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    DVD playback software

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by ASZ993, Jul 18, 2005.

  1. ASZ993

    ASZ993 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am looking for a good DVD playback software. Should I stick with the copy of ASUSDVD that came with my W3V or purchase something else?
     
    ASZ993, Jul 18, 2005
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  2. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    I cna't imagine buying anything, whatever comes with it is probably fine. You'll also find that some DVDs require you to use their player, which is really lame.
     
    Brian, Jul 18, 2005
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  3. qwester

    qwester Notebook Virtuoso

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    As Brian said, anything will do the trick as long as its not windows media player. I have some issues with it linked to use on wide screen, but other than that any software will do.
     
    qwester, Jul 18, 2005
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  4. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    WMP plain stinks for movies, didn't think it ws that hard, but perhaps it is.
     
    Brian, Jul 18, 2005
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  5. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    Personally, I use Cyberlink's PowerDVD v6 and it's great. Much better than WinDVD and other players on the market. Tried the other demo software and were either dfficult to use or just didn't work too well.

    For media player to play DVD's, you need to have a DVD (MPEG2) codec installed before it'll work. I think you can download these codecs online, but I wouldn't bother, I don't like media player for DVD playback.

    -Vb-
     
    Venombite, Jul 19, 2005
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  6. YannickB

    YannickB Notebook Guru

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    On one of my desktops I once made the mistake of deleting the only MPEG2 decoder there was. I was clearing out all the trial crap that the manufacter loaded on my computer and that included the trial version of WinDVD. THE STINK'N TRIAL VERSION! Luckily you can download the trial version from their website, and even when the trial runs out, you still have the decoder which is nice. Luckily for me atleast.
     
    YannickB, Jul 19, 2005
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  7. wicastawakan

    wicastawakan Notebook Enthusiast

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    Any one using the InterVideo WinDVD either the gold or platinum? They have a free trial, but would appreciate any info prior to trying it.
     
    wicastawakan, Jul 20, 2005
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  8. NachoDog

    NachoDog Notebook Guru

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    I was using WinDVD for a while, but for some reason, it decided to take over DivX decoding duties away from the official DivX codec that was previously installed. The WinDVD DivX decoder sucked. Everything was way too dim and I coulodn't watch any of my DivX movies at all!

    I reinstalled the official DivX codec and it worked until the next reboot. After the reboot, WinDVD took over again.

    Since then, I've switched to PowerDVD and everything's been fine. I don't recommend that WinDVD crap to anyone.

    Just my 2 cents.
     
    NachoDog, Jul 20, 2005
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  9. Elias

    Elias Notebook Consultant

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    I use WinDVD 7. I prefer that over PowerDVD, or whatever came with my Inspiron 9200. It's got a nice interface, lots of features, and works well for me.

    I'm even starting to use it for watching MPEGs, AVIs, and other video formats. It's great for DVDs, as well as other formats.
     
    Elias, Jul 21, 2005
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  10. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    I found WinDVD 7 too "messy". It was difficult to locate the settings and just seemed clumsy. PowerDVD is a lot "cleaner" than WinDVD and I found all the settings easily without going to different meun areas to change settings (PowerDVD is all on 1 screen under different tabs). I removed WinDVD's trial version on the same day I installed it.

    -Vb-
     
    Venombite, Jul 22, 2005
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  11. Elias

    Elias Notebook Consultant

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    I guess it's just a matter of personal preference. I find WinDVD to be superior to PowerDVD.

    I can't say that I don't like PowerDVD. I hardly watched any movies on my computer when I had PowerDVD. I got WinDVD because after I reformatted, I lost my DVD playback software and was out of town. I downloaded the trial and enjoyed it a lot. I purchased it and have been using it ever since.

    Now I watch more movies on my computer. I watched The Pacifier, Half Baked, Hackers, and Harold and Kumar on my computer all in one day (because I often get bored). I could have watched them on my TV, but I'm weird like that. I decided to use my computer and headphones.

    It does work very well, though. It was nice.
     
    Elias, Jul 22, 2005
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  12. EricM

    EricM Notebook Guru

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    I agree with Venom, I did not care for WinDVD. I also use PowerDVD
     
    EricM, Jul 22, 2005
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  13. LuckMC11

    LuckMC11 Computer Extraoirdinaire NBR Reviewer

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    i jus use the cyberlink dvd player that came wit my laptop...and it's much better than a lotta other players i have had in the past
     
    LuckMC11, Jul 22, 2005
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  14. ricola_pak

    ricola_pak Notebook Guru

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    I got my IBM T42 laptop about 2 months ago, had no problems watching DVDs on Windows Media Player and even installed the ACE CodecS Pack 6.03 to view my anime (I think they are DivX), however today suddenly a message comes up when I view DVDs saying something related to Copyright protection and I can't watch them anymore.


    Any idea how to solve this for free?
     
    ricola_pak, Jul 31, 2005
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  15. ricola_pak

    ricola_pak Notebook Guru

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    Actually never mind, I just discovered I have a program called WinDVD installed (dunno if by me or by default) and now it works.

    Thanks.
     
    ricola_pak, Jul 31, 2005
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