Are DVD regions held by Mac or DVD drive?

Hi I'm converting my entire DVD collection for use with my Apple TV etc

I live in UK so use Region 2.

I have accidentally put some Region 1 DVD's in when not paying attention! Needless to say I have learnt my lesson!

With lnly 2 changes left I have devised a plan:

I will buy an external DVD drive to use.

So my question is, baring in mind I only have 2 changes left, what keeps track of the region changes, the Mac or the Drive itself?

In short, will my idea work?

Thanks

The drive.

I'd recommend you download VLC for playing your DVDs from other regions. It does not care what region the disc came from and it is free.

Thanks Bobtomay. Love VLC but doesn't help with regions when ripping.

Answer is much appreciated

Your idea won't work. The answer is "both."

The actual solution you are looking for is to go into System Preferences, CDs&DVDs, and change "use DVD Player" for movie DVDs to "Ignore." This will mount the disc, but NO program will automatically start up. Then you can use Handbrake or whatever you are using (or VLC if you want to play them, or whatever) without further penalty.

Thanks Chas_M! Really appreciated!

NO way to circumvent region coding

Sorry guys!
None of this works. VLC nor any other app such as Handbrake or Mac The Ripper, are completely unable to even play a DVD from another region.
The ONLY way seems to be to change the region coding setting, which only works for 4 times, then you have burnt your bridges forever!

This is definitely ridiculous these days when it is possible to legitimately buy overseas DVDs over the internet!

Hi Darrall - I've found it does work. Not sure what you're doing so sorry can't be of more help but I've been finding this works with Handbrake just fine - i.e turning off "auto load' when DVD is put in and then just getting handbrake to recognise as source