The City of Joy

Indiamad · May 22nd, 2007, 08:12

Have just finished reading The City of Joy by Dominque Lapierre - about life in Calcutta and am desperate to get hold of the DVD.

I've tried all the major retailers, including Sanity Music, Virgin Records, local video stores without any success. The only way I can purchase a copy is from America but in Region 1 format which does not play here in Australia (unless I buy a multi-play DVD which I don't want to do).

Is there anyone out there (maybe in Aus) who knows where/how to get hold of a copy?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

noflylist · May 22nd, 2007, 08:42

In US, I can buy from Amazon.com, Your computer can change region setting and that way tou can watch on computer.

Indiamad · May 22nd, 2007, 08:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by noflylist

In US, I can buy from Amazon.com, Your computer can change region setting and that way tou can watch on computer.

Is it possible to change the region setting on ANY computer?

noflylist · May 22nd, 2007, 08:55

I can do on my comp and it is 5 yr old, so I am certain newer ones can do.

capt_mahajan · May 22nd, 2007, 08:57

ebay australia has it..

but, funnily, they say

"This DVD is coded Region 1 (US/CA). If you live outside this region it is possible that your DVD player may not be region coded to play this DVD. Most DVD players can be reset to multi region, which enables them to play any DVD regardless of its origin. Click here to find the codes and instructions to reset your player. Please be sure that your DVD player can play this region before bidding or using the Buy It Now feature for this item."

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CITY-OF-JOY-D...cmdZView Item

Wonder if you can reset your player from that site.

noflylist · May 22nd, 2007, 09:01

That reminds me, I buy DVDs in India without any problem playing them in US.

shashank.aggarwal · May 22nd, 2007, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

ebay australia has it..

but, funnily, they say

"This DVD is coded Region 1 (US/CA). If you live outside this region it is possible that your DVD player may not be region coded to play this DVD. Most DVD players can be reset to multi region, which enables them to play any DVD regardless of its origin. Click here to find the codes and instructions to reset your player. Please be sure that your DVD player can play this region before bidding or using the Buy It Now feature for this item."

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CITY-OF-JOY-D...cmdZView Item

Wonder if you can reset your player from that site.

I guess the region problem was there in older DVD players..new ones shuould work just fine..

Prashant.M · May 22nd, 2007, 12:11

Its not a problem but a restriction. Yes you can reset the DVD-ROM or the DVD Player to play any region disc.

On a DVD-ROM, you can change the region only so many number of times; after that it gets permanently set to the last one. Then you will have to hack the firmware to make it region free. Hacking means you will have to find a matching firmware for your DVD-ROM, dowload it and then flash it onto the DVD-ROM using another software. This is slightly risky and your DVD-ROM can freeze up after flashing the hacked firmware. I have done it and would do it again. This might take half a day to an entire day. My DVD-ROM stopped working after an year and it might be due to the hacked firmware but I am not sure.

To unlock a DVD-Player, there will usually be a sequence of actions using the remote and a numeric code to enter. Ask the dealer and he might do it for you. These codes are also available on the net but might or might not work. Again there is a slight risk involved.

Easiest would be to buy a multi-region disc.

Noflylist, the DVDs that you buy in India will mostly work in US because they are multi-region discs.

Nick-H · May 22nd, 2007, 12:53

When I last looked, it was possible to change the coding on a DVD player a limited number of times.

But things move on, and hacks get better, so things could have changed. But better not to assume you can do it for ever, or you might just get stuck with a DVD player that can only play a few of your discs! Do check it out.

<cross-posted with Prashant, who seems to have the required info>

ananda2193 · May 22nd, 2007, 19:41

The book which was great and the movie are totally different.
Mother Theresa and the Priest which were major characters in the book are not in the movie. They didn't want to be put in so their wishes were granted. The movie ,which stars Patrick Swayze is ok, but it's really not the book. The movie is mostly based on the doctor and his life there.
BTW, I was in Calcutta when they were finishing the filming there and there were protests over the movie because people were upset that it would portray India as only poverty stricken. And the cast was staying at the Oberai too.

machadinha · May 23rd, 2007, 07:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiamad

Is it possible to change the region setting on ANY computer?

I don't know about DVD players, I hear they have restrictions as described.

On a comp. you should be able to do as you like (but don't take my word for it), check out http://www.daemon-tools.cc/ for example. Also (or mostly) enables you to run ISO images (disk copies) on your comp., a handy tool.

noflylist · May 23rd, 2007, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by ananda2193

The book which was great and the movie are totally different.

I had the misfortune of reading the book first and then saw the movie.

machadinha · May 23rd, 2007, 07:41

That's funny, after my misgivings about all the hype I thought the book was pretty good and insightful really, whereas the movie was mostly just another movie.

