APE-500W-4 firmware with Region Selector menu

This firmware for the 500W has been modified to allow you to change the Region setting via a very rarely used menu setting, the "Angle Mark" control. Because this setting has a very limited use and is not used on almost any DVD's, the setting has been "doubled up" to provide something more useful! Here are some screenshots of how the region is selected:

Step 1: Press the "setup" button on the remote and go to the "General Setup" page

Step 2: Highlight "REGION" menu option.

Step 3: Select either "ON" for Region 1 or "OFF" for Region 0 (Free)

The Region setting takes effect the next time the disc is loaded. Even better, the Region setting is saved when discs are changed or when the player is turned off. It remembers the last setting! Macrovision is permanently disabled in this firmware.

Why would you want to have a Region 1 and a Region Free setting? Because the 500W suffers from RCE disc problems when set to Region Free. To date there are only Region 1 movies with RCE so this hack makes it possible to watch a RCE movie without the need for the remote control workaround. To find out more about RCE and the "remote control workaround" click HERE.

Click HERE to download the firmware if you wish to make your own chip.

You can use this firmware in *ANY* 500W player regardless of the firmware version you currenly have.

Remember, 500W firmware can only be upgraded by changing the firmware chip.
The 500W is NOT CDR upgradable, nor is the original chip re-programmable!