Windows Media Player DVD Decoder

DavidPJ wrote on 4/25/2004, 8:43 AM
Some time ago I upgraded to XP and Windows Media Player and XP doesn't include a DVD decoder. What are you using for a DVD decoder for XP if you had to obtain one seperately? I would like to use Windows Media Player as my default DVD audio/video player. I noticed Sonic sells one along with their player. Thanks.

Comments

kentwolf wrote on 4/25/2004, 10:41 AM
I believe that if you install *any* software DVD player (Power DVD, WinDVD, etc.), Window Media Player will then play DVD's.
B_JM wrote on 4/25/2004, 10:44 AM
other than WMP9 being fairly considered crap (media player clasic or zoom are much better) , you can install one of 3 or 4 good mpeg2 decoders onto your system to decode mpeg2 in media player
either elecard moonlight, windvd, powerdvd , or ligos mpeg2 codec ..



http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=82303&package_id=84358

http://www.inmatrix.com/files/zoomplayer_download.shtml

http://www.elecard.com/download/

scottshackrock wrote on 4/25/2004, 11:49 AM
ui'd like to point out that i DID install power dvd...and then unistalled it because it was crap.

anyway, ha...windows media still kept the codec, or so I thought mostly. I mean, it would play a dvd that I put in there (with a different menu on most commercial dvds though than what is usually seen on tv..interesting....)..but I would get no audio...hmm
Cheesehole wrote on 4/25/2004, 12:07 PM
What's crap about PowerDVD? I've been using it for years in my HT.
B_JM wrote on 4/25/2004, 12:10 PM
you need to install a ac3 codec ...

http://ac3filter.sourceforge.net/
B_JM wrote on 4/25/2004, 12:14 PM
its has a lot of little isues and has problems with some mpeg2 streams and navigation .. but its not that bad , i prefer windvd betweeen those two - BUT some other people have problems with windvd on thier systems and power dvd works better for them .

windvd (and the others i listed) also play transport and hd streams (and other file types) , powerdvd doesnt or not well.

powerdvd also cant seek if gops are not closed - though in fairness , windvd can have this problem also ..

Jay Gladwell wrote on 4/25/2004, 12:23 PM
I've got Windows XP and Windows Media Player and they play my DVDs just fine. Never had any problems with it. Frankly, I don't understand everyone's grumbling about Windows Media Player. I think it does a great job! It has/does for me, anyway.

J--
DavidPJ wrote on 4/25/2004, 1:10 PM
Thanks for the responses. Here's an update to my original post:

My Pioneer DVD A05 burner came with Ulead DVD Player and worked OK. However, Windows Media Player 9 couldn't find a decoder.

Windows Media 9 is getting decent reviews. Some critics are saying it's finally ready for prime time. I was only considering using it so that I would have one common application for playing CDs, DVDs, streaming audio and audio files. And, I already had it.

I tried the decoder and player from Sonic. Their played worked OK. Video now worked with Media Player, but audio was not present.

Obtained a copy of PowerDVD. Played audio and video fine with their player and Windows Media Player 9. Problem solved.

As a side note, when playing Class on Demand's Vegas 4 Editing Workshop (spot), all player solutions with the exception of PowerDVD exhibited video pixelation on spot's movements. PowerDVD's player exhibited no such problem and played it perfectly. I know Class on Demand's early release of this DVD set had a problem with some DVD players and PCs, so I'm also following up with them to see if my copy was one of the original distribution. Commercial DVDs played fine on all players.

Before upgrading my PC to XP early this year, I used to play the DVD set on Win98se without any problem. I can't remember what player/decoder was installed at that time.

So that's the whole story gang.