Australian DVD-players?

Question

Hi everyone,

I have heard that Australian DVD-players are multi-region (can read region 4 plus 1,2 etc). Is this true?

Thanks.

Answer 1

No, Australian DVD players are not multi-region.  Legally (or contractually) they are supposed to only play Region 4.

Early in the DVD era it was common to find multi-region players, and in fact most players were multi-region.  This is apparently against the DVD licensing arrangements - manufacturers were pressured to stop allow this to happen.  There was a regulatory crackdown a few years ago which stopped a lot of the multi-region players being sold (however many players could still be unlocked with a code, much like a mobile phone).

It is not uncommon to find multi-region DVD players, but it is false to say that they are 'all' multi-region.  I have three multi-regions, but I have specifically chosen them because I refuse to buy a locked player that won't play many of my imported DVDs.

Answer 2

My dvd will only play region 4 but is about 2 years old, they may have changed now but it would pay to ask or specify that you want a multi-region one.  Look at the back of the player for the symbol, it will tell you what regions it plays.