Will DVD's play in China?
 

My son is in China, Shanghi, for a year teaching. He does miss US Television so I picked up some dvd's of Simpson episodes, etc. Will US Dvd's play on a TV in China, and will it play in a Chinese Dvd player? I know that there are zones, etc and that China Tv is a different system. Will these play over there or should I just burn copies so he can play them on his PC?
Thanks, this board knows everything.
Gary

China uses PAL while the US uses NTSC. THat will cause a problem. Also, it's my understanding that a DVD designed for one "region" will not play in the DVD player of another reason, so I think you are probably screwed unless you send him a DVD player and TV too.

If someone else knows otherwise, please correct me.

Steve is correct. Unless he has a "unlocked" DVD, they will not play. Send him one and see but normally no.

I was in Hong Kong several times in the last 20 years and one time bought an "unlocked" version there. It will play anything there is, and I still have it for this reason.

BTW, the only reason for the various regions is to make the movie companies more money. They did not want anyone buying a DVD in a cheaper area of the world and bringing them home to play.

Also, you might ask if he has a "multi-system" television. If so and the DVD is unlocked, the movie will do fine. If you play the movie on a PAL television it may be in black and white or no sound. Forget which but you really need a mulit-system TV and unlocked DVD to play everything.

JoeA

Thanks, that is what I was afraid of. I can copy them, or he can at least play them on his pc. Thanks again.

They will play, but everything will be in Chinese. :D (JK)

You can buy "code-free" dvd players online for about $150. They bypass the region restrictions and will play any region DVD onto any TV - whether NTSC or PAL. This is also useful if you want to order some asian porno inports for your home collection. Not that I would do that. Or know anyone who does. No... really.

Another option is this: Many good DVD copy software packages have the option to dupe your DVDs into the PAL format, and without the region restrictions. If you don't have this type software, ask around to some friends.

Ummm....yeah. Joe kinda beat me to some of the info. Damn, I'm a slow typer.

Yea but I did not know about the DVD transfer software! Good to hear...

JoeA

no, i think he will be able to play them.

i was in hongkong, and taiwan. they have all region DVD players there. i mean they play everything. pirate copies, VCD, etc. it is coming the other direction that gives you problems. you cant bring their disc, (region 3?) and play them here. i bought a all region player for $50 US. i dont use it much because the remote is in chinese.

bottomline, the US has the most restrictive region. as you get less restrictive you can play more DVD's. i guess we have better lawyers here. i expect it is a freeforall in china.

Vash,

Get a "master remote" and program it for the DVD and use that puppy!

What you said about the US being the most restrictive is easy to understand. Too many frigging lawyers in this country...

Joe A