Pioneer DV-505 Region 4 Mod

This modification will allow a Pioneer DV-505 Region 4 to be set to a specific region (eg region 1) to allow playback of all disks. Like all modifications, I presume that this modification VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY. Also, be aware that this modification worked on my player, but USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK. I take no responsibility for you stuffing up your player - there are plenty of people who will modify your player for you for a reasonable fee if you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. Having said that, however, this is actually a very simple modification to perform if you have reasonable skills with a soldering iron. IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE INSTRUCTIONS, DON'T DO IT.

I read a message on the alt.video.dvd newsgroup (I think) the other day, where someone was discussing the way they did this mod. Since they were not competent with a soldering iron, they bought some conductive paint (like that which is used on rear window demisters in cars) and painted the two pads together. I can't vouch for this method, but it sounds reasonable in theory.

Hardware Modification Instructions

1. Open the player up (7 screws - 4 on the side, 3 on the back)
2. Remove the 4 screws holding down the PC board on the right side of the unit (this will also loosen the RF shield on the board). Be aware of the left rear screw which has a cable tidy attached which you will need to replace later when you put everything back in place.
3. Unplug the shielded lead from the right rear of the PC board
4. You will now be able to lift the PC board away from its mount. I suggest lifting the right side of the board & flipping it like a page from a book until it is at about a 45 degree angle.
5. Place your player on its side so that the UNDERSIDE of the PC board is easily visible to you and easily accessible to you.
6. Looking at the PC board now, locate a section on the near left side of the board which looks like the picture below.


Here is a photo of the relevant section of the PC board to guide you.



7. Solder the two pads nearest to you together. 
8. Put the player back together.

To change the region on your player, do the following, using the remote control, before inserting the disc you want to play.

1. Press Menu
2. Select Initial from the Setup Menu and press Enter
3. Now press Display on the Remote control. This will expand the information displayed to include the currently selected region.
4. Press Condition on the Remote
5. Choose the region by selecting a number on the numeric keypad (1 - 8 are valid)
6. Press Menu again to save the region code.
7. Play your disc.