Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I play foreign (non-region 1) DVDs in the library?

Playing non-region 1 DVDs in the library can present some challenges, not least of which is that different DVDs from different regions behave in different ways when played on different (and sometimes the same) hardware. Here are some steps to take that should make them playable.


  1. This is the best option: The library has three multi-region DVD/VHS players. One is located in the Digital Media Lab, and the other stations are in the Ground Floor Reading Room.

  2. Neither Mac desktops nor laptops will play non-region 1 DVDs, so PCs are your only option for play in the library.

  3. When you place the disk into the DVD drive a menu should pop up asking what you wish to do with the disk. The default option will probably be Windows Media Player. Select instead the VLC player. Windows Media Player is NOT the best choice of application to play DVDs, as it will almost always fail. Instead choose the VLC VideoLAN Media Player. Its control buttons are familiar to anyone who has played a DVD on a regular player.

  4. If that doesn't work, if DVD playback has problems (no sound or garbled sound, no image or garbled image), click the Stop button on the player to stop playback. Click the Media drop down menu on the VLC player, then select Open Folder. Navigate to the DVD drive and open the folder VIDEO_TS, and click OK. This may be enough to make the DVD play properly.

  5. If these steps fail to allow the DVD to play, another option is to check out a USB external DVD drive from the Technology Lending desk. Plug the drive into any available USB port on a library PC, and allow the computer to find and load the drive. After 20-30 seconds, insert the disk into the external drive and follow the previous steps in order. The external drive works better with some non-region 1 DVDs than internal DVD players.

    6. #0380 | 2012-02-29 DD

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