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[jonny2112]

Bought a Sony DVD RW in the PC world sale, and fitted it the other day. Came with very little bundled software from Nero, which relates to creating discs, etc, but nothing to actually watch a disc on the pc. I thought Windows Media Player would play DVD automatically but it won't. Web help suggests purchasing a decoder, but before I do I thought I'd seek some advice.
1. If I had bought a DVD Rom drive, would it come with suitable software to watch a disc?
2. If I purchase some sort of decoder type package, has anyone any recommendations?
Cheers

[ClarCE]

Hi Jonny,

Depends on which drive you buy as to whether they do or don't bundle a decoder..  However, it is possible to still watch dvds without a decoder for free, you just can't use windows media player or whatever you're favorite player is.

The free one can be downloaded here: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

If you want to buy one so that all your media players will be able to play dvd's then I'd go for something like powerdvd, however there will be cheaper ones if you're not fussed.

Cheers,

Chris.

[jonny2112]

Cheers Chris - I'll give that a go now  

[Timbuk]

What have you got on your Nero :question When i bought my Lite-on i got Nero with it but like yours it was limited. Nero said i had to buy an upgrade but i managed to find the Codecs i needed on the Web and got it all working properly

[TheBoy]

Bought a Sony DVD RW

Serves you right    

[supermop]

DVD's require a codec that Windows Media Player does not have installed. You can either get yourself a codec pack, which will make WMP work with DVD's, buy/download a DVD player (software) or use VLC as per ClarCe's suggestion. VLC includes codecs that play anything. Except realmedia.

[Markjay]

Also, if you download an evaluation version of a DVD-player package e.g. WinDVD etc, it will install the codec and Media Player will be able use it. When the free trial expires, the original software will stop working but not the codec so you could go on using Media Player for DVD viewing.

What PC do you have - if Compaq or HP then I can offer another solution, there are free DVD Players to download from HP which will only work on Compaq/HP PCs but will support any DVD drive (e.g Sony).

[jonny2112]

Thanks for all the responses, including TheBoy  

Got VLC and it worked straight away - thanks Chris.  

I'll maybe have a look for some evaluation software as well as Markjay suggests (pc is neither brand by the way). Just didn't want to get 'stung' by Microsoft and it's partners before getting some good, honest advice.

Cheers

[TheBoy]

in all seriousness, you just need mpeg2 encoder...

be wary of these 'all-in-one' codec packs, they suck....  ....and usually end up with a suspect codec chain....

[lukie]

google a dvd player, you don't get one with a drive, but the one I use is about 500kb I install it, delete all the icons and then just use media player ! simple and free ! !

[lukie]

sorry for the short reply, had a auction I needed to win ! lol

I was basicaly trying to say what was metioned above about the trial software but the one I use is a real small program can be found here

http://www.cliprex.com/

it installs 2 programs, one is the software the other is adware, just delete the adware program (think you have to delete the folder) I don't actually use the software you install but when you install it mediaplayer will then play dvd's for you, and it's all free and legal !