(To me, that is

) --> For one thing it gave me some insight into the underlying motivations of economic migrants to the cities I think, and the subsequent conditions they're faced with -- and the lives they left behind, and the totally random circumstances that may drive them to do so.

Not a bad read really, although I'm sure there are better ones.

PeakXV · May 23rd, 2007, 08:04

Om Puri as the Bihari Father trying to make a life for his family in Calcutta is worth the ticket price - go for it!

noflylist · May 23rd, 2007, 08:17

Despite abject poverty, people can live full lives with spirituality - That was the positive message I got from the book.

May 22nd, 2007, 08:12	#1
Indiamad Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 175	The City of Joy Have just finished reading The City of Joy by Dominque Lapierre - about life in Calcutta and am desperate to get hold of the DVD. I've tried all the major retailers, including Sanity Music, Virgin Records, local video stores without any success. The only way I can purchase a copy is from America but in Region 1 format which does not play here in Australia (unless I buy a multi-play DVD which I don't want to do). Is there anyone out there (maybe in Aus) who knows where/how to get hold of a copy? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. __________________ The brave may die young but the cautious don't live at all.

May 22nd, 2007, 12:11	#8
Prashant.M Maha Guru Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 901	Its not a problem but a restriction. Yes you can reset the DVD-ROM or the DVD Player to play any region disc. On a DVD-ROM, you can change the region only so many number of times; after that it gets permanently set to the last one. Then you will have to hack the firmware to make it region free. Hacking means you will have to find a matching firmware for your DVD-ROM, dowload it and then flash it onto the DVD-ROM using another software. This is slightly risky and your DVD-ROM can freeze up after flashing the hacked firmware. I have done it and would do it again. This might take half a day to an entire day. My DVD-ROM stopped working after an year and it might be due to the hacked firmware but I am not sure. To unlock a DVD-Player, there will usually be a sequence of actions using the remote and a numeric code to enter. Ask the dealer and he might do it for you. These codes are also available on the net but might or might not work. Again there is a slight risk involved. Easiest would be to buy a multi-region disc. Noflylist, the DVDs that you buy in India will mostly work in US because they are multi-region discs. __________________ Happiness is just a thought away

May 22nd, 2007, 12:53	#9
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	When I last looked, it was possible to change the coding on a DVD player a limited number of times. But things move on, and hacks get better, so things could have changed. But better not to assume you can do it for ever, or you might just get stuck with a DVD player that can only play a few of your discs! Do check it out. <cross-posted with Prashant, who seems to have the required info> __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

May 23rd, 2007, 08:04	#14
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,331	Om Puri as the Bihari Father trying to make a life for his family in Calcutta is worth the ticket price - go for it! __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

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May 22nd, 2007, 08:42	#2
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	In US, I can buy from Amazon.com, Your computer can change region setting and that way tou can watch on computer.

May 22nd, 2007, 08:55	#4
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	I can do on my comp and it is 5 yr old, so I am certain newer ones can do.

May 22nd, 2007, 08:57	#5
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,509	ebay australia has it.. but, funnily, they say "This DVD is coded Region 1 (US/CA). If you live outside this region it is possible that your DVD player may not be region coded to play this DVD. Most DVD players can be reset to multi region, which enables them to play any DVD regardless of its origin. Click here to find the codes and instructions to reset your player. Please be sure that your DVD player can play this region before bidding or using the Buy It Now feature for this item." http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CITY-OF-JOY-D...cmdZView Item Wonder if you can reset your player from that site.

May 22nd, 2007, 09:01	#6
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	That reminds me, I buy DVDs in India without any problem playing them in US.

May 22nd, 2007, 19:41	#10
ananda2193 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: you essay Posts: 1,568	The book which was great and the movie are totally different. Mother Theresa and the Priest which were major characters in the book are not in the movie. They didn't want to be put in so their wishes were granted. The movie ,which stars Patrick Swayze is ok, but it's really not the book. The movie is mostly based on the doctor and his life there. BTW, I was in Calcutta when they were finishing the filming there and there were protests over the movie because people were upset that it would portray India as only poverty stricken. And the cast was staying at the Oberai too.

May 23rd, 2007, 07:41	#13
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,916	That's funny, after my misgivings about all the hype I thought the book was pretty good and insightful really, whereas the movie was mostly just another movie. (To me, that is ) --> For one thing it gave me some insight into the underlying motivations of economic migrants to the cities I think, and the subsequent conditions they're faced with -- and the lives they left behind, and the totally random circumstances that may drive them to do so. Not a bad read really, although I'm sure there are better ones.

May 23rd, 2007, 08:17	#15
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	Despite abject poverty, people can live full lives with spirituality - That was the positive message I got from the book.

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