How do I choose a zone to play a DVD on my computer?

Start>Control Panel>System>"Hardware" tab>"Device Manager" panel>Device Manager>DVD/CD-ROM drives. Locate and select the appropriate device (your DVD-ROM drive); click to highlight it. Right-click on the highlight, select "Properties", select the "DVD Region" tab and set whatever region you want. Note: Pay attention to the warning before playing with this; the 4th change you make is the last one that drive gets; ain't no more, and ain't no going back.

DVD Regions



Some DVD-ROMs and DVD players can be hacked, either with software/firmware modifications alone or via hardware modification, or both. Doing so will void any warranty you may have. Your toy, your call, your risk.

DVD-ROM Region Hacks

DVD Player Region Hacks

(Note: No endorsement implied, use at your own risk. Some folks have encountered significant inconvenience, major disappointment, considerable dismay, and additional expense. Enjoy.)

What is this "zone" thing? How does it affect DVDs and what's the point?

Commercial prerecorded DVDs generally are encoded to play only in the zone in which they were purchased. The point is protection of intellectual property - so they say.

Cash.
Staggered release and the wave of hype that goes with it generating more sales.
Cash basically.
The robbing b*stards.