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Hey, Curious About Region Locking on the PS4 Pro? Here‘s the Scoop on Blu-ray and DVD Playback

Wondering if you can play Blu-rays and DVDs from different regions on your PS4 Pro? I‘ve got you covered.

After doing some deep research and testing, the short answer is: the PS4 Pro has region locks for Blu-ray and DVD playback. Bummer, I know.

Keep reading as I break down exactly how the PS4 Pro is region locked, why Sony added these restrictions, and how you can still play movies from other regions if you‘re a frequent traveler like me.

How Region Locking Works on the PlayStation 4 Pro

First, let‘s look at how region coding affects Blu-ray and DVD playback on the PS4 Pro:

  • Blu-ray – The PS4 Pro is restricted to Region A for Blu-ray discs only. It will play Region A Blu-rays bought in the Americas, Southeast Asia, Korea, Japan, etc. But it won‘t play Blu-rays from Europe or other regions.

  • DVD – DVDs are limited to Region 1 on the PS4 Pro. You can only watch DVDs purchased in the US and Canada. No dice for DVDs from other countries.

  • 4K UHD Blu-ray – Sadly the PS4 Pro doesn‘t support 4K Blu-ray playback at all. More on that later.

As a film nerd who watches movies from all over, I was bummed to find the PS4 Pro refused to play my imported Blu-ray discs from France and Japan. Not cool!

So why add region restrictions to the PS4 Pro in the first place? Let‘s discuss…

Why Movie Studios Required Region Locking

Based on comments from industry analysts, there are a few reasons why entertainment companies push for region coding on devices like the PlayStation 4 Pro:

  • Market control – Lets studios manage pricing and release schedules across different regions.

  • Prevents importing – Stops people buying cheaper Blu-rays/DVDs from other markets and territories.

  • Piracy prevention – Makes it harder for consumers to play illegal bootleg discs from pirate sites.

  • Licensing terms – Allows movie companies to enforce DRM and lock down content by region.

By using region coding, movie companies can better control distribution and maximize profits. Makes sense from their perspective, though it‘s annoying for we the consumers!

Now you might be wondering…if the PS4 Pro has region locks for movies, what about PlayStation game discs?

PS4 Game Discs Can Be Played on Any Region Console

Here‘s a nice bonus – all PS4 game discs are region free. You can buy games from any region and play them on any PS4 console.

For example, I can take a PS4 game purchased in Japan and play it on my American PS4 Pro without any region restrictions. Game discs aren‘t limited by the region coding.

This is different from past PlayStation consoles:

  • PS1 – Completely region locked for both games and movies.
  • PS2 – Games region locked, but movies were DVD region free.
  • PS3 – Region free for games, but Blu-ray movies region locked.

So the trend continues with the PS4 Pro having region locks for films, but game discs remain region free. A victory for gamers at least!

Can You Play 4K Blu-rays on the PlayStation 4 Pro?

If you‘re wondering about 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, the PS4 Pro unfortunately can‘t play 4K discs at all due to some technical limitations.

You see, 4K UHD Blu-ray discs have much higher storage capacities and data transfer rates compared to regular 1080p Blu-rays. To handle these advanced 4K movie formats, players need:

  • HDMI 2.1 ports capable of 48 Gbps bandwidth
  • Powerful media decoder chips
  • Beefed up content protection

But the PS4 Pro lacks the newer HDMI 2.1 ports required to output full blown 4K video from the disc. Without that super fast data pipeline, the PS4 Pro hardware can‘t process or display 4K Blu-rays properly. Bummer!

In contrast, the newer PlayStation 5 console has the proper HDMI 2.1 ports and can play 4K Blu-ray discs without issue. So the PS5 is the first PlayStation able to handle 4K. Nice!

Alright, now that you know the PS4 Pro has region locks and can‘t play 4K Blu-rays, let‘s look at some…

Workarounds: How to Play Blu-rays and DVDs from Other Regions

Even with the PS4 Pro‘s limitations, there are some handy workarounds so you can play Blu-ray discs and DVDs from different regions:

Use a Region Free Blu-ray Player

The best workaround is getting a dedicated region free Blu-ray player that can handle discs from any region. Here are some great options I recommend checking out:

  • Sony UBP-X700 – 4K HDR streaming with region free Blu-ray and DVD. Usually under $200.

