Thread: LG RC689D Digital & Analog DVD Recorder/VCR Player Combi

Originally Posted by malaus1

Hi Greg,
I bought one of these thinking it would record on both disk and VCR but you have to read the name literally ie DVD recorder -- and -- VCR player.
I was disappointed more in the fact that it actually finds the HD channels but can't record or display them.
I'm in my 70's so good luck with your friend.
Mal

Hi! I recently bought an LG DVD/VCR combo (RC689D) and was pleased with the way it performed - until I tried to play a PAL region DVD (from Britain). No go!
I'd simply assumed that the machine was multi-zone when I bought it, but it absolutely won't play British DVDs (though it does play Australian and American disks with no problem). I called in a TV repairman and asked if he could modify the machine to a multi-zone format. He said that it would be simple to do so - just a matter of keying a code (which he obtained from his LG instruction manual) into the machine. There was even a backup code, should the first one not work.
However, when he tried to do this, he found that neither code would do the job. He couldn't quite understand why this should be the case, theorising that perhaps a more up to date manual than the one he owns has recently been brought out, in which the code might have been changed. Anyway, the long and the short of it is that my machine is still not multi-zone!
Can anyone give me some advice re this? IS keying a code into the machine the correct way to change it to multi-zone? If not, is there a more direct, mechanical way to do it? Thanks in anticipation, BROLGA

Originally Posted by Brolga

Hi! I recently bought an LG DVD/VCR combo (RC689D) and was pleased with the way it performed - until I tried to play a PAL region DVD (from Britain). No go!
I'd simply assumed that the machine was multi-zone when I bought it, but it absolutely won't play British DVDs (though it does play Australian and American disks with no problem). I called in a TV repairman and asked if he could modify the machine to a multi-zone format. He said that it would be simple to do so - just a matter of keying a code (which he obtained from his LG instruction manual) into the machine. There was even a backup code, should the first one not work.
However, when he tried to do this, he found that neither code would do the job. He couldn't quite understand why this should be the case, theorising that perhaps a more up to date manual than the one he owns has recently been brought out, in which the code might have been changed. Anyway, the long and the short of it is that my machine is still not multi-zone!
Can anyone give me some advice re this? IS keying a code into the machine the correct way to change it to multi-zone? If not, is there a more direct, mechanical way to do it? Thanks in anticipation, BROLGA

Hi Brolga, in my"Owner's Manual" on page 29 (System Setting) it tells how to change the "area code" . The area codes are listed on page 66. There doesn't seem to be a multi code listed. I haven't tried to change the code on mine but I assume you can change to "GB" for your disk's and change back when necessary. Make sure to note the existing code before changing to something else. Not sure what the repairman was trying to do but he may have tried this method.

Dear Mal,

Thanks for your quick response to my enquiry. The "Area Code", though, seems to be a different thing from "Zone", which is a mode of playback for the machine. In any case, my TV repair man tried to fiddle around with this and it didn't seem to do much good. But I got another response, from the "TV Guy", who set out a simple seven step method of changing to multi zone - which worked perfectly! Thank you both very much for your help and advice!

All the best, Mal, from BROLGA

Originally Posted by malaus1

Hi Brolga, in my"Owner's Manual" on page 29 (System Setting) it tells how to change the "area code" . The area codes are listed on page 66. There doesn't seem to be a multi code listed. I haven't tried to change the code on mine but I assume you can change to "GB" for your disk's and change back when necessary. Make sure to note the existing code before changing to something else. Not sure what the repairman was trying to do but he may have tried this method.

Mal, thanks for your quick reply!! I appreciate your advice, but TV GUY (see below) seems to have hit the spot. All the best, Mal, from BROLGA

Originally Posted by TVguy

This should work:
1. Press the HOME button on the remote control.
2. Scroll across to the Easy Menu.
3. Select SETUP.
4. Scroll down and highlight the LOCK icon.
5. Press 0 seven times.
6. A screen pop up should declare: "Congratulations! Region Change Free!" with YES highlighted in a yellow box.
7. Press ENTER on the remote control and you are done.

I have not checked on this particular model, but the process works on other models with the same interface.

Dear TV GUY, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your quick, elegant, simple, clear, comprehensive response, which I keyed into my machine in the space of ninety seconds flat - and which solved the problem totally! I now have a multi zone system! Thanks again, and all the best from BROLGA