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Region Problem WinDVD for BD

derrickpetr

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When I try to play the Blu ray Disc, "Kingdom of Heaven", I get an error message saying that the DVD player is of the wrong region although it is a region B disc and my WinDVD for BD player is set to Region B.

Regions free (I think)Blu ray discs - Casino Royale and Superman play OK

Any DVD settings are:-
Summary for drive H: (AnyDVD 6.1.5.4)
MATSHITA BD-MLT UJ-215S D110 11/29/06SE33 M
Drive (Hardware) Region: 2
Media is a Blu-Ray disc.
Total size: 21659520 sectors (42303 MBytes)
Video Blu-Ray label: 38641275_KINGDOM_OF_HEAVEN
Media is AACS protected!
Removed AACS copy protection!

This makes reference to region 2 NOT region B whilst the info tab on WinDVD setup states:-
OS:
Windows VISTA
Version:
8.0 DXVA B08.095
Navigation:
Type: BDMV
Region: B
Drive: H:
TV System: Unspecified.
Macrovision Level: 0
CGMS Level: 3
Video:
Hardware:
Vendor: Nvidia
Connection type: DXVA2_ModeMPEG2_IDCT
Downstream renderer: CLSID_DisplayServer
Stream:
Type: Encrypted MPEG2
Bitrate: 29.000 Mbps
Framerate: 29.970 Hz
Resolution: 1920x1080
Aspect ratio: 16x9
Audio:
Info not available
CPU:
Name: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6400 @ 2.13GHz

Sony (who are worse than useless) are making noises about being out of warranty due to the installation of regions free software - which I denied.

Does AnyDVD 6.1.5.4 cause this issue or am I safe in assuming this has got nothing to do with your great product?

PS Still cannot get my backed up non-encrypted files to play on WinDVD BD - According to PEER this is an ongoing issue with WinDVD

http://forum.slysoft.com/showthread.php?t=3406

HELP
 
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Hi there!

It seems we are on the same VAIO-boat here... ;)

The main problem is (like you also wrote, Peer of this forum has found out) that "WinDVD BD for Vaio" won't play unencrypted content, thus it refuses to even start playback with AnyDVD HD running.

Now back to your topic: have you tried to change the BD-region within the WinDVD prog? I had the same problem with a FOX region B disc ("League of the Extraordinary Gentlemen"). I was amazed to find that WinDVD BD was set to region A though I bought my machine in Europe! After I changed it from region A to B the "soft-locked" region-B discs play fine with WinDVD BD! It reduced the number of change-times though... but oh well... still have a few times left 'till a solution is found!

If you run out of changes, there would be 2 solutions:

1) windvd grey-out clickbox enabler tool
(I found it while browsing this topic here: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=120869&page=10 (scroll to the bottom of the page, 2nd to last post))

It seems to enable "grey-outed" click-boxes and the likes, thus enables to change the region within WinDVD even after the allowed 5 times! I haven't checked it yet...

2) Another kind forum member here has managed to find where both WinDVD and PowerDVD store their respective region-code-changes-remaining files/information within Windows XP. He even found the same location for PowerDVD in Windows Vista!

Now if there could be a way to locate the same information for WinDVD BD under Vista, the region-problem would be gone!!! I must admit I have no clue where to look for it, I know it must be there somewhere... maybe somebody can shed some light into this??? Please??? :bowdown: :bowdown:

---> Now for something else: unnoticed to most users Sony and Intervideo have issued a new update for WinDVD BD for Vaio. It is now in version 8.0.08.100!!!!

You can get the update here: Newest WinDVD BD for Vaio (8.0.08.100)!!!!

It is quite a big download (170MB). The setup is the "-UN" version, thus it is the international version and is in English! It works both as a full installer or as an updater!!!

I've installed it and it has zeroed-out all my previous issues. Blu-ray playback is smooth as never before... a dream!!!

Ah, and since you'll most probably have the Nvidia 7600GT on your Vaio... well, whou would have thought it, but again Sony has an update on the drivers that fixes the sille HDMI probs of the last version (7.15.10.9812).
The newest version is 7.15.10.9813 and it fixes sooo many bugs that I can't even start to list here! It is a worthwile update, until it shows up on the several "localized/national" Vaio sites, you can get it here: Nvidia for Vaio 7.15.10.9813

Now the only thing missing are some updated compatible Sigmatel HD-Audio drivers...

