What is a REGION CODE?

What does a DVD Region Code (i.e. R1, Region 1) 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