The Firmware Page

Is the firmware file located at http://files.rpc1.org/index.php?act=view&id=5764 to make this drive RPC1 which would enable anydvd hd to work properly? Or, is this just the manufacture update?

I ask because I am looking at buying a blu-ray burner (or player for that matter) which I can play any region DVD or Blu-ray? I already have the Panasonic UJ240AS in my notebook which I am finding that there is no rpc1 patch and anydvd hd does not work.

I am hoping that this LG WH10LS30K (http://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-Blu-Ray-Software-WH10LS30K/dp/B0037FSYQC/ref=lh_ni_t) has an rpc1 patch.

Thanks.

You would have all answers already if you had read our FAQ.

The firmware from sentence #1 is not regioncode free of course, otherwise it had been mentioned.

It's really not clear looking at the link if something is region free, update, or what have you. Nothing in the FAQ (faq.php or http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html or http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html) makes it very clear. Thanks for clearing up so I will be holding off on buying this LG drive.

So, if I understand correctly, in order for the AnyDVD HD or other software to work, then the the drive has to have a RPC1 patch applied.

1. No, that's not correct. AnyDVD or AnyDVD HD will work with the drive 'as is'. Panasonic/MatSHITa drives are the exception from the rule.
2. Renesas based LG drives such the one you mention are amongst the very few which can actually be made Auto RPC2 using MCSE, but if you're using AnyDVD then you don't actually need to do this.

Just to make it clear: all this stuff about RPC1 vs RPC2 only applies to DVD discs not to BluRay discs. If you want your drive to be 'region free' for both DVD and BluRay discs then you'll need AnyDVD HD (even if your drive is RPC1).

When I refer to "the FAQ" then I mean our FAQ of course, see my signature.