Page 1 of Sony RDR-GXD500 multi-region hack - please confirm if it works

I`ve been told that the multi-region hack for the Sony RDR-GXD500, a DVB-tuner DVD-Recorder, is the same as the hack for the Sony DVP-NS355 player.

Here`s the Sony DVP-NS355 multi-region hack. Could anybody with an RDR-GXD500, or any RDR series DVD recorder, confirm if the following hack works for it, please.

Get a One-For-All universal remote that has a DVD key and a "magic" key, such as the One-For-All-4.

* Select DVD device on remote
* Hold magic button until double flash on DVD key
* Enter device code 0533

Now program function code 189 into button 1 like this:

1. Hold magic button until double flash on DVD key
2. Press 994
3. Press magic button (don`t hold)
4. Press 189
5. Press 1 - double flash indicates success

Advanced OFA remotes such as the Kameleon have five digit function codes, in which case, press 00189 for step 4 above.

Now program function codes into buttons 2-5 like this:

* Repeat steps 1-3, then 255 2
* Repeat steps 1-3, then 095 3
* Repeat steps 1-3, then 221 4
* Repeat steps 1-3, then 079 5

Now the actual conversion of the DVD player to region-free:

* Put DVD player on standby and point remote at it.
* Press 12345 - "SUCCESS" is displayed, and player starts up
* Press 12345 - Player goes back to standby

The DVD player is now multi-region. Clear the programmed keys on the remote by removing the batteries for a while.

Now please report success or failure in this thread, and which Sony player/recorder you tried it on.

I`ve successfully converted a Sony RDR-GXD500 digital-tuner DVD-recorder it to multiregion with a One-For-All remote using more or less the same procedure that works for the Sony DVP-NS355. This involves sending five special custom-programmed codes. If you do a web search, you can find ways to program these codes into a Palm Pilot, or a laptop with an IR port. But the cheapest way, if you don`t already have one of those is with an OFA remote which costs about £20. Here`s the process:

Get a One-For-All universal remote that has a DVD key and a "magic" key,
such as the One-For-All-4.

* Select DVD device on OFA remote
* Hold magic key until double flash on DVD key
* Enter device code 0533

The DVD recorder must be set to remote command mode "DVD1" with its own remote (Page 21 of the manual):

* System-Menu -> Setup -> Options -> Command-Mode
* Select DVD1
* Set remote`s Command-Mode switch (under the cover) to DVD-1
* Verify that recorder can be switched on and off with both remotes

Now program function code 189 into button 1 of the OFA remote like this:

1. Hold magic button until double flash on DVD key
2. Press 994
3. Press magic button (don`t hold)
4. Press 189
5. Press 1 - double flash indicates success

Advanced OFA remotes such as the Kameleon have five digit function
codes, in which case, press 00189 for step 4 above.

Now program function codes into buttons 2-5 like this:

* Repeat steps 1-3, then 255 2
* Repeat steps 1-3, then 095 3
* Repeat steps 1-3, then 221 4
* Repeat steps 1-3, then 079 5

Now the actual conversion of the RDR-GXD500 DVD recorder to region-free:

* Put DVD recorder on standby and point OFA remote at it.
* Press 12345 - "TIMER OK" is displayed, and recorder starts up
* Press 12345 - Recorder goes back to standby

The RDR-GXD500 DVD recorder is now multi-region. Clear the programmed keys on the
OFA remote by removing the batteries for a while.

Hi Farry,
I seem to be having no luck programming the OFA, when I try steps 1-5 I get a double flash after step 2, but not after step 5. What might I be doing wrong? Any help would be great!

-importdiscs

A few points that`ve been causing confusion.

In the main multiregion-hack guides on this site, I see that the hack for the RDR-GXD500 recorder is also given as the hack for the DVP-NS355 player. Just note that the part of the hack that referrs to the setting of the DVD-1 switch is specific to recent Sony players/recorders which have that switch - which doesn`t include the DVP-NS355.

The main RDR-GXD500 hack guide says that it converts the recorder to Region-1 compatible. To be exact, the hack allows the recorder to play disks from all regions.

Only Region-4 and European Region-2 players/recorders can be converted to multi-region with this hack. The RDR-GXD500 is only available as R-2, but the DVP-NS355 is available in other regions so not all versions of that player can be converted.

I believe that the hack works with most R2/R4 Sony players and recorders from 2000 onwards.

Some people say that they`ve not been able to program the special function codes into the OFA remote. If you find this, please state the exact model number of the remote, and whether you`ve tried both 3-digit and 5-digit codes as shown earlier in this thread.

This item was edited on Sunday, 5th February 2006, 18:14

Folks

To Clear things up a little

Sony Players Cannot be Hacked for Free using the Handset Supplied with the Player

Some Can be Hacked using a One For All type remote or using other programming Methods for Example a Palm Pilot

See this Link for Info on these Methods (look under Sony on the Hacks Page ) the Various methods and info on Models than can be hacked via these methods are covered quite a lot

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214212

Also as you have read some of those Methods are also described in Previous Posts in this thread.

Otherwise you will need the Services of a Chipping Company to help you achieve Multi Region

Here is an Example of one of these Companies

http://www.multiregionupgrades.com/upgrades/sony.htm

But there are Many out there and a Google search will help you locate them

Also be aware that if your Sony Player / Recorder is a Region 1 (NTSC) Player even if made Multiregion it will not be able to play R2 PAL / European disks only Japanese R2 (NTSC) as the Player / Recorder is NOT able to read PAL...Only Multi Format European Based Sony`s are Able to Read PAL. & NTSC and can only they can be made "Truly" Multiregion.

Hope this helps...even if only a little

Happy Hacking

Hackeroonie

This item was edited on Sunday, 5th February 2006, 13:27