Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Incomplete region code change on 596

I got my new 596 on Saturday & followed the '596 Issues' string, using Hyperterminal.

It worked in as much as it changed the region from R2 to R1; however, it's now an R1 only DVD player, seemingly.

Did I do something wrong, or perhaps not send the last command properly? Any ideas?

Thanks - Paul

I would just make sure you have Version 1.21 software not 1.2(Press Display on front panel several times till it shows one or other).There was a problem with 1.2 which has been corrected with 1.21 which is available from Meridian's website.Other than that just make sure to press Return in between commands regardless of what's on-screen and it should become region-free.
Manus

Thanks Manus - I do have 1.21, I checked.

Just so I understand - I still need to load the command string from 596 Issues (that's done); I DID press return after each line. It ISN'T region free though, it's R1 only.

Do you think maybe I should just enter a few returns after the last line to make sure it loaded OK?

Paul

I think there is another recent thread where someone's 596 was locking to region 1 and it was recommended that they set up the pc with 596 off(not in standby) and go from there.It took us 4 or 5 attempts to get it right but it will work eventually and it is worth it!!
One return at the end should be enough,it won't acknowledge the commands anyway as far as I know.Just disconnect and try one or two discs of different regions to confirm.
Manus

Thanks Manus - I'll give it a try tonight. I'd be surprised if it will respond to Hyperterminal with the power turned off but who knows?

Paul

Sorry Paul,I should've been clearer,I meant to set up the Com and Hyperterminal in advance and then turn on 596 and start typing !
Mea Culpa,
Manus

Paul,
Two thoughts that may help:

1) When you go through this process you don't end up with a player which is 'region free' or 'region zero'. The player should accept and play a DVD of any region but if asked by the disc, will report that it is a 'region 1' player. Disregard what the 'Information' menu on the 596 or any disgnostic DVD tells you: they will still say that the player is Region One. The way to check if the process has worked is to try playing a region 2 disc.

2) If that doesn't fix it, try running the hyperterminal dialog again but this time replace the '%z 1f' command with '%z 2'. You should now have a true 'region 2' player. Once more, using this time using '%z 1' - the player should now become a true region 1 device. If this little test works you know that the hyperlink comms is working correctly, and we'll have to go back to the drawing board on why you aren't getting the results you need.

- Pete

Thanks Pete & Manus -

What actually happens is that I get a 'Wrong Region ?' message. It didn't occur to me to then try playing that disk - is that what you are suggesting?

I did assume from the '596 Issues' post that the original string made it region free & rce compatible. I'll be bloody disappointed if that doesn't prove to be the case!!!

Thanks guys.

Paul

Paul,

When the process has worked you should not get a message when playing any disc - it should just play. The message that you are seeing implies that the commands you've issued have not yet succeeding in making the player 'region free' and my first surmise was probably wrong.

The point I was making is that after it has worked, your player's Information menu will still say that it is 'Region 1', and not to worry: you can pop in a region 2 disc and it will play just fine.

I have not got any DVDs that I am sure have RCE checking; on the other hand I have loads of DVDs from the studios that created and promoted RCE and they all play.

- Pete

Thanks Pete - the situation, to me, seems exactly as you have described it. So I will just try again tonight & hopefully succeed.

I'll do it slower, quicker, crossing my fingers, looking the other way etc. until it works. Which I am sure it will!

Thanks - Paul

Boys boys boys - where would I be without you?

Thanks to everyone who chipped in with my query - particularly Manus - the turn off trick seemed to do it.

For a while there I thought I'd bought an expensive door stop!

Regards & thanks again

Paul

Nice one !,
Treat yourself to a pod-race or a tall blue diva and don't forget your CD's !
And don't forget to set the alarm for work tomorrow!!!
Manus