Win XP DVD software? Where can I get some cheap?

Just wandering if there's anywhere where I can download a generic WinXP DVD player codec for Media Player?

I don't really want to have to fork out for something like PowerDVD as I'd only be using this once in a while.

Any ideas?

 

I thought there was built in DVD support with XP

I had software bundled with my computer when first got it, and have just noticed (after reading your post and trying it), that I can no longer play DVDs

I can't extract the DVD software alone (that I know of) as it's on the discs with windows and a load of other crap which was bundled with it. "Packard Bell loves you" etc....

Guess I'll have to see what's rec'd to you too....

Like you, very rarely use the PC for DVD, so freeeeeeeeeeeeee would be nice. What's considered "the" software out there?

Perhaps one might have a look to see what's about on p2p. Just for research of course

 

You could try the software listed on this site, the license fees appear to be relatively cheap.

http://www.burnworld.com/software/dvd-decoder/dvd-decoder-software.htm

Here is the official MS site with details of the decoder packs

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/windowsxp/dvdplay.aspx

Hope this is of some use.

BL21DE3

 

Dom, will bring down Cyberlink Power DVD XP with me when I'm down on Wednesday.

 

NICELY! MO's got a possible solution too, but he might well be interested in this himself?

My version of PowerDVD is so old it'd make the Titanic look like a hovercraft... I figured it was too old for XP to use reliably.

 

Are you saying there is no system way of playing a DVD in XP?

 

Well, the XP version is only a couple of years old, but it's way better than the previous one, even on a W98SE based system. Is there a DVD playback system out there with a cooler looking control box?

 

if you have an oem dvd drive, and no software came with it, then no, you cant watch any dvd's. you need the dvd decoder software, $15 will get you a 1.3 mb download from intervideo, or cyberlink, install that decoder, and then microsoft media player will work.

 

I actually bought PowerDVD from Software Discounts for £10 just so I have a real CD to hunt for when it all goes wrong.... again.

 

I find it beggars belief that Win XP DOESN'T come with DVD software though - what a crock...

And my drive isn't OEM, but it IS an HP PC, which means if you upgrade, kiss ALL your software goodbye 'cos you can't use it as the CD ROM it ships with reformats the HDD and puts win98 back on - and there's NO way of getting to the other apps.

If you can now tell me how to get rid of 2gigs of crap (Win98 image etc) on a hidden partition now XP is on, I'd like to hear from ya!

 

domfjbrown, try this link which describes the inbuilt HD partioning software that comes with XP http://www.theeldergeek.com/disk_management.htm
You should be able to use that to remove the partition, though don't quote me on that . If I think of anything else I'll let you know.

BL21DE3

 

Nice one - I'll have to look at this later in the week 'cos I'm out tonight for St Patrick's Day - cool!

 

I was told once that DVD playback always costs money because of some proprietary rights someone has to the encoding or something (Dolby perhaps?) - so basically there are no freeware DVD packages as royalties always have to be paid somewhere along the line.

 

You're right about Dolby I think, but...

I PAID for WinXP (one of about 3 in the country who did probably!). I don't think it's too much for Micky$oft to pay the 10p or whatever it costs to Dolby for the rights on a flipping £85 OS-only package. Typical.

If Richers can knock out Sharp MD recorders with Dolby rights costs on them for £50, then M$ should ship XP (a flippin' 30p CD) for £85 WITH DVD playback. Development costs on XP - pah - they'll sell millions on millions - and Bill Gates is too rich already. Sorry, but that's mealy mouthed penny pinching on their part.

I hate Micky$uck.

 

It's OK, in the future Micropoop will own the A/V Codec too.

No don't let them do it!

So the royalties will go to them and they can let you have it for 'free'

 

Fecking hell the mac comes with a DVD player and the software to make your own DVDs!

 

Gary,

MS expect the OEM who builds the machine with a DVD drive to provide the decoder, or you can buy one separately for a small amount of money.

It's not ideal for us home builders, but that's the way it is. I suspect that MS would get into even more trouble with the EU and US DoJ if they forced every XP licence to include a DVD player licence.

If you buy a Mac without a DVD, then add a third-party DVD drive, does the Mac still play DVDs? Can you add a third-party solution?

Of course you can read (and write where applicable) DVD-ROM without any messing about, it's only movies and that evil region stuff that causes the problem.

Paul