And like you wrote... this issue has absolutely nothing to do with the great AnyDVD HD!!! It is Intervideo/Sony and the whole Blu-ray thingy that's screwed-up...

Oh well... but I guess it is here to stay... isn't it?

Anyway, I hope all this was of some help...

All the best

Petros
 
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Thanks Petros for your speedy reply

Yes it's an overpriced and under-supported Sony.

Installed the Sony WinDVD update yesterday (8.0.08.095) when disc would not play. So older and newer versions have same issue.

Like you factory default region was set to region A - I'm in the EU - I changed it to region B - but still will not play a FOX disc (Kingdom of Heaven). Warner Bros and Columbia (Superman and Casino Royale) are OK.

On board Sigmatel audio is bad - I am currently using an Audigy 2 USB external card for SPDIF passthro to HT amp with 5:1 speakers - any better solution welcome?

WinDVD for BD will not play with AnyDVD running (in system tray) need to EXIT then play BD disc - this means I cannot back-up on the fly - need to do it when not watching Blu-ray.

I will download newest version (8.0.08.100) from Sony Link you gave me then try a clean re-instal of Windvd - is it correct I can un-instal current version then run a full re-instal for download?

Some posts sayPowerDVD ultra is better - do you know if I can run them both on the same Machine?

Yes Thanks a million for Sony Japan links - I will update Nividia 7600GT drivers ASAP

Excellent Forum and Product - AnyDVD that is
 
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Hi there!

Yes it's an overpriced and under-supported Sony.

Yup... but a feast for the eyes... ;) (Just kidding!) But speaking of overpriced notebooks... now the Toshiba Cosmio G30-126 is what I'd call "overpriced"...!

Installed the Sony WinDVD update yesterday when disc would not play. So old and new versions same problem.

Like you factory default region was set to A I'm in EU - I changed it to B - but still will not play a FOX disc .

Now I just have to shout: OMG, FOX!!!
Argh!!!! I still remember when Fox first entered the simple DVD-arena and we all joined the boycott against them, as they were overpriced and offered absolutely NOTHING!!!
Well done Fox... here we go again!!! Nice way to butcher your potential market!!! Keep on... :clap:

On board sigmatel audio is bad - I am currently using an Audigy 2 USB external card for SPDIF passthro to amp with 5:1 speakers - any better solution welcome?

OK, what is your Vaio? Since you are in the EU, I gues it'd be the VGN-AR31S (or the 21S updated to Vista)?
On my 31S the audio using the optical output (the combined optical/headphones jack) is pretty good and I did not encounter any probs. I only mentioned the fact that newer drivers are supposedly needed for a better playback with PowerDVD Ulta.

What is your driver signature and version number for the Sigmatel driver?

WinDVD for BD will not play with AnyDVD running (in system tray) need to EXIT then play BD disc - this means I cannot back-up on the fly - need to do it when not watching Blu-ray.

Yep, I know... it is a pain...:(
The new (2911) version (the FULL one, not the update) of PowerDVD Ultra 7.3 works fine on my Vaio. The freeze-up problems and most of the stuttering has gone, and as of now it seems PowerDVD is the only program that will play unencrypted content, thus it happily co-exists with AnyDVD HD! Maybe that would be a solution for you? I took the plunge and bought it, so I could try out the full 2911 version and I must say, it was worth it! Still not perfect, but it is getting there...!

Maybe I should try a clean reinstal of Windvd from Sony site - is it correct I can uninstal current version then run a full reinstal from download at Sony site?

OK, as far as I know, it is supposed to be a full install OR an updater. This is what I understand from the supplied readme file (thanks to Babelfish translator!).

I need to get back to work now, but I'll do a clean install for you as soon as I'm back home this evening. I'll post the results here later tonight.

Got to go now... Will be back later...

All the best from Greece

Petros
 
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Petros - You are a STAR

Dowloaded WinDVD 8.0.08.100 from Sony link - uninstalled v8.0.08.095 - restart then installed v100 - no problem at all - Region B by default and plays Fox Blu-ray - and the rest.

