What is region coding?

Imposed by the film studios due to the staggered theatrical release of movies worldwide and to protect exclusive markets, region coding was designed as a method of ensuring discs would be playable only in certain geographical locations.

• Region 1: The US, US territories, Canada
• Region 2: Europe, Japan, Middle East, Egypt, South Africa, Greenland
• Region 3: Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong
• Region 4: Mexico, South America, Central America, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Caribbean
• Region 5: Russia (former USSR), Eastern Europe, India, most of Africa, North Korea, Mongolia
• Region 6: China