening, six months after that Asia, and so on following in the order of region codes. Meanwhile, 6-18 months after a studio releases a movie in America, the American DVD (region #1) is released for home viewing. What often ends of occurring, is that Americans and Canadians have the opportunity to own their own personal copy of a movie before someone in China can see it in a movie theater. This in itself is not a big problem, where the problem lies is in the potential for cashing in on the time difference. With the explosion of the internet, people in America (if the codes were not implemented) could have bought American DVDs and sold them to people in China who in turn would not go to the theater to see the movie. This time lag, without region codes, would have meant tremendous box office losses (or lack of gains) in other countries. Region codes also allow studios to sell their DVDs to match different market demands. In some countries, where per capita income is lower and consequently people have less disposable income, DVDs are priced less. Conversely, in America where people have more disposable income and where the demand for DVDs is greater the prices are higher. Some would make the argument that “Since the studios can sell the DVDs for less in other countries, they are just gouging Americans.” And I would agree with that statement in part. But really folks, especially those who have not studied economics, if people are willing to pay a high price then why would you lower it? If people were willing to buy rocks from my backyard for $1000 a piece, heck I would sell them. I would make a killing. In economics, price plays a small part in determining cost. I will admit that region codes are bad for the consumer, but from the standpoint of the studios, it is quite smart. I've read this, and can see were they're coming from. With that though, why haven't they done the same thing with cd's or VHS? (aside from the fact that PAL and NTSC aren't interchangable anyway, that's a technological thing, not marketing) I guess i am being a whiny customer/consumer at the moment, but does anyone else get a little pissed off about it. Although, the mentality, when more barriers or obstacles are put up, people may be more likely to rebel against it? ....or that could just be a load of crap Also, how come America got Region 1?