Next tonight I will upgrade graphics driver and instal PowerDVD ultra so as I can play my un-encrypted backed-up files at the weekend

PS - my machine is an VGX-XL302 and the Sigmatel driver is v6.10.5379.0 from Sony at
http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/down...voe_en_GB_cons&category=0&serie=VGN-FE&m=2551.

Thanks Again
 
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Hi there and good morning!

Petros - You are a STAR

Dowloaded WinDVD 8.0.08.100 from Sony link - uninstalled v8.0.08.095 - restart then installed v100 - no problem at all - Region B by default...

I'm glad it all worked out for you.
I've also verified doing a full install that the WinDVD BD 8.0.08.100 from the Sony ftp-link is working as a full installer as well. And it does indeed default to region B for Blu-rays... I guess Sony finally discovered the EU?? ;)

... and plays Fox Blu-ray - and the rest.

One more "foxy" sidekick: if they keep on postponing their release dates, there'll soon be no Fox Blu-rays to play anyway... so the pain might just be over!!! Was actually waiting for the European release of "The Day after Tomorrow", but it seems there'll be many more days after a lot of tomorrows before they release it... Once more, well done Fox! Bravo for taking care of your market! :doh:

(I'm sorry... I just had to do it!!)

(... yes, I know... we should actually just boycott the whole BD thingy... but... oh but... ;) )

Next tonight I will upgrade graphics driver and instal PowerDVD ultra so as I can play my un-encrypted backed-up files at the weekend

PS - my machine is an VGX-XL302 and the Sigmatel driver is v6.10.5379.0 from Sony at
http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/down...voe_en_GB_cons&category=0&serie=VGN-FE&m=2551.

Thanks Again

I must admit I thought you had a Vaio notebook (hence my comments at my first reply). I have no experience with the VGX series of desktop models, but sure enough Sony kept you guys more up-to-date than they kept their notebooks customers: the graphics driver 7.15.10.9813 has yet to appear on the VGN-AR series page, but it has been on the VGX series drivers page.

It is funny how one has to turn into a detective of some sort to find out the best possible help for something so expensive a a Vaio, and to get the most out of it. Well, as they saying goes... It's a Sony! :doh:

Yep the Sigmatel driver you mention is the one I have too...
I managed to locate a newer one (version 6.10.5405.0). Unhappily it installs just fine on the VGN-AR31S but after the restart, the audio just won't start-up at all and Sigmatel fails under the device manager. I reverted back to the version you also have for a working configuration.

Maybe the 5405 version works for your VGX? You can download them here: Sigmatel STAC 92xx Audio Driver 6.10.5405

I'll keep on looking and trying for newer (and compatible) drivers...

Well, that is all for now.

All the best & have a good day everybody!

Petros
 
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... the graphics driver 7.15.10.9813 has yet to appear on the VGN-AR series page...

This driver is indeed present on Sony Asia-Pacific website here:

http://www.css.ap.sony.com/vaio/

And more specifically here (download list for AR38 model):

http://www.css.ap.sony.com/VAIO/Website/General/DownloadList.aspx?Model=VGN-AR38G

The page also has audio driver (version 6.10.5379.0)

Also, I installed "WinDVD BD for VAIO" downloaded from the link you provided. It works fine with original discs, but does not have an option to playback from folders on hard drive. It does not support unencrypted content on disc either (you have to disable AnyDVD to make it work). It seems to support full 1920x1080 resolution though. Interestingly, it switches Windows Vista to "Basic" (non-Aero) mode the same way and at the same time (right at the start of playback) as PowerDVD does.

By the way, do you know the link to the full installer (not an update) for VAIO Edit Components 6.2.00.13300 (maybe from the same Japanese web site)? Unfortunately Sony does not provide installers for all the programs which are originally installed on VAIO, and to get some of them back, you have to restore the whole system from the special hard drive partition, which I do not want to do.
 
Hello, SuperGoof!

Hello, SuperGoof,

Thank you very much for finding a way to reset the Blu-Ray-Region counter of PowerDVD Ultra :clap: . Could you please also tell us how WinDVD Platinum manages its Blu-Ray Region data in XP and Vista (another Forum user says this has been already found out, but unfortunately I cannot find the information :( ).

