Job Discussion Forums

Saudi4Ever · Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 135

I'm ordering some things from amazon.com and would like to know if any of you have purschased a DVD player for your pc or tv in the Middle East, that is compatable with american DVDs.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Likely not unless you have a multi-system DVD player...

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

All DVD players in the Middle East are multi-system. If the manufacturer doesn't issue them that way, the retailer chips them.

abufletcher · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:53 pm Post subject:

Isn't the issue the "region code" on the DVD? When I think of multi-system I think of NTSC/PAL/SECAM which is a whole different thing.

I didn't realize it was possible to buy a DVD player that could play DVDs with any region code. Is this what rechiping them does?

Saudi4Ever · Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 135

I have heard of 'code free' DVD players, perhaps that is what they mean. I also thought that the multi-system was refering to VHS players. The kids playstation 2 that was purschased in Saudi does not play all regions.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

They are called region-free. I bought one in Japan at costco for about $150. There are also ways to convert a player to make it region-free.

DesertStar · Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 80 Location: UAE Oasis

All DVD players in Gulf are multisystem. Same goes for TV sets. I went in and bought the first DVD player I saw at Carrefour, all my US bought DVDs played fine.

Go ahead with your order Smile

.

zilzal · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 9

Not all players in the Gulf are multi-system...I bought a DVD player in Saudi a month ago, and just realized it's only Region 2! Caveat Emptor! Embarassed

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

What about the voltage. I have a region-free dvd player that works in NA and Japan, what is required to use it in the Middle East? Would it not even be worth bringing it?

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:07 am Post subject:

I have a fairly basic Philips DVD player which I bought in Riyadh.

Although the packaging labels it "Region 2" (or 3, can't remember), thus far I have had no trouble playing any of the disks I've tried, some of which were bought in Europe, others in the US.

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:08 am Post subject:

I have a fairly basic Philips DVD player which I bought in Riyadh.

Although the packaging labels it "Region 2" (or 3, can't remember), thus far I have had no trouble playing any of the disks I've tried, some of which were bought in Europe, others in the US.

As for voltage, I believe most DVD players are automatic voltage. In KSA, both 220v and 110v are in common use, with the latter being, unfortunately, more usual. Don't know about any of the other Gulf countries.