DVD Region Codes Explained

What does a DVD Region Code mean?

The idea behind Region Codes for DVD movies was created to control the exportation of movies to other countries, thus eliminating the possibility of purchasing a DVD movie which has yet to be played at a local movie theatre.

• For example: standard DVD players purchased in the U.S. or Canada will only play DVDs that specify they are REGION 1 dvds; standard DVD players purchased in New Zealand will only play DVDs that specify they are REGION 4 DVDs.
• For example: Region 4 DVDs WON'T PLAY in a standard Region 1 DVD player; Region 1 DVDs WON'T PLAY in a standard Region 4 DVD player.
• U.S.A. and CANADA share the SAME REGION CODE: Region 1. An R1 dvd purchased in Canada is exactly the same as an R1 dvd purchased in the U.S., and vice versa.

Here is a list of DVD Regions and their corresponding countries:

• R1 Region 1 ~ U.S.A., U.S. Territories and Canada
• R2 Region 2 ~ Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Egypt, South Africa, Greenland
• R3 Region 3 ~ Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong
• R4 Region 4 ~ Mexico, South and Central America, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Caribbean
• R5 Region 5 ~ Russia, Eastern Europe, India, Africa (excluding South Africa), North Korea, Mongolia
• R6 Region 6 ~ China