With this information, one could write a Blu-Ray-Region reset tool that supports BOTH PowerDVD Ultra AND WinDVD Platinum--the Blu-Ray equivalent of "DVD Genie."

Thank you in advance and many greetings, :)

A Friend
 
Hello SuperGoof!

Yes, it is rather strange how Sony updates its web-sites... the European vaio-link.com site still lists the 7.15.10.9812 as the most recent.
Funny how Sony tunrs us into detectives, when it comes to locating the best drivers for their stuff... oh well...

As for WinDVD BD for Vaio and its limitations, well indeed that is true.

I've tried all possible solutions, I even tried the IO-data version (now there you really need to be a hunter for solutions...;) ). But it has an even bigger flaw/limitation: it won't even play commercial discs...!!!!

So it was back to the Vaio version. I must say that other than the fact that it won't play unencrypted content (thus needing to disable AnyDVD HD) and that it won't play from HDD folders, it is by far better than PowerDVD Ultra when it comes to Blu-ray playback! And indeed it does not down-convert the signal (like the infamous Japanese 8.0 release did, that was pulled) and plays in full 1920x1080 res.

At least on my machine it is still the only player software that plays Blu-ray discs absolutely smooth & crisp. No stutters, no hick-ups no nothing!!! PowerDVD Ultra 7.3 (the 2911 one) is better than the older versions, but it still suffers from a "shaky" playback (lot's of quick "mini-stutters" or whatever that can be called).

Like "A Friend" remarked, if we could find out where WinDVD BD stores its Blu-ray region information, then one of the biggest problems (at least for Vaio users) would be eliminated.
I have no clue where to look, but if you have a hint, I'll try my best to be of help in locating it...

By the way, do you know the link to the full installer (not an update) for VAIO Edit Components 6.2.00.13300 (maybe from the same Japanese web site)? Unfortunately Sony does not provide installers for all the programs which are originally installed on VAIO, and to get some of them back, you have to restore the whole system from the special hard drive partition, which I do not want to do.

There is one way to get to the original setup files... it is described over at the vaio forums (credit goes to the original poster over there).
You'll need to create the recovery DVDs using the system-restore prog of your Vaio. The 2nd DVD you'll create contains the applications. They are compressed into pac-files, but you can use a proggy called kcap.exe to extract them.

It can be found here: Get kcap

Copy the entire 2nd DVD (Applications Restore Disc) to your HDD (it speeds up the extracting process of kcap.exe) and then run the proggy like this:

use the command prompt (click on "Start" then "Run", type CMD and hit enter), then type:
[path to kpac.exe] kpac.exe [path to pac file] xx.pac [destination for the extracted files].

for example: c:\kcap.exe d:\STUFF\Vaio\blabla-0123456-00.pac d:\STUFF\Extracted

(the folder to extract the files to needs to be created first)

I'm not at home right now, so I can't tell you the exact pac-file you'd need to extract in order to get to the Vaio Edit Components setup fines, but if you take the plunge to extract all the pac files (a tedious and long process, I know), you'll end up with a rather useful set of original setup files for all the progys and utils that came pre-installed on your Vaio. That'll come very handy, in case the system needs to be re-installed (or better "de-Sonyed" or "de-Vaioed")!

I'll try to locate the correct file for you later tonight, when I get back home.

I also did a quick web-search and came up with the following 3 links that might be useful. I'm not sure, but the 1st one looks like the base-setup of Vaio Edit Components 4.0 (a full installer). On top of that, you can use the 2nd link to update it to version 5.X and then you can run the 6.X update(s).

1) version 4: VAIO Edit Components 4.0

2) Update to version 5: VAIO Edit Components Ver.5.0.01

3) Update to version 6: VAIO Edit Components Ver.6.1

I don't know if it'll work like this, but it'll be worth trying it...

Well, I need to get back to work now. I hope this has helped a bit... :)

And if you could provide me/us with a hint or two as to where to look (or where to start looking) for the WinDVD BD Blu-ray region "storage location", I'll start the hunt as soon as possible!

All the best from Greece

Petros
 
And if you could provide me/us with a hint or two as to where to look (or where to start looking) for the WinDVD BD Blu-ray region "storage location", I'll start the hunt as soon as possible!

