DVD "Region Error"

[charleclar-156]

I purchased a DVD of "Dinner for One" from Retro Star Music some time ago, 9/28/1921.

At the time I contacted them to make certain it was in English. 

(I had not tried to play it till recently.)

It cannot be played. All I get is a message of "Region Error"

Is there a way to get around this?  Can it be played at all here in Missouri?

If it cannot be played here, why was it sold to me?

Thank you for your help with this.

[donsdetour]

You bought this in 1921: I want you time machine.....

Sounds like to me throw it away....

[soh.maryl]

Assuming your purchase was in 2021, you had 60 days to open an item not as described case with eBay, 180 days to open a case with Paypal and probably about that same time with your credit card.

Sorry.  

[lamber9347]

I don't mean to sound condescending but I'm going to answer your question, why was this sold to you? Because you purchased it. You, as the buyer, are expected to review the listing you are interested in. Just because the movie is in English doesn't mean it will be playable on your system. The seller will not know what system you have, so the onus is upon the buyer to verify. Unfortunately, you are out of luck but now you've learned more about DVD movies, and this will never happen to you again. Best of luck to you.... 

[1786davycrockett]

This may be helpful to you in the future:

These are the DVD region codes:

• Region 1 - Canada, the United States and U.S. territories.
• Region 2 - Japan, Europe, South Africa, the Middle East (including Egypt) and Greenland.
• Region 3 - Southeast Asia, and East Asia (including Hong Kong).
• Region 4 - Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean.
• Region 5 - Eastern Europe, Russia, the Indian Subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, and Mongolia.
• Region 6 - China.
• Region 7 - reserved for unspecified special use.
• Region 8 - Special international venues for air and oceanic travel.
•  

Since you live in Missouri, the only "Region" that will be play on your device will be Region 1 (or, if indicated on the DVD case, "All Regions").

It is your responsibility to know the DVD Region in which you live, since the seller is not provided that information.

Since you are well beyond the returns period, there's nothing that you can do, and nothing that eBay can do for you.

[fab_finds4u]

I'm sorry this happened. The region should've been in the listing details. I personally don't  look or care because I have an all regions player. You should get one. They're pretty cheap now. 

[2013grotz]

@1786davycrockett gets most of the detail right on a response to you.  DVDs (and blu-ray for that matter) have region codes attached to them in order to differentiate content for different parts of the world (like overdubs and subtitles and such).  These things do tend to float about, depending on where you can get them.  People move, people travel, and so forth.   For example, I picked up a Canadian DVD at a local thrift store (about 1000 miles or more away from the Canadian border) about a  week ago I haven't gotten around to listing yet.  No region problems or nothing (still Region 1), but definitely different in a few ways.

The key when you buy is to be doubly-sure of what you're getting (the seller should have that labeled in the ad).   When you get a DVD you should be able to study the packaging and what-not.  Quickest way to tell is looking for the specific rating mark - if it looks different than standard US, you got something foreign.  As far as salvaging your purchase, if you got access to a computer with some tech knowledge, you might able to get it into a spot where you can play it.  But that's far beyond the scope of this forum. 

Or if you don't want to go that far, relist it (correctly) and see what happens.

[2013grotz]

And... I thought I'd add a pic to further the educational purposes of Post #5 since I went to snap pics of movies to list:

The region tag is the second icon from the left on the bottom.  That means the DVD I took this pic of is a Region 1 disc.  Course the whole "Not authorized for sale outside the USA and Canada" verbiage will red-flag you on the region too.

[1786davycrockett]

"@1786davycrockett gets most of the detail right on a response to you."

Well, geesh, 2013grotz, I sure hope so -- I copied that information directly from the Sony website.

So -- what did SONY get wrong?

[2013grotz]

What you posted was completely right.  I just thought of some things to add is all.  Maybe I just wrote it wrong, but was just trying to say if I were to make my own full response is I'd say what you did plus what I did. 

[1786davycrockett]

Whew -- that's a relief -- I was just about to load up all my Sony products in the U-Haul, and try to get a HUGE refund from Best Buy.

No probs, bro!

[charleclar-156]

All interesting.  I did not know anything about regions... until now.  I was just thrilled to fine wi "Dinner for One" (I hope you all have seen it:  CLASSIC!)   I was not looking for a refund at all.

Now that I know I will check on the all regions player.  Thank you all for your responses and help.