Page 1 of Calling all Alba 113 Owners

Is it macro free/ region free out of the box?
My dad`s just got one, but the tv`s an old`un with no scart, so wanted to put it through the video.

the alba 113 is region free out of the box, but it is not macrovision free.
I am still looking for a hack for this myself , If i find one i will post it on this site hope you will do the same if you find it first.

do they play cdrs & cdrws?

My dad also got one for christmas, here is what i have learned from various posts:

MACROVISION FREE - No (However I managed to record a DVD with no problems - do some not contain the protection)? No hack yet.

REGION FREE - Yes, ish (Apparently will play region 1 out of the box however may lock to that region). No Hack yet.

FIRMWARE - If you have a red display call Alba 0208 7873111 for an update CD. If Green/White U R OK.

CDR/MP3 - No (However I think I saw somewhere that Discrite (white label) work, i presume this is a brand but have not tried, my CDR`s don`t work).

Also Argos were supplying the DVD104 as an alternative when no DVD113`s were available, this was truly Multiregion plus CDR and MP3 compatible.

Not entirely conclusive but might help somebody, now PLEASE find the hacks someone.

EDIT - If someone could confirm audio CDR`s working that would be fantastic.

This item was edited on Saturday, 29th December 2001, 18:39

My dad got 1 for christmas and it plays vcds that r on cdrs but dont know about cdrs with an album on because i havent tried them yet also is there a remote hack so i can watch dvds from other regions no luck yet finding ne please help!

Can anyone confirm whether the DVD113 locks to a region eventually?
Does this do anything to help:

Power on your player
Press Open/Close
Press Zoom
Press a/b
Press Up Left Dowm Right
The DVD player may show a Region free message

Also is there a definative guide to using Music/VCD CDR`s as I have trouble, other than white label CDR`s is there anything extra like settings for Nero?

The dvd player plays any vcd on a CDR apart from some really cheap make of disc that is gold underneath and is seethrough soo dont use them if your copying vcds ok!

I`ve just recorded two VCD,s Using Nero 5.5.5.1 and TDK CD-R74 REFLEX CD`s. Tryed them in my alba 113 at first they didn`t work so I switched off the machine for two or three seconds with the disc still in the machine and powered it up again and it worked, All the zero`s came up and it played automaticly.
I`ve read in a mag that it will play MP3`s, anybody know how to write them. Do you just plonk them on a disc or do you need a file or program on the disc as well

I just burnt them all stragght on the disc alone using nero. I haven`t tried using different directories or anything.

No special settings are needed although i would try and keep it all standard.

I tryed just burning them straight on a cd but still comes up no disc. Can you tell me how you did it on yours please.
I`ve found out that my 113 will play CDRW`s better than cdr`s, most of the time it will not play cdr`s.
I rang alba for the upgrade disc you have tobe in front of your dvd at the time. It took 30mins to get through, but the girl said it you have a green display no upgrade is needed and they will not send you the disc. She also said that alba do not make a multi region player and although the113 will play region 1 now, it will lock at some point and there is not return.She also said now that i`ve played region 1 dvd`s my garentee is now void and they will not replace it if it goes wrong. (nice people). I said So if it goes wrong they will know i,ve been playing region1? ... If it locks yes .
Anyway help with mp3 playing please