Certain DVD layers can play US discs (region 1) if you type in a "remote control" code that can be found on the web ( unfortunately I have forgotten the site that you can access. sorry! ). Otherwise, you can get your DVD player chipped.
Nowadays, especially in the US, DVDs are emerging which are categorised as 'region free' which means that they can be played worldwide. look out for this if purchasing DVDs online from the States. I bought several which have been fine.
try www.dvdhacks.co.uk.It has got a whole stack of multi region hack codes.I got one for my DVD player and it took about 20 seconds to change to multi region.