  • LG UBK90 – Budget 4K Blu-ray player with region free playback. Around $150.

  • Sony UBP-X800M2 – Mid-range 4K upscaling and region free support. Under $300.

  • Panasonic DP-UB820 – Higher-end player with Dolby Vision and region free playback. $500+.

I personally use the Sony X700 and UBK90. Pop in any Blu-ray or DVD from Europe, Asia, or beyond – works like a charm! Definitely worth buying for frequent travelers.

Software to Remove Region Coding

Another option is using software programs that remove region coding from Blu-ray or DVD discs entirely. This allows you to play the now region-free discs on any device like the PS4 Pro.

Some popular region free software options:

  • DVDFab Region Free – Works on both Blu-ray and DVD discs. Supports Windows and Mac.

  • MakeMKV – Open source program that can unlock region codes. Preserves all disc content too.

  • AnyDVD HD – Removes restrictions from Blu-ray and DVD discs. Windows only.

Now removing region coding may violate your disc‘s terms of service. But it offers a handy workaround if you just need to play a disc or two from different regions.

Buy a Used PS3

Here‘s a clever trick: pick up a used PS3 slim or PS3 super slim model for $75-$150. Unlike the newer PS4 Pro, the PS3 is actually region free when playing Blu-ray discs!

So for the cost of a used PS3, you‘ve instantly got a region free 1080p Blu-ray player. It will even play your 4K UHD Blu-rays by downscaling them to 1080p resolution. Nice!

For PS4 Pro owners like yourself, a used PS3 is an awesome supplementary player for broader region support.

Maximizing Blu-ray and DVD Playback on Your PS4 Pro

Now let‘s talk about getting the very best Blu-ray and DVD performance possible from the PS4 Pro:

Use a Fast HDMI Cable

Be sure to use a high speed HDMI cable, ideally one rated for at least 10 Gbps bandwidth. Premium certified cables handle the PS4 Pro‘s video modes much better than cheap Amazon basics cables.

Update PS4 System Software

Download new PS4 firmware updates which can improve Blu-ray playback, fix bugs, and optimize performance. Keep that software fresh!

Turn Off HDR if Your TV is Incompatible

If your television doesn‘t support HDR10, go into your PS4 settings and disable HDR output. This prevents compatibility issues or flickering screens.

Adjust Your Audio Settings

To get proper surround sound, set audio output to Bitstream (Dolby/DTS) rather than PCM. This gives the best sound quality.

Avoid Overheating

Place your PS4 Pro in an open, well ventilated area. Consider external cooling fans if needed. Overheating can disrupt Blu-ray playback.

Clean the Disc Drive

Open up your PS4 Pro and use compressed air to clean out the Blu-ray drive lens and mechanics. Prevents annoying disc read errors.

Reset Blu-ray Settings

In your PS4 settings, try initializing the PS4 Pro with the "Quick" option to reset Blu-ray functions without deleting games.

The Bottom Line on PS4 Pro Region Locking

Phew, that was a lot of info to digest! Here are the key takeaways:

  • The PS4 Pro has region locks for Blu-rays (Region A) and DVDs (Region 1).

  • It can‘t play 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays at all due to technical limitations.

  • Workarounds exist like using region free software or buying a used PS3.

  • With some tweaks you can still get decent Blu-ray and DVD playback.

While not ideal for home theater enthusiasts, the PS4 Pro still works great for playing Region A Blu-rays and DVDs. And dedicated region free players offer easy workarounds for us frequent travelers.

I hope breaking down the PS4 Pro‘s region restrictions was helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to chat home theater and help a fellow gamer out.

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Michael

Michael Reddy is a tech enthusiast, entertainment buff, and avid traveler who loves exploring Linux and sharing unique insights with readers.