Re: [Videolib] DVD Region Problems

[Brian W Boling]

Hi Amy,

At the first DMCA rulemaking in 2000, there was a proposal that users
should be able to convert non-US DVDs to US formats.  The Registrar of
Copyrights and Librarian of Congress at that time denied the request for
this exemption, writing:

The region coding also seems to result in inconvenience rather than
actual or likely harm,
because there are numerous options available to individuals seeking
access to this
foreign content (PAL converters to view foreign videotapes, limited
reset of region code option
on DVD players, or purchase of players set to different codes).
(from http://www.copyright.gov/fedreg/2000/65fr64555.html)

My advice would be to have one or two multi-region players on hand at the
library for patron use, and to warn professors that they will not be able
to view the content on North American standalone machines.  Though, as Judy
points out, computers can also handle non-standard discs pretty well!

Brian Boling
Media Services Librarian
Temple University Libraries
brian.bol...@temple.edu
Schedule a meeting during my office hours


On Tue, Aug 30, 2016 at 2:48 PM, Chadwell, Amy 
wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> How do you handle situations when a professor wants a foreign language
> film that is only available in a non-US region format?
> Do you purchase the item and warn the professor of how the item will
> likely not play on standard players, but that it would be possible to play
> on a computer after switching regions?
> Would it be illegal to make one copy of the film that is region-free or
> region 1 for ease of student use and destroy or lock away the original? If
> you have done this, how did you do it?
>
> You can reply off list if you like to achad...@highpoint.edu
>
> Thank you for any insight you may have.
>
> Amy Chadwell
>
> [cid:11C81220-3EA6-496F-818C-15A5B3561BCA]
>
> VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of
> issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic
> control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in
> libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as
> an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of
> communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video
> producers and distributors.
>
>
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.

Re: [Videolib] DVD Region Problems

[Meghann Matwichuk]

Hello Amy,

We make sure the instructor understands that the DVD is a non-region 1 
(and sometimes PAL) DVD, and that they / their students will require 
specialized equipment to play it.  We do have multi-region DVD and 
Blu-ray players in our viewing carrels, so users can view them on-site 
when we're open.  We also have a multi-region DVD player installed in 
our on-site Viewing Room's rack system, which can be reserved for 
classes of less than 50 students.  The instructors who teach various 
foreign cinemas (German, Italian, etc.) usually have their own 
multi-region players at home and are familiar with the attendant 
technological issues.


We don't recommend using DVD drives for playback for these discs because 
they can sometimes 'lock' on a region after a certain number of 
switches.  (Also, DVD drives are becoming less common on new laptops.)


We do not convert regions and would consider that problematic from a 
copyright standpoint.  It's essentially a matter of convenience, which 
is not a good basis for an argument re: DMCA, Fair Use, etc.


Best,

--

Meghann Matwichuk, M.S.
Associate Librarian
Coordinator, Film & Video Collection
Morris Library, University of Delaware
181 S. College Ave.
Newark, DE 19717
(302) 831-1475
https://library.udel.edu/filmandvideo



On 8/30/2016 2:48 PM, Chadwell, Amy wrote:

Hi All,

How do you handle situations when a professor wants a foreign language film 
that is only available in a non-US region format?
Do you purchase the item and warn the professor of how the item will likely not 
play on standard players, but that it would be possible to play on a computer 
after switching regions?
Would it be illegal to make one copy of the film that is region-free or region 
1 for ease of student use and destroy or lock away the original? If you have 
done this, how did you do it?

You can reply off list if you like to achad...@highpoint.edu

Thank you for any insight you may have.

Amy Chadwell

[cid:11C81220-3EA6-496F-818C-15A5B3561BCA]



VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.


VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.

Re: [Videolib] DVD Region Problems

[Kankiewicz, Michael]

Hi All,

How do you handle situations when a professor wants a foreign language film 
that is only available in a non-US region format?
Do you purchase the item and warn the professor of how the item will likely not 
play on standard players, but that it would be possible to play on a computer 
after switching regions?
Would it be illegal to make one copy of the film that is region-free or region 
1 for ease of student use and destroy or lock away the original? If you have 
done this, how did you do it?

You can reply off list if you like to achad...@highpoint.edu

Thank you for any insight you may have.

Amy Chadwell



Amy and all,

We do not make copies or recommend they change the region on their computer.  
Rather, we recommend they download the free VLC Media Player.  It will play 
most anything. 

http://www.videolan.org/

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/


Michael


Michael Kankiewicz
Manager, Silverman Multimedia Center
320D Capen Hall
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260

P - (716) 645-1329
F - (716) 645-3710
e - micha...@buffalo.edu

VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.

Re: [Videolib] DVD Region Problems

[Shoaf,Judith P]

VLC player will play all regions on a computer without switching regions. There 
was one blip once where this was not true for a month or so, but they fixed it. 
Using a computer is the best solution because it also skips over the format 
question (PAL vs. NTSC).

Judy, who has a pile of region-free but also non-converting DVD players in the 
closet.

Judy Shoaf

-Original Message-
From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu 
[mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Chadwell, Amy
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2016 2:49 PM
To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu
Subject: [Videolib] DVD Region Problems

Hi All,

How do you handle situations when a professor wants a foreign language film 
that is only available in a non-US region format?
Do you purchase the item and warn the professor of how the item will likely not 
play on standard players, but that it would be possible to play on a computer 
after switching regions?
Would it be illegal to make one copy of the film that is region-free or region 
1 for ease of student use and destroy or lock away the original? If you have 
done this, how did you do it?

You can reply off list if you like to achad...@highpoint.edu

Thank you for any insight you may have.

Amy Chadwell

[cid:11C81220-3EA6-496F-818C-15A5B3561BCA]

VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.

[Videolib] DVD Region Problems

[Chadwell, Amy]

Hi All,

How do you handle situations when a professor wants a foreign language film 
that is only available in a non-US region format?
Do you purchase the item and warn the professor of how the item will likely not 
play on standard players, but that it would be possible to play on a computer 
after switching regions?
Would it be illegal to make one copy of the film that is region-free or region 
1 for ease of student use and destroy or lock away the original? If you have 
done this, how did you do it?

You can reply off list if you like to achad...@highpoint.edu

Thank you for any insight you may have.

Amy Chadwell

[cid:11C81220-3EA6-496F-818C-15A5B3561BCA]
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.