DVD playback error message - Playback Prohibited by Area Limitations

William-Bryan wrote on 3/11/2021, 4:00 PM

Up graded to Photostory Deluxe 2021 in November 2020. DVDs created will play on my computer and dvd player. Some dvd players in our family will not play the show. Dvd's from previous Photostory versions play fine on those players. Error msg: Playback Prohibited by Area Limitations. I am in the USA. Could the new software by a European version? Should I redownload the new software? Wondering if the problem centers around Region Codes. Thanks

Comments

browj2 wrote on 3/11/2021, 5:32 PM

@William-Bryan

Hi,

When you burn, make sure that you are using NTSC and not PAL. This includes the project settings. You have undoubtedly used PAL. The frame rate should be 29.97 fps and not 25 fps.

When your on the DVD burn screen, click on the preset dropdown and make sure that you have selected Standard DVD NTSC and not PAL.

John CB

William-Bryan wrote on 3/11/2021, 5:51 PM

John Thanks. I did notice that it defaulted to PAL and tried burning with NTSC widescreen. Got same result. Is Widescreen a problem? Did not change rate. Where do I set the frame rate? Bill

johnebaker wrote on 3/12/2021, 4:21 AM

@William-Bryan

. . . . Wondering if the problem centers around Region Codes. . . . .

It could be, however Photostory does not determine which region codes are used. This is set in the DVD/BD burner.

Are you still using the same burner as previously? If not check its region code in Windows Device Manager, right click the burner and select Properties, DVD Region tab.

Are you still using the same make/type of DVD disc? If they are DVD+R discs try using DVD-R - they have less problems with DVD players.

HTH

John EB

William-Bryan wrote on 3/12/2021, 9:37 AM

John I have felt all along it had something to do with Region. As you suggested I checked the burner and it came up "not selected". Have selected Region 1 and will burn a new disc and try it on the dvd players that have given us trouble. I use -R discs. Might be a few days before I can fully test new dvd show. Will get back. Thanks Bill

ps Just did test new disk on one of the dvd players and it worked fine. Will check others next week.

3/20/21 Resolution

John I have tested the new dvds and they WORK FINE on all our dvd players including Blu-ray players. PROBLEM was indeed the REGION CODE which was Unselected on my new HP computer. I have changed that to Region 1 for US location. When burning, I use NTSC widescreen. If the machine is turned off and then back on, it will default to PAL, so I make sure to change it to the NTSC setting. The NTSC setting seems to stay at that selection as long as the machine is not turned off.

Want to thank you John, for your help and I hope our discussion might be of some value to others who may be having the same problem I had.

Thanks Bill