- Every Digital Video Disc (DVD) is pre-coded so that it can only be played in one of six world regions.
- DVD players are hard-coded to accept only DVDs that correspond to the same region.
- A Region 1 disc cannot be played in a Region 4 DVD player, for example. This technique was developed to enable film production companies to release movies at different times in different regions.
- When searching on eBay, you may wish to enter "DVD 4" in the search field of DVDs, the majority of the results should be most of the R4 DVDs available to you - you can then browse by different categories.
- Check with your DVD manufacturer or local repair centre if you are unsure of your player's coded region, but most of those purchased new in Australia & New Zealand will be pre-coded Region 4.
- When selling on eBay, check the back cover of your DVD and clearly mark R4 after the title if it is region 4. e.g. Muriel's Wedding R4 DVD or add R1 for region 1 etc.
| Region 1 |
US, Canada, US Territories |
| Region 2 | Japan, Europe, South Africa, and Middle east (including Egypt) |
| Region 3 | Southeast Asia and East Asia (including Hong Kong) |
|
Region 4
|
Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean |
|
Region 5
|
Eastern Europe (former Soviet Union), India subcontinent, Africa, North Korea and Mongolia |
| Region 6 | People's Republic of China |
| Region 7 | Reserved |
| Region 8 | Special international venues (aeroplanes, cruise ships, etc.) |
|
Region 0
|
Region free, can be played on any DVD player.
|
There are currently 3 main video standards used throughout the world:
PAL - Phase Alternating Line. Developed in the United Kingdom and Germany, and used in Australia and New Zealand.
NTSC - National Television Standards Committee. The oldest existing standard, developed in the USA.
SECAM - Systeme Electronique pour Couleur avec Memoire. Developed in France.
If you are unsure of what format to buy, here is a common guide of the formats used around the world.
| PAL System Countries |
NTSC System Countries |
SECAM System Countries |
||
| Australia Austria China Denmark Finland Germany Holland Hong Kong Italy Kuwait |
Malaysia New Zealand Norway Portugal Singapore Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand United Kingdom |
Bahamas Bolivia Canada Central America Chile Columbia Ecuador Jamaica Japan |
Korea Mexico Peru Surinam Taiwan Philippines United States Venezuela |
Bulgaria Czech Republic France Guyana Hungary Iran Iraq Monaco Poland Russia Slovak Republic Ukraine |
