Last update : xx/06/1999
Region Playback Control Management
To watch DVD-Video discs on DVD-Video players you just need to match the Region Code of the DVD-Video disc with the Region Code of the DVD-Video player.
However, in the case of PC systems, there are two types
of RPC management on the market:
RPC Phase-1 - The RPC code of the PC system is managed by the DVD Video decoder inside the
PC system.
RPC Phase-2 - The RPC code of the PC system is managed by a DVD-ROM or RAM drive.
Table 1. Playing compatibility
Region code of DVD Player | ||||||
Region code of Title | 1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
All | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
1 | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
2 | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
: | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
DVD Video Decoder for PC systems
There are three(3) types of DVD-Video decoder in market.
Type 1 : The RPC code has been set by the manufacturer and cannot be changed.
Type 2 : The RPC code can be changed up to the maximum of four times.
Type 3 : With RPC Phase 2 drives, the DVD-Video decoder copies the
same region code as the drive.
For Type 2 DVD-Video decoders, you are requested to set it to the region code which is
appropriate for your region. Please note that you can only alter the region code
setting four(4) times after the initial setting. Once you have reached this limit, it may
not be possible to change the RPC code of that DVD-Video decoder
again.
If you have any questions about your DVD-Video decoder, please ask at your point of
purchase. Because Hitachi does not manufacture DVD-Video decoders, it cannot support
questions of this type.
DVD Drives for PC systems
There are two types of DVD-ROM or RAM drives in the market.
Type 1 : Drives that possess an RPC code inside.
Type 2 : Drives that do NOT possess an RPC code inside.
Hitachi describes Type 1 drives as "RPC Phase 1 drives"
and Type 2 drives as "RPC Phase 2 drives".
Table 2. Who manages the RPC code
DVD Drive | ||
DVD Decoder | RPC Phase 1 | RPC Phase 2 |
Type 1 | Decoder | Decoder & Drive |
Type 2 | Decoder | Decoder & Drive |
Type 3 | Decoder | Drive |
You can see from the table above that if your DVD drive is an RPC Phase 1 drive, you
need to use a decoder that possesses an RPC code that matches the DVD-Video disc.
If your DVD Drive is an RPC Phase 2 drive, then you might need to match the RPC code of
DVD Video title to that of the DVD decoder as well as the DVD drive.
Note: If you bought a PC with DVD-Video play back
ability, it is normal practise for the PC manufacturer to implement the appropriate RPC
code. If you wish to change the RPC code, you will be doing so at your own risk.
Table 3. Implementation of RPC to Hitachi DVD drives
Model | . | RPC | Comments |
GD-2000BV | 2X DVD-ROM | RPC Phase 1 | All |
GD-2500BV and BVH | 4Xmax DVD-ROM | RPC Phase 1 | RPC Phase 2 in some OEM models |
GD-2500BX and BXH | 6Xmax DVD-ROM | RPC Phase 1 | RPC Phase 2 in some OEM models |
GD-5000BV | 8Xmax DVD-ROM | RPC Phase 2 | All |
GF-1000 | DVD-RAM ATAPI | RPC Phase 2 | All |
GF-1050 | DVD-RAM SCSI | RPC Phase 2 | All |
Hitachi Europe Ltd.