O/T Multi-region my arse!

[jim]

I've tried playing my 'multi-region' DVDs from the States on my PS2. They all play in black and white! Even tried them with DVD region X - still the same! All my region 2 (UK) DVDs play fine.

Why therefore do they put 'multi-region' on the DVDs and how can I combat the problem?

[Steve]

If you playstation is playing the disc then the problem lies with the output signal from your playstation, Most Dvd's which are region 0 will be NTSC which means if you are using an older television which may not be able to display NTSC you would see the image in black and white and misalligned. It may be that you need to use a different scart on the back of your television as normally only one will take an NTSC signal.

[Alan @ Maxim]

Multi Region simply means that the 'author' has built and duplicated the DVD using 'No Regional Coding' (region 0), instead of using Regions, 1, 2 ,3 or 4.

The way it works is that PAL source DVDs will 'usually' play in high end NTSC (US) DVD machines and almost all of the time, they will play in US PCs. NTSC DVDs (Region 1) will usually play in UK machines (region 2) and almost all PCs. Most machines in the UK are set to two regions as standard, region 2 and region 0 (No regional coding).

Cannot speak for PS2s, we have no experience of them, other to say that as far as we know, and we will offer to stand corrected, unchipped, standard PS2s are regionally coded to ONLY play DVDs from the region that they were sold in. i.e, a Region 2 PS2, will only play a region 2 DVD. Hence why the disc is showing only in black and white.

Combat it by 'chipping' the PS2 to play all regions ! Also try playing it in a PC.

Maxim

[steptoe]

Ahh the problem that has haunted me for a while now. As i sell xxx DVD's within the U.K i have spent many an hour reading emails from customers complaining of lack of colour, the problem isn't down to multi-region but american DVD's are all NTSC and unless your T.V has NTSC playback compatabilities it will play in B&W. Most newer T.Vs support this and if you find your scart settings in your T.V's setup menu have a fiddle about changing the scart sockets format you should get it in all it's coloured glory.

Hope This helps
Leigh
www.AdultDVDsUK.co.uk

[jim]

So is there a scart lead which works with older tellies (giving colour to multi-region DVDs)?

[ghost dog]

Could also be your Scart lead. The TV signal is split into 'Luminance' and 'Chromiance' or light and dark and colour. If the colour pins are knackered then you will only see the 'Luminance' signal i.e. black and white.

Try a different Scart lead first.