windows media player no dvd decoder

Hi,
I have been watching dvds and videos fine with windows media player and then one day a message comes up saying WMP cannot play the dvd because a compatible dvd decoder was not found.
The website states

"
Windows Media Player becomes a full-featured DVD player when combined with a DVD decoder (MPEG-2 decoder) with features such as full-screen video playback controls, DVD chapter listings, and integrated cover art.

For Windows Vista
If you're running Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate, DVD capabilities are included as part of the operating system. If you are running Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Business, or Windows Vista Enterprise, you can enhance your DVD playback experience by purchasing a DVD decoder pack or by upgrading to a more powerful edition of Windows Vista. "

I know there is no way that I am going to purchase a decoder considering that my dvds were playing fine and randomly one day message comes up so does anybody know where i can download one. I would really appreciate it.
Thanks

 

Have you tried an alternative media player like Media Player Classic?
You might have to install a Vista Codec pack to view certain video files in MPC

 

You might want to check out DivX...it can do a lot, and I'd bet DVD decoding is one of those things the codec will let you do.

 

there was updates that vista had to download and that fixed the problem.
Thankyou for the help

 

Nope. DivX is MPEG4. DVD video is MPEG2. I'm highly suspect of the official DivX codec... last time I installed it, it enabled all kinds of other crapware on my machine. I prefer XviD, which will decode DivX videos. But that's neither here nor there. Glad the updates fixed it for you.

 

Acually I spoke too soon. A couple days later the same problem happened. It is weird it works when it wants too. The problem is with all movie files. Any suggestions

 

I feel your pain. After wiping out Vista and installing XP on my 3680 I had trouble playing CDs, even though I could copy the files using explorer. I got winamp to play a cd, but not DVD. Media player complained about no compatible codec. I loaded Nero Media player from a disk that came with a DVD drive (I put in my desktop) and now Nero and Windows Media player play fine. Nero has lots of features for playing fast, slow, capture frame, etc. I can recommend it as an application.

 

guys look for k-lite codec pack standard will allow media plyer to do almost anything playback wise and its free

 

also no way id use the newest nero its a 1.6gb install with everything!!!

 

You do know you have an edit button, right.