Dell doesn't include DVD-playing software?

The only DVD software I received from Dell with my new laptop was "Roxio Creator & MyDVD 9.0 DE." Unfortunately, this only includes DVD/CD burning software, and not DVD playing software.

When I received my last laptop a year ago, it came with "Cyberlink PowerDVD." This software worked great, and I was hoping Dell would include something equivalent for Vista. I liked the options it had, and I don't want to use Windows Media Player/Center to watch my DVDs.

 

Well, my 1520 didn't come with a DVD playback program either. No matter.

VLC Media Player is probably the best one I have tried. Trust me...I have used PowerDVD and many other players and VLC is the best one.

It plays 99% of all the files I throw at it....meaning DVDs, avi, etc., etc. No need for codecs either.

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My dell came with Cineplayer. I believe Dell has replaced cyberlink with this one.

 

Isn't that software incorporated into roxio?

 

I just went ahead and downloaded VLC anyway. It's simple and it works.

 

If you have Vista Premium, doesn't it have Media Center, which has an MPEG-2 codec in it?

 

If your laptop came with media direct installed, that is what plays DVDs. I installed VLC media player instaed though. I like it better.

 

Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate have the ability to play DVDs built-in folks.

 

For the best all around players do this. Download real alternative.. This will play real media files within media player classic and just about everything else including DVD's. Then for the best codec group I have ever used go to http://www.cccp-project.net/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

This is the combined community codec pac. This also includes the Zoom player. Now if you are trying to playback HD X264 files they will play in media player classic.. but not MP 11 with vista. MP11 does not do DTS Sound and X264.. At least I have had issues with MP11 on X264 or DVD's with DTS. Once you download CCCP, you can play those files on media player classic.. but vista does not recognize MPC as a active program and will run screen saver during movie. VLC will play X264 but will freeze if you forward or scroll ahead. The included Zoom player on CCCP is recognized as a active program in vista and can move forward/back in X264 no problems. The CCCP seems to be the best codec pac around and the fastest. Be sure to uninstall any other codec pacs before installing CCCP. The CCCP Insurgent (CCCPI program can tell you if you have other codecs. Anyway, I thought I would just past this along. I know all the original poster wants to do is play DVD. But installing the right codec pac and players will future proof any format you may run into.

This is the best codec/players I have used to date:
CCCP with zoom player.. real alternative with MPC with ability to playback Real audio/real video.

Also download AC3 filter.. that is also important for DTS/AC3 sound issues.

I will add that MP11 in vista is a dissapointment. But MP11 does do regular DVD's with 5.1 etc.. But on many of the formats I use its worthless. Its the worst media player MS has ever put out. But the good news is there are excellent free players that will do the job.

I agree that VLC is a very good player to have and should also be included.
Also its good to download the lastest Divx codecs from www.divx.com this can co-exist with CCCP codecs.

 

mine says WMP can't play dvds because of no encoder, but if I use media direct will in windows it can play it.

 

Vista Codec Pack FTW! And you can use any player with it
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Vista_Codec_Package.htm