Commercial DVD discs come with embedded regional codes that are used by studios to reasonably control which content is available to which area. This is sometimes done to appease local standards of decency or morality or to offer different language sets that might be more relevant in some regions than in others. Those who enjoy DVDs but not like being limited by region codes need to look into code free DVD players.

There are hardware based code free DVD players, software based code free DVD players and software based code free DVD enables. The latter two options require a computer as they are simply programs that allow one to watch their favorite DVDs on a computer regardless of where the computer and DVDs were manufactured. In many cases such software can also strip a DVD of its copy protection scheme and thus allow it to be copied, even if that is against the wishes of the manufacturer. Whether or not this is legal is a matter of constant debate in many circles, especially because both studios and consumers wishing to make backups of their movies have laws that state in relatively clear language that each side is correct in their stance on this particular subject.

This legal disagreement may one day be sorted out properly but there is no indication as to which way the argument will eventually be settled. Being on the wrong side of this particular problem may land one in trouble if their hardware and/or software is deemed to be illegal.

Hardware code free DVD players are likely to be the subject of the most intense problems if laws eventually favor the studios and DVD manufacturers. This is mostly attributable to the fact that few permit others to wantonly search their computer overtly, but many hardware based code free DVD players proudly display their code free status on their exterior in the form of badges that would be noticed they were missing or as part of the exterior shell molding of a given code free DVD player.

At the time of this writing it is possible to buy code free DVD players from a number of major bands including, but not necessarily limited to: Coby Electronics, Denon, JWin, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba and Yamaha. There are several other hardware based code free DVD players on the market as well, though one should do their homework before buying as many vendors buy regular DVD players and then alter their hardware and resell them with or without re-branding. Attempting to return a damaged or defection unit for a replacement or repairs could have unforeseen and probably regrettable consequences.

Many software based code free DVD players are free or available for a very modest sum of money and few hardware based code free DVD players cost more than $50.