Reg. Question 1: You find "region-free"-firmware updates for your DVD drive via Google. Just be aware that this invalids any guarantees of the manufacturer. But it's possibly not needed: You can change the region of your DVD-Player 4 times (automatically) the fith change then sets the region finally.

Reg. Question 2: I use "Nero Info Tool"

I use AnyDVD (HD) for my computer players. It does what the name suggests. 

I also use VSO Inspector and DVD Shrink to check regions, audio, subtitles etc.

Nero ShowTime and PowerDVD for actually playing the discs and double check features.

Quoting goblinsdoitall:

Quote:
Reg. Question 1: You find "region-free"-firmware updates for your DVD drive via Google. Just be aware that this invalids any guarantees of the manufacturer. But it's possibly not needed: You can change the region of your DVD-Player 4 times (automatically) the fith change then sets the region finally.

Reg. Question 2: I use "Nero Info Tool"

Goblin, re question 1 - the OP was talking about software for his Pc's dvd drive.

And I would agree with Patrick that anyDVd is the way to go. a pure software solution that just works. And works nicely with their other products.

for regions/layers i use dvdinfopro.

to block regions changes i use anydvd.



and on a similar note, i remember an old discussion (by old i mean pre-invelos) where it was mentioned that using such software actually amended the "read" disc id and as such could give incorrect data for dvdprofiler.

am i remembering this correct?

as such, i have been only contributing uk disc id's as my laptop dvd drive is set to r2 (happily disabling/re-enabling anydvd as needed). if it turns out not to be the case then i can start on some r1 titles currently not in the database (specifically the triple bill of chained heat/red heat/jungle warriors)

If you copy a DVD with AnyDVD and a 1:1 cloner (CloneCD, ImgBurn, Nero via "Copy DVD"), the result will have a different disc ID than the original.

However, if you put an original DVD in your drive and have AnyDVD running, AnyDVD will pass the original disc ID through its filter and report it correctly to your system.

Quoting Kinoniki:

Quote:
I don't think the AnyDVD-DVD Profiler conflict exists anymore, I seem to remember there was an update to prevent this. At least I haven't noticed any conflicting disc IDs lately...

I don't think it does with Disc IDs anymore, but AnyDVD still alters how the region coding of a disc will be read in many programs.

For my PC based analysis I use the elderly DVDDecrypter, which doesn't care if your DVDROM is RCP2, and reveals all region and stream data - though a bit esoteric & technical in presentation & use. 
I used my eyes for layer entry, the markings for determining such are usually very clear.  However, Profiler now does this item automatically when you add discID, so usually no longer required manually and I have only seen it make a mistake twice for this data.
For playback check I prefer VLC, which also can work around RCP2 restrictions, but works better (faster) with a RCP1 patched drive.

Will be stepping into Blu in a couple months, now gotta wrap my head & tools around that one! 

edit:
a note for TV series & compilation discs - depending on how the program was authored, determining the total runtime can be kind a pain; time math. Sometimes all items are contained in a single movie object divided by chapters, others are separated into the individual episodes.  In the latter case, a time calculator tool, such as here, assists a great deal.

Yay. Submission accepted.      Now to contribute some more.