Why I Love VLC Media Player

I don’t fully understand why DVDs have regional settings. I know it has something to do with trying to limit hit movies from coming out on DVD before they are released in all markets in the world, but I’ve also seen enough bootlegs here in China to know that there have to be better ways to prevent piracy than to cause headaches for, say, someone trying to practice her Chinese by watching Sponge-Bob in Mandarin.

Or, should I say, Hǎi Mián Bǎo Bǎo.

Anyway, I found software that allows you to play DVDs from any region on your PC: VLC Media Player. It was designed for educational use so that instructors could play DVDs from anywhere in their classrooms, and it works great. If you are going to be traveling, or if you have access to DVDs from other countries, download and give it whirl!