newbie question - no DVD decoder installed

[ginahoy]

Until now, I've only used the DVD in my desktop as a CD ROM reader. I just tried to play a DVD and I got this error message:

Windows Media Player cannot play the DVD because a compatible DVD decoder is not installed on your computer

Is this something I might find on the installation disk that came with the drive (Plextor 740a)? Given the age of this drive, I'm guessing I'll have to get updated drivers from Plextor's website. I just don't know what to look for.

Advice would be appreciated.

[admin]

Windows doesn't come with the files needed to play DVDs, so you would need to install your own.

Or better, just get VLC player, it includes everything you need to play DVDs.

Another option is Media Player Classic, but it can be a bit tricky to set up, unless you have it installed as part of a Codec Pack, like K-Lite Codec Pack Full (note that codec packs install lots of codecs, some of which you need, some of which you don't, and could interfere with your already installed codecs - but if it's a relatively untouched Windows install, multimedia wise, then codec packs are quick ways to get your system up to date for playback of pretty much everything).

[ginahoy]

Thanks for your response. As it turns out, I installed MPC yesterday but it reported same "missing DVD decoder" error.

Right after I posted here, I remembered my wife's laptop is able to play DVD's, so I traced back the DVD decoder on her system to a codec pack called "All in One" (installed by previous owner), so I installed the same on my system. It not only took care of Windows Media Player, but MPC can now play DVD's as well

Still, I guess I'm a bit miffed because Windows didn't provide such a basic capability, or at least set up the player to would automatically grab what it needs from the net. Ditto for MPC. Had I known about VPC, I could have saved myself a couple of hours of troubleshooting and headaches.

[admin]

Glad it worked out.

The good news is that Windows Vista and 7 can both play DVDs natively, without additional filters, although many still prefer MPC/VLC due to their simplicity.

[Chewy]

According to Microsoft, the liscensing scheme of that codec per version of operating system is rather complicated?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/windows-media-player/plug-ins

[admin]

Yep, it is rather tricky, but luckily, the most common (ie. Home Premium and Ultimate) versions of Vista and 7 should all have the DVD decoders built in.

I love the way Microsoft arbitrarily decides which features goes with which versions (like why Vista Business doesn't need native DVD playback, or why buyers of Windows 7 Professional won't need data encryption via BitLocker).

[ginahoy]

I didn't want to express my avid 'displeasure' with MS in a forum where I don't know the landscape, but it seems I'm among those of similar mind.

[mike315]

I suggest Free DVD Decoder at tucows, it more faster than others.