Ok, so, I just ripped a dvd out of curiosity(region 1) with DVD Decrypter. Does anyone know how I can change the region, or make it regionless? It seems like I need a file of some kind. Possibly a region patch? Oh, & btw, out of curiosity, I popped in the only foreign dvd I could think of that I have at the moment, & it worked in my DVD player! It's the Ys 6 Movie Collection. I assume it would be region 2, but, I suppose there's the possibility that it would be regionless? Anyone know about this?
If all you are wanting to do is make a backup of a different region disc, and not modify anything, the easiest way is:
Use AnyDVD (or DVD43), then make an image or copy using Alcohol 120%, or some other disc imaging program (keep in mind, it should show Region 1 or Region ALL on disc type when you go to make the image), then burn.
As an alternative, you can use AnyDVD (or DVD43), and then use DVD Decrypter in ISO Read mode to make an image of the disc, but Alcohol 120% is much faster. You can do the same with DVD Shrink as well, or cut out audio languages/subs or other stuff if you are burning onto a DVD5 and the disc you have is a DVD9 (dual layer), which most usually are these days.
Also, if you have the plain files extracted on to your hard drive, and you just need to change the region: on DVD Decrypter, go to Tools, IFO, Region Patch, and then select the region you want, it should then ask you for the IFO or BUP file to patch.
As for the Ys disc, it could be regionless. If you bought it directly from Falcom, I wouldn't worry about it.
What is so great about videos that are from another region? I hate anime with a passion, so I doubt I'd ever have any reason to import anything.
Out of anyone, you were one of the last people I would expect to be asking a question like that, especially since you work with video so much.
If you throw anime out the window as a reason of importing, there are still plenty of reasons, as it applies to most films:
1. IF you have a surround system that can take advantage of DTS, a lot of JP and European DVDs will usually have a DTS audio option, while the US versions will not, and only have Dolby Digital. DTS is not as popular in the US, as it is in the rest of the world. Anyone that knows anything about audio and the differences between DTS and Dolby, will tell you that DTS is better. Also, the bitrates on the DTS that is usually released on US discs, is usually half-bitrate at 768kbit, versus foreign discs usually being at 1536kbit. There is constant discussions about 448kbit Dolby 5.1 being better than 768kbit (half bitrate) DTS, but I believe it all depends on the movie. Now, given this is all about DVD, all of the stuff that is on HDDVD and BluRay is a different story, b/c it is usually uncompressed.
2. Video Bitrates on JP and Euro releases are usually higher than US versions. Especially JP releases, which have better Contrast levels, due to NTSC JP being IRE 0, versus NTSC US being IRE 7.5. Mastering also tends to be better as well.
3. Extra features not found on US releases that are on foreign ones: varies from movie to movie, but I personally like watching foreign trailers, etc. There is usually always something on foreign releases that are not on US ones. Also, a lot of countries get Special Editions, not to mention JP cover art, and everything else that goes along with it all. Extras tend to be plentiful on JP releases compared to US ones.
4. Movies / Videos that are just not released in the US correctly or at all, and may not ever be...dare I bother making a list? I have at least a few in my collection that will never be released over here, or correctly. Example: Kill Bill 1 (if you like the movie) is unedited in Japan, while over here in the US, they not only cut out parts, but made one scene completely black and white, while it was in color on the US releases. Blame the MPAA for those types of blunders; I don't care what Tarantino said about it being a different version or cut: when you completely remove scenes, it's considered EDITED!
If those aren't reasons enough for you (or you just don't care), then keep on doing what you are doing.