To begin, you can download a program called "Process Monitor" from www.sysinternals.com (the link will actually lead you to Microsoft's web site as Microsoft bought Sysinternals recently), then run the program and monitor what the process "WinDVD.exe" does when you change Blu-ray region setting. It took me about half an hour to figure out what PowerDVD does. Some time ago I started looking at WinDVD too (the VAIO version you provided), and even found what file it accesses, but that file (some small file in system32 folder, do not remember its exact name now) turned out to be locked by System process, so I could not see what is inside, could not copy it, delete etc. I could only see its content when I logged in to another OS (Vista), but I did not continue experiments partly because I did not have time and partly because I do not really see much sense in using WinDVD due to its restrictions.

Thanks for the link to "kcap" program. It can be usefull. Will test it on those VAIO Backup DVDs, which I created long time ago.

Answering to "A Friend", I'm not going to write a program which resets regions in PowerDVD and WinDVD. Instructions how to do it are enough, I think. Also we have AnyDVD which largely eliminates this region problem.
 
Sorry for intruding but do you know:
1. If the Vaio WinDVD version plays in non Vaio PCs.
2. If there is finally available a WinDVD version for HD DVD and BR discs
Thanks
 
Sorry for intruding but do you know:
1. If the Vaio WinDVD version plays in non Vaio PCs.
2. If there is finally available a WinDVD version for HD DVD and BR discs
Thanks

Sorry:
1. no
2. no

(unless I'm not up to date with 2, but 1 is for sure...)
 
Sorry:
1. no
2. no

(unless I'm not up to date with 2, but 1 is for sure...)
Thanks, that was also my knowledge - I was hoping that I was missing something the last weeks.
 
Sorry for intruding but do you know:
1. If the Vaio WinDVD version plays in non Vaio PCs.
2. If there is finally available a WinDVD version for HD DVD and BR discs
Thanks

Intervideo have now released WinDVD for HD and BD but it appears to ONLY work with GeForce Series 8XXX cards

See below
http://www.intervideo.com/nVidia/WinDVD8_3in1_landing.jsp

Anyone tried it yet??? I've only got a GeForce 7600GT
 
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How to reset Blu-ray region counter in InterVideo WinDVD BD for VAIO Ver.8.0.08.100.

Like "A Friend" remarked, if we could find out where WinDVD BD stores its Blu-ray region information, then one of the biggest problems (at least for Vaio users) would be eliminated.

Due to popular demand, I conducted some research and here it is:

Guide: How to reset Blu-ray region counter in InterVideo WinDVD BD for VAIO Ver.8.0.08.100.

1) Download a program called "Autoruns" from www.sysinternals.com.

2) Run autoruns.exe, go to "Drivers" tab and disable driver called "regi" (regi.sys). Just untick the checkbox next to it. Note: Do not delete it.

3) Restart Windows.

4) Delete file "ivireg.ivr" in "C:\Windows\System32\" folder.

5) Re-enable "regi" driver using Autoruns (tick the checkbox).

6) Restart Windows.

File "ivireg.ivr" will be recreated with default settings and you can change BD region from WinDVD interface 5 more times before you have to repeat this procedure.

Enjoy!

P.S.: If you have a dual boot system (say, XP and Vista), you can just boot to another OS and delete "ivireg.ivr" from there.
 
Blu-Ray-Region Reset

Hello, SuperGoof,

Bravo for finding a way to reset WinDVD BD's counter :clap:. But this procedure sounds very complex, so I would like to ask again whether you --or someone else-- could write a little reset-tool that does the necessary things. It could also reset PowerDVD Ultra's counter.

Thank you and many greetings, :)

A Friend
 
Thank You So Much!!!

Hello SuperGoof!

I can't thank you enough for all your help! :bowdown:
It is really appreciated, I mean it! Due to my workload (rather heavy again these days) at work, I did not have the time to try to find the solution myself (using the helpful inputs from your last post)...

... and now I just strolled back along, and what do my weary eyes see??

You've made it happen for ALL of us!!! THANK YOU! :bowdown:

I'm sure all the Vaio owners appreciate what you've done a lot! I certainly do for sure! :clap: :clap:

Take care & all the best from Greece

Petros
 
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