Hello to everyone.
I really need your help because I will go mad. After some search and a lot of great words I read here, I downloaded AnyDVD's Trial version. Let me just say that, for now, I only want to watch Region-free DVDs and I am not very interested in burning yet. But since I own a lot of R1 DVDs, (I live in Greece) I thought why not be able to watch them on my laptop, too .
Unfortunately, I only tried a couple of Warner R1 DVDs and they worked just fine. So, very excited, I went ahead and bought the License key. BUT, EVERY OTHER Studio's R1 DVD I put afterwards (Fox, Disney, PBS, Buena Vista), I got the same dreaded message. DVD may be dirty, or it is from another region etc. I KNOW it's from another region, that's the reason I bought this program !!!
I tried Safe mode, setting the Region on AnyDVD's menu, uninstalling and re-installing...nothing. Only Warner plays with no problem. Of course R2 ones play fine.
I am getting crazy, because there's no way that the program is that limited, since you all say it works fine. I am doing something wrong, but I don't know what. Can anyone please help ? I don't want to do anything with firmware, because I am not an expert and I am afraid I'll damage my new Laptop.
My Laptop is a Sony Vaio VGN-FJ3S/W and the driver is a MATSHITA DVD- RAM UJ 850S 1.00. My OS is Windows XP Home Edition.
Any help will be immensely appreciated !!! Thank you in advance !

Under AnyDVD 'Video DVD' >> 'Settings' >> Do you have the region code 'feature removal' checked?

Bad news: Matsushita drives will not play CSS protected titles from another region. This is not a problem related to AnyDVD, no software can fix this.
Either exchange the internal drive to something better, or use an external USB2/FireWire drive.
Sorry (Don't shoot the messanger).

Panosxxx -

Below is Forum Posting by SlySoft (James) and explains why AnyDVD doesn’t work on region mismatched CSS protected DVDs on Matsushita (Panasonic) Drives ->

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.ph...40&postcount=2

BeLooken

Thank you for your answers. I can't help but feel cheated by Slysoft now. Shouldn't they mention that CLEARLY, before buying the licence ??? Of course it's my fault too, for being so quick to buy. Forgive my ignorance, but why then does it play only titles from Warner ??? Logically it shouldn't play anything ! Can I change the drive in a laptop ? Because I was told that you can only touch and upgrade hard disc and RAM memory on them, nothing else.
Do you think by downloading and installing new firmware, it will fix the problem ? How dangerous is the "flashing" procedure I read about ? Any link to the specific firmware ? Sorry for all my questions, but you guys are my only hope !

Panosxxx –

It is your Matsushita DVD- RAM UJ 850S DVD Burner that was purposely and deliberately designed to be Region Locked and it’s not SlySoft AnyDVD software program fault that it was designed in this manner. There is NO software program that will defeat the Region Lock of your Matsushita DVD- RAM UJ 850S DVD Burner. If you are displeased with your Matsushita DVD- RAM UJ 850S DVD Burner Region Lock design you should be contacting Matsushita/Panasonic and voice your displeasure there.


Possible the below Web Link will provide some useful information concerning your Matsushita (Panasonic) DVD Burner ->

http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?...r=asc&&start=0


Concerning Matsushita DVD- RAM UJ 850S Firmware ->

There is no RPC1 (Region Free) firmware available for your Matsushita DVD- RAM UJ 850S and as the above referenced Web Link explains there is very little hope that there will ever be any RPC1 (Region Free) Firmware available. However you currently have version 1.00 Firmware installed and there is a version 1.01 Firmware available. This version 1.01 Firmware will improve burning quality on some DVD Media but unfortunately it will not do anything to correct your Region Code Lock problem.

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=2315

BeLooken

Thank you for your answer.
But I still think that AnyDVD SHOULD state, before buying, which drivers the software doesn't support. I didn't see something like that, maybe I missed it. I am not a programmer or analyst, or even an expert, so when, as a consumer, I read that a program unlocks "all" regions on "all" drivers, and it's caled ANYDVD !!!, I believe I am entitled to know the exceptions beforehand. That's how I feel and maybe I am wrong.
It's true, I should have researched more and I don't consider the software a waste of money, since after all, I can at least watch Warner's discs (though I still don't understand how). I am just a bit dissapointed, because I was hoping I was doing something wrong with the setup. No big deal, peace.

@ Panosxxx,

All is not hopeless, Nowadays changing a DVD-RW on a laptop is rather simple. If you were to research where you could purchase a new drive in your area, it most likely will be as simple as removing one screw and sliding out the Matsushita and sliding in the new DVD-RW (making sure it seats properly) and replacing the one screw.
Simple as that!!
Well lets hope it is in your laptops case.

Thank you MBK. Looks that way in my Vaio, turned it around and it looks like it is one screw trouble only. Any suggestions on brand ? Which is the easiest DVD-RW to mess with ? :-)

Maybe a LITE-ON, those are easy to make RPC-1 (Region Free) with a simple app. like "LtnRPC".

Yes, from a little research, I am leaning towards a Lite-on, a Pioneer or a Nec. Thanks

I would lean towards the Liteon, but thats just me. How come you left out the new Samsung SH182D?

OP
your user name is quite apporpriate to your problem
matsushita = panasonic

Actually, it's my true first name LOL
As for brands, well, I just started looking around. All I want is a good, preferably dual-layer drive, that will be easily and hassle-freely installed on my Vaio and that it will allow me to watch R1 DVDs with AnyDVd software. And that is available in the Greek market, preferably. I'd love it if it didn't need firmwares and patches and flashing etc. even if it's a little bit on the pricey side. From what I read, the most popular on the Greek market are NECs and everyone is raving about Plextor's quality. But if they don't work perfectly with AnyDVD, I could just as well keep my Matshita one !
And on a side-note, you guys are being great and very helpful, thanks for your time