Help with DVD decoder

Hi all,

I have just finished a reformat of my Inspiron 9400/1705, but did so without a restore disk for the Sonic DVD software. Because I live in Germany, it is going to take me a while to get this software directly from Dell.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what software I could download that would be the best for DVD viewing, burning, etc... I have the 8x double-layer driver.

I have so far downloaded VLC, and I have a copy of NTI CD/DVD Maker Gold, which I am not so fond of.

Help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

 

For ripping them to your hard drive DVD Shrink is the best. For viewing I use Nero, but you could use WMCE to watch dvds. I noticed that WMCE is actually not that bad for watching dvds.

 

Is there a good, free DVD/CD burning/ripping program out there?

I have an old copy of Nero (which was OK), but it doesn't support DVD.

Thanks for suggestions...

Chris

 

If you need the codecs for playback search for Ace Codec Pack, and choose the Pro Player installation. Then you can use most an media player to playback, like DiVX Player.

 

Kill two birds with one stone and just use Nero. I believe installing Nero automatically installs a DVD decoder also (on version 7 anyway).

 

Personally, I recommend Cyberlink PowerDVD. This is the default dvd decoder that you get with Dell. I tried Nero, and ended up having problems with it, so I switched back to PowerDVD. You could also use WinDVD.

 

Is everyone missing the fact he is asking for FREE software. Every suggestion mentioned COSTS MONEY!

Nero = $$$
PowerDVD = $$$
WinDVD = $$$

His best bet may be to simply wait for the software to be shipped from Dell, as I don't know of any software myself that is free.

 

CD burner XPPro...
http://www.cdburnerxp.se/download.php

It can burn pratically any DVD other than dual layer discs and I have been using it for quite a while now and FWIW it does its job pretty well.

See the features and limitations here...
http://www.cdburnerxp.se/features.php

 

If I have Cyberlink PowerDVD & Nero 7 simultaneously installed.... is there anyway I can choose which decoder is being used by MediaCenter?

 

I can't remember how to do it, but I thought there is some software that you can download/install, and it will detect which decoder you have. You can choose which to use. It might be a function of XP. I'll see if i can find it, and get back to ya.

When I used Nero, i only got music when my DVDs played. I never got voices or any kind of talking.

 

would powerDVD actually cost anything?... i got mine for free from dell...

 

If he doesn't want to wait for the discs from Dell, then no it isn't free -- he'd have to go buy it from their website. If he waits (as I indicated) then yes it is.

However, someone supplied a link to software to BURN dvds, and I provided the info on where to get the playback codec (Ace media Codec pack -- "Pro Player" install option once downloaded).

 

since this is turning more into what free dvd decoders are available, i'm moving it to software.

The reason i suggested winDVD is because I think it uses InterVideo for the decoder. I've downloaded a trial version of winDVD, and then i uninstalled it cause I didn't like it. It still left InterVideo on my laptop and as the decoder.

 

I think I might've found it: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...ac-0ab6-4990-943d-627e6ade9fcb&displaylang=en

 

Here is a link to show you what video codecs you currently have installed on a Windows XP computer. Why they hide it in such an obscure location is beyond me...