[I have a pretty old Modchip.com chip. The only thing i really use it for is playstation games, ......, it says it will only play patched ones and i've never tried a dvd-r.
ANSWER: Then I think you are in luck. It will play PS2 backups provided you patch the backup with the Universal Patcher or the ASA Patcher which renames the SLUS_xxx.nnn file to PBPX_952.nn so that it can boot behind the Utility Disk. It can also boot DVD-Rs. You put in an original JAP game with a large TOC and when the tray ejects, put in your DVD-R (from any region). KEEP THAT CHIP

As for where i live, i live in the US. Does the ability of my playstation to play US originals tie in with playing DVD-R? Im really confused when it comes to this. Also if im from the US, should i just get the new origachip or somehow call italy and ask for an old one?
ANSWER: By all means get the new one - but I can only report my experiences with the v.1.1. Keeping the modchip.com chip will mop up whatever can't be done with the OrigaChip except booting backup CDs directly.

Opps sorry, and also i dont have any DVD-R. The only original jap game i have is ridge racer V and i dont believe that is a DVD. When u say DVD-R i assume you mean a copied dvd game..i hope im right
ANSWER: The OrigaChip for US will boot original US DVD games without a swap, according to the blurb. A DVD-R is a copied DVD game as per the methods decribed at ####://www.psxcopyworld.co.uk. I can buy most JAP games in London, I dare say you can do the same somewhere in that vast country of yours and if not by web (lik-sang.com).

Hope all the above helps.