Criteria B

Region coding is a simple task which developers use to lock out certain DVD’s from certain areas. Region coding is done within the data in one the DVD. Only one byte of information determines the region code for the particular DVD, this corresponding byte is read by the DVD, depending on the region the DVD will read or not read the DVD. The actual content of the DVD is unchanged in all regions its just the one bye out of the millions to billions of bytes which determines whether or not the DVD will be read by the corresponding DVD reader.

This byte is stored on the DVD by the aluminum which the DVD is made out of, microscopic bumps and valleys represent the binary code with in 740 by 2000 nanometers is one byte of information (depending whether of nor the DVD is double layered)

The byte which is made out of 8 bits, which is able to generate characters such as numbers or letters. This is the very basics of computer coding, it’s the computer language in its purest form, binary form.

This code can be bypassed by many software today even in laptops there is a limited amount of time for which the region code can be changes. The DVD reader reads the microscopic bumps and valleys and converts them into images and other forms of information.

Overall the technology behind region coding is simply the technology behind DVD’s and encoding information. The simplicity of this seems ironic considering the issues it has caused in today’s modern world considering the fact that one byte is what creates technological borders on the globe.

Criteria A dvd region coding

Criteria A

In today’s world of entertainment, there are virtually 2 sides of the world, region 1, and region 2 (there are 8 in total however, region 1 and 2 are the largest). Region coding was first purposed when products such as movies, were not released simultaneously around the world, thus by region coding them, it wouldn’t be possible to play that same movie in an area which the movie was not released.

However, today region coding has come to be a nuisance that people have to deal with, due to the fact that media is released simultaneously around the world. Region coding creates issues due to the fact that region coding will make a DVD useless unless it is played with a DVD player which is compatible with that region, and as more and more people order online or travel, region coding can prove to be an issue (DVD Region Codes - What You Need To Know). This is also an issue for manufacturers, when producing the DVD’s they must create other DVD’s with different region coding in order to insure worldwide sales.

This is an issue of globalization due to the fact that it is affecting the growth of globalization and limiting the spread of media between these region code areas. As entertainment in the form of movies, or games becomes more of a worldwide leisure pursuit, due to globalization, region coding sets boundaries of where customers are able to use the product they have purchased.

The future of entertainment will hopefully have no boundaries, and will be fully accessible to anyone in the world and compatible anywhere in the world.

Silva, Robert. "DVD Region Codes - What You Need To Know." about. 24 Jan. 2009

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