Hello out there, does anybody know how to make my iMac DVD drive region/zone free?
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Late 2006 iMac
Hello,
You can only change the region setting up to 5 times.
You can read more here : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2397
It depends on the DVD drive and the firmware. You can play DVDs with VLC, without having to set the drive region to match the DVD:
Some drives can be flashed with RPC-1 firmware. You can then change the region as many times as you want with Region X. See http://www.rpc1.org
A better option is to get an external DVD player that can be set to be region free.
It may be possible to make a Matshita Superdrive region-free by the methods describe here:
http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?t=43082
but please note: you USE THE SOFTWARE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!. The operation isn't officially allowed or sanctioned, which you're supposed to know when you do it.
To make any free=standing DVD player region free, go here:
Jakeboy is currently spamming every thread he can find on the subject with his so-called solution.
His so-called 'solution' not only stops DVD Player from working, and is not therefore a solution at all, the subject of breaching copyright laws is against the terms of use of these forums, and attempts by a user to change or modify the firmware of their Mac with anything not provided by Apple will void the warranty.
So, his advice is therefore not only useless, it can damage a user's Mac and should not be attempted.
sad Klaus.
"and attempts by a user to change or modify the firmware of their Mac with anything not provided by Apple will void the warranty"
you just gave tnat advice further up the thread.........
Klaus1,
With all due respect, I beg to differ in some respects:
1. Whilst I agree that any hack that circumvents the limits imposed by Apple on its devices will void the warranty, I also know that in some jurisdictions such as Australia, limiting the region may be in breach of consumer laws.
2. Circumventing the firmware limitations in this case does not amount to a breach of copyright at all. This was decided by the High Court of Australia in the matter of Stevens v Sony Entertainment Ltd, and the principles in that decision can be applied to modifying a DVD player/writer.
3. Following from 2 above, just because a device is "unlocked" to play DVDs from any region, it does not automatically follow that a user will engage in piracy of any sort. Unfortunately, due to draconian and silly region restrictions by DVD producers, sometimes people purchase Region 1 DVDs for Australasia use, or for viewing in Europe. What is one to do in such cases? Option one: not buy it. Yep. great. Option two: change the region, but only up to 5 times. Yep. Great!. 3. Try to hack the damned thing (which warranty is only one year anyway, unless you purchase extended warranty) if that is possible. If there is a way, I want to know.
4. I suppose another option is to run away as fast and as far as one can from Apple products and peripherals, and use 3rd party hardware that does not contain such anti-competitive and consumer friendless practices.
Disclaimer: I am an attorney, but nothing in this post is meant to constitute legal advice, or form any client-lawyer relationship. Laws differ from region to region, and from time to time, and you, or any other reader who come across this post, cannot and must not rely on it to make any decision. You must obtain proper legal advice that corresponds to your geographic area or jurisdiction before you make any decision or take any action.
Regards,
Jeff
Region free iMac drive
