Cable Forum - View Single Post - Blu-Ray players

Tezcatlipoca · 28-08-2010, 19:29

AFAIK, there is no "fair use" provision in UK law to make "backups" of DVDs, whether they are yours or not.

Copying a DVD that you own is still copyright infringement, plus also involves bypassing the "technical measures" put in place to protect the copyright (e.g. CSS), which is a separate civil offence.

Hell, it's also still technically illegal in the UK to rip your own CDs and convert them to another format for transfer to a portable media player. [although I believe there was talk of changing that]

Still, I don't personally see any moral issue with "backing up" something that you genuinely own, even if it's technically a breach of copyright.

Anyway, re. regions...

Blu-rays and DVDs have their own separate region coding system.

AFAIK, some Blu-ray players can be made (or are already sold) region free for Blu-rays, some can be made (or are already sold) region free for DVDs, some can be made (or are already sold) region free for both.

Although DVDs are almost always region coded, many Blu-ray Discs are sold region free (e.g. I believe that Warner's BDs are never region coded). I use my PS3 as a BD player, & have imported many discs from the US, even though the PS3 is region locked for BD & DVD.

As Kymmy said, just check to see if the player(s) you're interested in are, or can be made, region free.

Anonymouse, what is the series you want to buy?

28-08-2010, 19:29	#6
Tezcatlipoca Inactive Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cambridge Posts: 16,760	Re: Blu-Ray players AFAIK, there is no "fair use" provision in UK law to make "backups" of DVDs, whether they are yours or not. Copying a DVD that you own is still copyright infringement, plus also involves bypassing the "technical measures" put in place to protect the copyright (e.g. CSS), which is a separate civil offence. Hell, it's also still technically illegal in the UK to rip your own CDs and convert them to another format for transfer to a portable media player. [although I believe there was talk of changing that] Still, I don't personally see any moral issue with "backing up" something that you genuinely own, even if it's technically a breach of copyright. Anyway, re. regions... Blu-rays and DVDs have their own separate region coding system. AFAIK, some Blu-ray players can be made (or are already sold) region free for Blu-rays, some can be made (or are already sold) region free for DVDs, some can be made (or are already sold) region free for both. Although DVDs are almost always region coded, many Blu-ray Discs are sold region free (e.g. I believe that Warner's BDs are never region coded). I use my PS3 as a BD player, & have imported many discs from the US, even though the PS3 is region locked for BD & DVD. As Kymmy said, just check to see if the player(s) you're interested in are, or can be made, region free. Anonymouse, what is the series you want to buy?