Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Need DVD Decoder Software

I have an aging Gateway machine (Celeron 400, with an upgraded 32MB PCI Video card with hardware decoding) and a DVD drive. When I first got the machine it came bundled with a DVD player. I have since changed operating systems twice, and seem to have lost the ability to playback DVDs in the shuffle. It seems incredible to me that Microsoft hasn't integrated DVD playback seemlessly into its media player (or something) in the past three years.

Is there a free program out there that will support DVD playback? I am sure that I have my original set-up disk from Gateway somewhere, but I am reluctant to install anything graphics dependant that is that old ("This program requires DirectX 2.0, click here to update your video driver").

Any ideas?

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

Folks are trying to make free DVD player software but the MPAA keeps dragging them into court for violation of the DMCA (just ask the kid in Norway who tried when he came up with DECSS..) and while you are at it , ask the editor of 2600 magazine too, he got dragged into court for just trying to publish the (decss) code on how to access the video data on a dvd (by default it's encrypted, you need to be able to decrypt it to play it back , hence the need for decss) ..

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Dont understand

I dont understand. Why can't someone create a free program similar to the ones that are bundled with computers are laptop? How do these ones work? Why aren't the movie companies after these ones as well?

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

They probably get a kickback. I also heard they get a kickback from blank media sales, the record companies, that is.

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 236

DVD Software

The ones bundled with new PCs and Laptops aren't free. Like Office or Windows you pay for them as part of the overall price. The software usually costs around $30-60 with a good chunk going to the RIAA. if you want you can surf some warez sites (man I hope I don't get booted off for saying this) and download those programs for free. A more Legal (and recommended) option is to go to your local software store and buy the software. One such program is called WinDVD. Ask they sales clerk for DVD Decoder software (And don't go for the hardware junk, it's overpriced and you get a marginal performance improvement).
Alex.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

Re: DVD Software

quote:

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Originally posted by tantousha
The ones bundled with new PCs and Laptops aren't free. Like Office or Windows you pay for them as part of the overall price. The software usually costs around $30-60 with a good chunk going to the RIAA. if you want you can surf some warez sites (man I hope I don't get booted off for saying this) and download those programs for free. A more Legal (and recommended) option is to go to your local software store and buy the software. One such program is called WinDVD. Ask they sales clerk for DVD Decoder software (And don't go for the hardware junk, it's overpriced and you get a marginal performance improvement).
Alex.

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I won't boot you (just yet ) but needless to say Warez are illegal and we don't want to see any links here...
Just mentioning warez will not get you booted, but posting a link might...

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Do files get embarrassed when they get unzipped?

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 236

AHH!!! No, the main reason I was suggesting it is because for some reason in Canada retail versions of DVD Decoders are really hard to find and some of my friends have turned to Warez to find them..though I haven't myself, I don't have a DVD Drive. Another option I thought of afterwards is too check with Gateway support, they might be able to supply you with the software. And to all you Visorcentral moderators, I realized afterwards I shouldn't have suggested that. I love Visorcentral and value my membership here more than any other on the net.
Alex.

P.S. Just for the record...I don't download Warez. Even when I am pissed of at the RIAA and believe they shouldn't get any of my money....

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by tantousha
AHH!!! No, the main reason I was suggesting it is because for some reason in Canada retail versions of DVD Decoders are really hard to find and some of my friends have turned to Warez to find them..though I haven't myself, I don't have a DVD Drive. Another option I thought of afterwards is too check with Gateway support, they might be able to supply you with the software. And to all you Visorcentral moderators, I realized afterwards I shouldn't have suggested that. I love Visorcentral and value my membership here more than any other on the net.
Alex.

P.S. Just for the record...I don't download Warez. Even when I am pissed of at the RIAA and believe they shouldn't get any of my money....

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No worries, I know where you're comming from...
Sometimes it is harder to get the legit version than the warez one.. (off course I would not know how

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Do files get embarrassed when they get unzipped?

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Out of my skull, back in five minutes
Posts: 1435

Re: Re: DVD Software

quote:

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Originally posted by ToolkiT
Just mentioning warez will not get you booted, but posting a link might...

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