From Robert Silva,
Your Guide to Home Theater.
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I receive a lot of questions regarding the availability of region code free DVD players, from both film fans that desire access to films that are not available in their DVD region, and from educational institutions that need access to DVD material on an international scale. As a result, to meet this demand, many third-party sources have sprung up that market modified DVD players specifically designed for Code-Free DVD playback.

Product Overview

One example of a Code-Free modified DVD player is the code-free version of the JVC XV-NP10S.

Features include:

1. Slim space-saving design is only (1.7 inches) high.

2. Plays DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW (Video Format)/DVD+RW, CD/CD-R/RW, SVCD/VCD, JPEG/WMA/MP3, MPEG-4, and DivX encoded discs.

3. Built in Memory Card Reader for SD/MMC, Compact Flash, Smart Media, XD and Memory Stick.

4. Progressive Scan w/3:2 pulldown and 10-bit/54MHz video D/A converter provides smooth looking video.

5. Component Video, Composite Video, and S-Video outputs allow connection to most televisions.

6. Digital Coaxial and Optical Audio outputs as well as standard analog stereo outputs are featured.

7. Multi-brand remote control allows control of both TV and DVD player.

8. Multi-brand remote control

9/ JVC's A/V COMPU LINK is included for easier interface with other JVC components.

9. Code Free Version is compatible with region coded discs in both NTSC and PAL formats.

10. Code Free Version has built-in PAL-to-NTSC converter for display of PAL system discs on NTSC TVs.

What Makes Code-Free DVD Players Different

Although DVD has enjoyed worldwide success, there is a restriction in place known as region coding (or region lock). This limits the playing of DVDs from a specific region to players sold in the same region.

The DVD Region Codes are as follows:

REGION 1 -- USA, Canada
REGION 2 -- Japan, Europe, South Africa, Middle East, Greenland
REGION 3 -- S.Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Parts of South East Asia
REGION 4 -- Australia, New Zealand, Latin America (including Mexico)
REGION 5 -- Eastern Europe, Russia, India, Africa
REGION 6 -- China
REGION 0 or REGION ALL -- Discs are uncoded and can be played Worldwide, however, PAL discs must be played in a PAL-compatible unit and NTSC discs must be played in an NTSC-compatible unit.

For additional information on region coding, refer to my article: Region Codes - DVD's Dirty Secret

To counteract this, an large after-market in modified DVD players has risen, which allows consumers and educational institutions to view DVDs from the around the world. The sale and ownership of code free DVD players is legal. The XV-NP10S code free DVD player reviewed here is hardware modified by Internatinal Electronics to be compatible with all region coded DVDs. This unit can also play PAL DVDs on an NTSC TV.

Setup - Hardware

Setting up the JVC XV-NP10S for testing was very basic. I found the remote control and onscreen setup menus were very easy use. The owner's manual was well illustrated and easy to understand.

The only complaint; an odd switch on the back panel that gives you a choice of 480i (interlaced) or 480p (progressive), with an additional option to have this function controlled by the remote. This switch should have placed on the front panel, or simply controlled by the remote or onscreen menu; why bother putting this on the rear panel?

One pleasant surprise; the region code bypass function and PAL-to-NTSC conversion was totally automatic, so I did not have to do anything more to be able to play any DVD from any region or system.

Additional components used included a Yamaha HTR-5490 6.1 Channel AV receiver, Syntax LT-32HV LCD television and an Optoma H56 DLP video projector.

A variety of loudspeakers, including Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-3, Optimus LX-5IIs, a Yamaha YST-SW205 Powered Subwoofer, and additional speakers, in both matched and mismatched setups were used.

Comparison DVD players included a KISS DP-470 and Tatung DV-990 Code Free Player.

All connections between were made with Accell and Cobalt Interconnect cables.

Setup - DVD Software

Standard Region 1 coded DVD software used included scenes from the following: Kill Bill - Vol1, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Chicago, Valley Of Gwangi, Underworld, Passionada, Moulin Rouge, ED Wood, and The Mummy, as well as video content on DVD-R and DVD+RW discs. In addition, video content on DVD-R, DVD+RW, DivX discs, and JPEG photos on an SD memory card were also included. .

For audio only, various CDs included: HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Nora Jones: Come Away With Me, Lisa Loeb: Firecracker, Blue Man Group The Complex, Telarc: 1812 Overture. DTS discs included: Queen: Night At The Opera/The Game, Eagles: Hotel California, Sheila Nicholls: Wake, Alan Parsons: On Air. Also included: The Corrs: In Blue (Dolby Digital). In addition, music content on CD-Rs were used to test the audio playback compatibility of the JVC XV-NP10S.

Other-than-Region 1 coded DVDs included: Crying Freeman (Region 2 - PAL), Le Pacte des Loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf - Region 2 PAL), Arizona Dreams - Region 2 PAL), ED Wood (Region 3 Version - NTSC), Godzilla Vs Mechagodzilla 2002 (Region 3 - NTSC), Godzilla Vs Megaguirus (Region 3 - NTSC), Sem Limite Para Vingar "Ricochet" (Region 4).

Proceed to Page 2 - Testing and Conclusion