sa online reviews mukang region free ang mga pioneer dvd players. although it says a certain region sa likod. (my dv120 is region 3). haven't tried it for myself though. and from what i read japanese dvds lang ang di niya kaya ma play. hence the indication on the box that says not fpr use in japan
The box and the unit have "Region 3" markings because they're complying with DVD licensing requirements. However, since region-locking would adversely affect sales figures, most manufacturers unlock the region coding on the unit itself, which is a violation of licensing requirements.
That's been going on for a long time in Asian regions. The DVD Forum doesn't mind anymore, as long as royalties are paid.
I don't think the "Not for use in Japan" label means it won't play Japanese DVDs. Because if it can't play Japanese DVDs, then it won't play Japanese DVDs whether you're in Japan or outside of Japan.
The purpose is probably for Japanese taxation. The unit is intended for export only. But it can be sold in Japan to foreign tourists, provided that the buyer will only use it outside Japan.
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To those interested in this model, I recommend that you buy it now, before stocks run out.
Pioneer and Sharp signed a joint verture agreement in 2009. The current line of DVD players might be the last Pioneer-made ones. The next line might be Sharp-made DVD players rebadged as Pioneer.
That's what happened to Pioneer BD players. Ever wonder why former king of optical disc players makes bad BD players? Pio BD players are rebadged Sharp units.
