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Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek


#78091 26-Feb-2011 21:45
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About a month ago I upgraded our DVD recorder to a Panasonic XW380.  I now find that my large collection of (legitimately purchased) Hungarian DVDs won't play on this device  because of DRM-region restrictions.  Unbelievable considering my previous Panasonic was region-free.  (My bad for trusting the judgement of others, but I should have checked this before forking out several hundreds of $$$'s on a XW380.)  

Google suggests that you can only make the XW380 region-free if you buy a particular piece of hardware and software (and, presumably, the moon is in the ascendancy, and you hold your tongue in the right position  ....). Whatever.

I have two questions, dear Geekzoners, 1) is there an easy way to make the XW380 region free? and, if not, 2) what do you recommend as an equivalent region-free DVD recorder?  

(p.s. If you see a XW380 for sale on TradeMe in the next couple days, don't ask the seller if it is region-free!)




Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand


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B1GGLZ
1961 posts

Uber Geek


  #443810 27-Feb-2011 09:17
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I believe if you take it in to Next Electronics (if they are still trading) with the purchase receipt they will make it region free (for DVD only, not BluRay) at Panasonic's expense.
They did this with my Panasonic EH-59 when I bought it.



Dunnersfella
4086 posts

Uber Geek


  #443831 27-Feb-2011 10:16
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This has been covered numerous times on GZ.
All you need to do is take a copy of your invoice to your local Panasonic service agent - they will region free the DVD playback, then charge Panasonic.
You can do this any time in the first 12 months of ownership.
Unfortunately Next Electronics are no longer trading, so to find out where to go, I recommend asking the store where you purchased your Pana unit from.

Chainsaw
357 posts

Ultimate Geek




Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #444315 1-Mar-2011 08:07
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Chainsaw: Take it here with your receipt:
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie...



Thank you! and that is so handy to where I work in Petone. Much appreciated. 




Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand


Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek


#444465 1-Mar-2011 14:48
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Tinshed:
Chainsaw: Take it here with your receipt:
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie...



Thank you! and that is so handy to where I work in Petone. Much appreciated. 


Spoke to Hanlons/Tisco and they are all good with this. Just bring it in and they will fix it same day.  




Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand


Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek


#444899 2-Mar-2011 17:28
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Tinshed:
Tinshed:
Chainsaw: Take it here with your receipt:
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie...



Thank you! and that is so handy to where I work in Petone. Much appreciated. 


Spoke to Hanlons/Tisco and they are all good with this. Just bring it in and they will fix it same day.  


Took it in today and all sorted in 5 minutes.




Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand


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