"The DVD or video won't play on my machine or display properly on my television!"
"The plug doesn't fit my outlet!"
"I plugged it in, but it shorted out! The electrician said it was a voltage problem!"
Frustrated or confused by the geographical differences which may interfere with your DVD or video tape viewing?
Help is here!
Below you'll find what you need to know about DVD and Blu-Ray region codes, NTSC/PAL/SECAM formats, and regional electrical differences:
DVD AND BLU-RAY REGION CODING EXPLAINED
Region coding affects DVDs and Blu-Ray discs only -- not video tapes.
Most DVDs discs are formated with "region coding" so that they only play on DVD players in specific geographic regions.
The DVD's packaging should have its region code imprinted on it.
The instruction manuals for DVD players will indicate which DVD region code(s) are playable on them.
Most Blu-Ray discs are formated with "region coding" so that they only play on Blu-Ray players in specific geographic regions. (Note: Blu-Ray discs will not play on standard DVD players.)
The Blu-Ray disc's packaging should have its region code imprinted on it.
The instruction manuals for Blu-Ray players will indicate which Blu-Ray region code(s) are playable on them.
Currently, the six region codes for DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, and their general geographic regions, are as follows:
Region 1 - United States, US Territories, Canada, Bermuda
Region 2 - Japan, Europe, South Africa, the Middle East including Egypt
Region 3 - Southeast Asia, East Asia including Hong Kong
Region 4 - Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean
Region 5 - Former Soviet Union, Indian subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, Mongolia
Region 6 - China
TV/DVD/BLU-RAY/VCR VIDEO SYSTEM FORMATS EXPLAINED
Video system formats affect all televisions, Blu-Ray players, DVD players, VCRs, Blu-Ray discs, DVDs and video tapes.
All Blu-Ray discs, DVDs and video tapes are formatted for one of three specific video system formats: NTSC, PAL or SECAM.
Each of these formats is used in certain geographic regions.
The video system format of a Blu-Ray disc, DVD or video tape must match that of your television as well as your Blu-ray player, DVD player or VCR in order for you to view the Blu-ray disc, DVD or video tape.
Currently, the three video system formats and their general geographic regions are as follows:
NTSC - United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, parts of Central and South America
PAL - United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, China, India, Australia, most of Africa, parts of the Middle East
SECAM - France, Russia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East
MULTIREGIONAL AND REGION-FREE BLU-RAY AND DVD PLAYERS EXPLAINED
Multi-regional DVD players are designed to play DVDs from at least two different regions, and perhaps all regions (this may vary by player, the instruction manual should indicate which region codes are playable).
Region-free DVD players are designed to play virtually all DVDs regardless of region coding.
NOTE: Video system format still matters -- if the DVD has a system format (NTSC, PAL, SECAM) which differs from the DVD player and/or your television, you will need a video system format converter EVEN IF THE REGION CODING IS PLAYABLE ON THE MACHINE. Some multi-regional and region-free DVD players have built-in video system format converters, but not all of them do, so be sure to check the product specifications. If the unit does not have a built-in video system converter, you will need to obtain a separate video system converter unit.
Multi-regional Blu-Ray players are designed to play Blu-Ray discs from at least two different regions, and perhaps all regions (this may vary by player, the instruction manual should indicate which region codes are playable).
Region-free Blu-Ray players are designed to play virtually all Blu-Ray discs regardless of region coding.
NOTE: Video system format still matters -- if the Blu-Ray disc has a system format (NTSC, PAL, SECAM) which differs from the Blu-Ray player and/or your television, you will need a video system format converter EVEN IF THE REGION CODING IS PLAYABLE ON THE MACHINE. Some multi-regional and region-free Blu-Ray players have built-in video system format converters, but not all of them do, so be sure to check the product specifications. If the unit does not have a built-in video system converter, you will need to obtain a separate video system converter unit.
VOLTAGE STANDARDS EXPLAINED
Different geographic regions of the world have different electric voltage standards.
Check the voltage specifications of your Blu-Ray player, DVD player, VCR and television.
If any of the voltage specifications do not match the voltage standards where you live, determine if the equipment has a built-in voltage transformer (some do, some don't, and the information should appear in the product specifications).
If the equipment does not have one built-in, you will need to obtain a separate voltage transformer unit.
You need a voltage transformer -- not a converter -- to operate electronic devices such as VCRs, Blu-Ray players, DVD players and televisions with voltage specifications which from the power supply where you live. [A converter will operate simple electrical items (such as hair dryers) for short periods (such as an hour or two), but they are not designed to operate electronic equipment such as televisions, VCRs, Blu-Ray players and DVD players.]
For a detailed list of electrical system standards by country, including voltage, frequency and plug type, try this site: http://kropla.com/electric2.htm
DO NOT EVER OPERATE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WITHOUT THE CORRECT VOLTAGE OR PROPER VOLTAGE CONVERSION.
Different geographic regions of the world have different electrical plug-and-outlet designs -- there are about 10-15 different ones.
Check the type of plug on your Blu-Ray player, DVD player, VCR and television.
If any of the plugs are not the same design as those where you live (in other words, they don't fit easily into your electrical outlets), you will need to obtain an adaptor plug for each piece of equipment with a non-fitting plug.
For equipment that requires grounding/earthing, and for long-term hookups, you should obtain an adaptor that allows you to use the ground/earth wire.
NOTE: An adaptor by itself will not change the electrical voltage. If the voltage in the power supply differs from what the television, Blu-Ray player, DVD player or VCR is designed to run on, you also need to obtain a voltage tranformer.
For a detailed list of electrical system standards by country, including voltage, frequency and plug type, try this site: http://kropla.com/electric2.htm
DO NOT EVER FORCE A PLUG INTO AN OUTLET FOR WHICH IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO FIT EASILY.
