Free PC DVD decodere software?

geepondy · Aug 1, 2006

Is anybody aware of any free PC DVD decoder software? I just want to be able to view DVDs on windows media player on an XP machine that doesn't have any other video software. Whenever I try to do so, a message comes up saying no DVD decoder found. Upon clicking the web help button, it only leads me to sites that offer pay programs. I would think there would be a free simple software/codec for that but I am unable to find any just yet.

ABTOMAT · Aug 1, 2006

You need the decoder codecs and a player. Try K-Lite Codec Pack. Comes with all the stuff plus a player. It's not part of the file sharing stuff, don't worry.

Mad1 · Aug 1, 2006

How odd, Windows Media Player in XP can play DVD's

Maybe you need to update to version 10.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/10/default.aspx

Or if that doesnt work then try this excellent free program called VideoLan.
http://10100111001.co.uk/content/-=freeware=-/Video_Lan/

Just extract the zip file to a folder and run the program.
Click on File then click open disk and then click ok, and it should play.

ABTOMAT · Aug 1, 2006

Windows used to (Win2K) come with a basic player built in. Punch "dvdplay" into the Run box and see if you have it. Still need the codecs, though.

carrot · Aug 2, 2006

It is fairly difficult to find a (legal) free DVD decoder, since the decryption of CSS needs to be licensed... and licenses cost money.

bfg9000 · Aug 3, 2006

When XP first launched in 2001, WMP linked to four pay codecs, all the same price. There are more available now, and virtually every retail-boxed DVD burner comes with PowerDVD, WinDVD, or Cineplayer--or the OEM software is available for about $10. If you have the right video card, you can also download the free ATI or Nvidia ones. Installing any of these will install the proper codecs for playing DVDs in WMP.

Or you could try installing a free demo version and see if the codecs stay after it expires...

tiktok 22 · Aug 3, 2006

bfg9000 said:
Or you could try installing a free demo version and see if the codecs stay after it expires...

AFAIK, they do. Definately worth a try.

Norm · Aug 3, 2006

I anbody does need a decoder/copier DVD shrink is excellent great for backing up you movies or converting a disk that may have a region code that your player can't read.
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=dvd+shrink&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Brighteyez · Aug 3, 2006

As bfg9000 mentioned, just about every retail boxed CD/DVD ROM drive and DVD-RW drive comes with a bulk version of either WinDVD or PowerDVD. Unfortunately sometimes those either carry activation codes or may be keyed specifically to the firmware on the drive. It's worth a try if you have a friend or acquaintance who has recently purchased one.

Better yet, if you know someone who has purchased one of the "OEM" bulk versions that are often sold at computer flea markets or from Asian immigrant computer merchants, they may come with an unkeyed generic version of one of the software DVD players that can be installed for any drive. If you're willing to pay for it, I think that CD is available from both Newegg and Zipzoomfly (can't remember if they require the purchase of a drive.

geepondy said:

Is anybody aware of any free PC DVD decoder software?

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Free PC DVD decodere software?

geepondy

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ABTOMAT

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bfg9000

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