European/African DVD & CD formats

[bpd]

This may seem like a dumb question, but I've no pride...

I live in the USA and am planning an overseas trip to Europe and Africa. Will DVDs and CDs purchased in the USA work on the players in those locations?

And while I'm thinking of it, can I get batteries over there that fit the sorts of devices I may take (sizes include AA and AAA)?

Thanks for your input.

[grilkip]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_region_code

[Valleysboy1978]

CDs will work no problem as they're not regioned.
DVDs however are regioned, but many of the DVD players around today are multi-region so shouldn't be an issue.

Why you'd want to buy CDs/DVDs here is a mystery though as they are released after the US and cost more!?!

Oh, and AA & AAA batteries are the same the world over.....even in backwater countries like France