The following are a list of region free DVD player tips which provide information on code free and region free dvd players.

Progressive Scan- The TVs all of us have been watching all our lives create a picture using a process called Interlace Scan, which creates the image in two interlaced fields; first the odd lines (1, 3, 5, etc.) and then the even lines (2, 4, 6, etc.). Progressive Scan, which is found on computer monitors and an ever-increasing number of digital TVs, creates a picture as a single image, scanning all the lines in succession (1, 2, 3, etc.). Pictures created using the Progressive Scan technique look sharp and crisp. Although all DVD players equipped with a Progressive Scan output also have Interlace Scan outputs, to use the Progressive Scan feature your TV must be capable of creating a picture using the Progressive-Scan method.

RF Coax A/V Output- This is a standard cable output of a video/audio signal. Signals using this type of output are limited to a maximum of 330 lines of resolution, so it is not a good hookup to use with high resolution sources like DVD players or satellite dishes. It does allow hookup to older TV's without other types of inputs.

Region Coding- Not all DVDs play on all DVD players. For the sake of DVD distribution, the world is divided up into six regions. DVDs have Region Coding depending on which region they are designated for, and consequently the DVDs will only play on DVD players from corresponding regions. Region Coding was invented in case DVDs of a particular movie infiltrate a region before the film is released in theaters.

VD Region Locking is a system used to control which DVD movies play on which DVD Players. The regions are broken down as follow:

• Region 1 - The U.S., U.S. territories and Canada

• Region 2 - Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Egypt, South Africa, Greenland

• Region 3 - Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong

• Region 4 - Mexico, South America, Central America, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Caribbean

• Region 5 - Russia (okay, former Russia), Eastern Europe, India, most of Africa, North Korea, Mongolia

• Region 6 - China

What does this mean to the end consumer?

This means that movies from Region 1 (USA & Canada) WILL NOT play on a DVD player regions 2-6. Effectively Region 1 discs play only on Region 1 DVD players, Region 2 discs play only on Region 2 DVD players and so on.

How do you tell what region code a dvd disc is? 

The Region Code is usually specified on the back of the individual DVD packages, either with a Regional Coding logo of a globe with the region number superimposed over it, or specifically spelled out. For example, while currently-released New Line and Warner DVD titles use the globe logo & number scheme, MGM/UA titles state: "This disc has been encoded for Region 1: The United States, U.S. Territories and Canada." In the cast of Lumivision's discs, they are labelled "Available worldwide," which means that the discs contain no regional coding and will play on any player in any country.

TV Systems and Code Free DVD Players
TV systems can be broken down into 3 categories:

• NTSC

• PAL

• SECAM

USA & Canada & Japan use the NTSC television system, the majority of Europe - with the exception of France, use PAL. If you purchase a PAL European DVD movie you will not be able to watch the movie unless your television can play PAL. A further example would be purchasing a NTSC movie and trying to watch it on a PAL only TV - this will not work.

NTSC, PAL and SECAM Information

Most countries of the world use TV Standards that are incompatible with other countries. For example, a video recording made in Germany could not be played back on an American standard VCR or shown on the American TV. There are three main world standards and the rest are minor branches of these main systems. The systems are NTSC, PAL, SECAM. The charts below give a description of each standard and the technical variations within them.

NTSC:
The first colour TV broadcast system was implemented in the United States in 1953. This was based on the NTSC (National Television System Committee) standard. NTSC is used by many countries on the American continent as well as many Asian countries including Japan. NTSC runs on 525 lines/frame.

PAL:
The PAL (Phase Alternating Line) standard was introduced in the early 1960's and implemented in most European countries except for France. The PAL standard utilises a wider channel bandwidth than NTSC which allows for better picture quality. PAL runs on 625 lines/frame.

SECAM:
The SECAM (Sequential Couleur Avec Memoire or Sequential Colour with Memory) standard was introduced in the early 1960's and implemented in France. SECAM uses the same bandwidth as PAL but transmits the colour information sequentially. SECAM runs on 625 lines/frame

S-Video Inputs- This small, round, multi-pin jack allows a signal with separate black and white and color signals to be used as an input for a high resolution video source. S-Video jacks are better than standard RCA (composite jacks) in that they eliminate cross-color and dot crawl effects while providing the same high resolution as RCA jacks.

S-Video Outputs- See S-Video Inputs. This jack allows a source component to send a high resolution signal to another unit. Typically found on DVD, SVHS, DBS, Hi-8mm camcorders, Laser disc players.

Shuttle Control- See Jog/Shuttle in VCRs. Shuttle controls on DVD players allow quick fast forwarding, slow motion, still frame from your remote control.