There are currently 6 global region codes which are used to identify specific DVDs and their compatibility with the DVD players normally sold in that region.  If you live outside of the U.S. or Canada, you will need a multi-format / multi-region DVD player in order to play back the contents of a DVD encoded for REGION 1.

• REGION 1:  U.S., U.S. Territories, Canada, and Bermuda
• REGION 2:  Japan, Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East, including Egypt
• REGION 3:  Southeast Asia, East Asia, including Hong Kong
• REGION 4:  Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean
• REGION 5:  Former Soviet Union, Indian subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, and Mongolia
• REGION 6:  China