Why do I get region errors when playing DVDs with RealPlayer (RealTimes)?

DVD drives and movies in DVD format include region codes based on the country where the drive or movie was sold. Region codes prevent playback of DVDs in other geographical regions. If you receive a region error while playing a DVD, this means that the region code of the DVD does not match the region code of the DVD drive.

In general, DVDs will play only on DVD drives that use the same region country codes. For example, if you live in the United States or Canada, you are in Region 1. You can play Region 1 DVDs only on a DVD drive that is set for Region 1. If you try to play Region 2 titles on a Region 1 DVD drive, you will receive an error message.

To avoid this error message, make sure that your DVD player and the DVD you are watching are both coded for the same region. Check the DVD case for more information. You can usually find the region code number printed over a small globe icon on the back of the case.

If your DVD drive has an incorrect region code for your area, you may be able to change the region setting of your DVD drive to match your DVD. However, not all drives provide this option. With most DVD drives, you can change region settings only a limited number of times before the region setting becomes locked permanently.

Contact the manufacturer of your DVD drive to learn how to reset the region code to your locale and any restrictions that may apply.

What the region code number on your DVD case represents:
 
1: United States, United States Territories, Caribbean, and Canada
2: Europe (including British and French territories), Japan, South Africa, and the Middle East
3: Southeast Asia
4: Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand
5: Russia/Eastern Europe, Central and South Asia, and Africa (except Egypt, South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho)
6: China
(7: unused)
8: airlines/cruise ships