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        Play American DVDs on Japanese     [Image][Image]   [Image]
        PlayStation 2                             Data Feed

        [03.11.00] » Simple controller            Read the
        codes make it possible.                   latest
                                                  gaming
           Two simple controller codes     [Image]news.     [Image][Image]
        have recently surfaced that make          Archives
        it possible to play Region 1              Catch up
        (North America) DVDs on the               on older
        PlayStation 2, a Region 2 (Japan          news
        and Asia) DVD player. Much like           stories.
        console videogames, DVDs are
        region encoded to dissuade         [Image][Image]   [Image]
        consumers from importing titles           [Image]
        from outside of the country. It
        was previously believed that the
        PlayStation 2 would only play
        Region 2 DVDs.

           These codes currently only
        work with about 50% frequency. We
        are currently unsure why they do
        not work 100% of the time; we
        believe they may be dependent on
        how hard the user presses the
        Dual Shock 2's analog buttons. If
        you own a PS2 and Region 1
        movies, the GIA is interested in
        hearing about your experiences
        with the code, especially if you
        find a way to make Region 1
        movies play with greater
        frequency. Please e-mail
        staff@thegia.com with the movie
        tested, code used, and the tries
        / success ratio.

           Both codes should be entered
        when the PlayStation 2 DVD bootup
        sequence begins fading to black.
        The buttons should be held until
        either the DVD movie starts up (1
        line of Japanese) or a "region
        failed" message appears (2 lines
        of Japanese). If you get a region
        failed message, don't despair;
        just try again. The same disc
        will work some times and not
        others.

           The first code comes from the
        GIA's own J.T. Kauffman; it is
        apparently circulating Japanese
        message boards and web sites. The
        code is: hold down L1, Circle,
        and Select. This code has worked
        with both the Dual Shock 1 and 2
        with about 40% accuracy.

           The second code comes from a
        friend of the GIA known as
        Barubary. The code is: press in
        L3 (the left analog stick)
        straight and hard. This code does
        not work with the Dual Shock 1,
        but works with the Dual Shock 2
        with about 60% accuracy.

           While these codes certainly
        leave room for improvement, the
        advent of any region bypass is
        good news for system importers
        and DVD fans. The GIA will keep
        you posted on any new
        developments on the PS2 DVD
        front.

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