DVD Burner?

[JD]

My new computer includes a DVD player called WinDVD by Inter-Video.
Does anyone know if that is a better program than Windows Media Player for
playing DVD movies?
I had assumed that Windows Media Player was also a DVD burner. Apparently it
isn't, nor is WinDVD.
What program does one need to create DVDs?

 

[Kelly]

What other software are you using, Nero........

 

[Hilary Karp]

There are two popular programs for creating DVD's: Nero and Roxio.

 

[JD]

I have Roxio Easy CD Creator Version 6 Basic. I did not assume that this
would burn DVDs.

 

[JD]

Actually, it is Version 6. And it will burn "data DVDs."
Apparently other programs are required to made video DVDs.

 

[JD]

Do you know anything about WinDVD? For instance, is it only a DVD player? If
so, how does it differ from Windows Media Player?

 

[Parry]

Hi,

You can use Arcsoft ShowBiz software. This is a very good software to create
and burn DVDs

Visit the following web site for more details:

http://www.arcsoft.com/en/products/showbiz/index.asp

Parry

 

[DILIP]

The best DVD player is CyberLink PowerDVD, IMO. Nero works well for DVD
burning - version 6 has some nifty features.

 

[JD]

I meant to say Version 5 Basic. Does anyone know if that means that it isn't
a full version?
I've seen limited versions of programs included "free" on new computers, but
only as a way to get the purchaser to upgrade to the "full version."
I'm still curious about why Gateway saw fit to package WinDVD with the
computer. Is it supposed to be superior to WMP for playing DVD movies?

 

[JT]

I would make sure your DVD Player is in fact a DVD Burner as well before
purchasing an upgrade in DVD Burning software. I say that because from
experience I thought I had a DVD Burner since the software was there (Roxio)
but I just had a CD Player/Burner and DVD Player. I know it was a bad mis
judgement on my part for assuming and I didn't buy my system expecting a DVD
Burner as well as the CD Burner but when I saw the software I thought that I
had a DVD Burner as well. If your drive has the CD Logo with R/RW and DVD
ROM then it's just a reader of DVD's.

JT

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Basic is basic. No support from Roxio, other than software upgrades.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Windows Media Player may not play the video DVDs.

WinDVD is a DVD decoder which allows you the play the video DVD that are
encoded as part the the DVD region locks.

PowerDVD is a direct compeditor to WinDVD.

 

[Hilary Karp]

I don't believe it can record. Media player by itself can't play DVD's
without a codec which I believe is available.

Thats all I can offer

 

[JD]

Thanks Hillary. I have played a DVD movie in WMP already so I know it works.
I guess I'm wondering why I should keep the WinDVD program. I suspect that
it is some kind of "limited version" in any case.

 

[Steve C. Ray]

I think the WinDVD player is better than WMP, but that is just my opinion.
Use the one you best like.

 

[JD]

The drive is identified in My Computer as DVD-RAM.

 

[Malke]

The drive is identified in My Computer as DVD-RAM.

You need a DVD burner to burn DVD's. Although these drives are coming
down in price, they are still close to $200usd. Unless you specified a
DVD burner and paid extra for it when you bought your new computer, you
have a DVD-ROM drive which will *read* DVD's and CD's, but not burn
either. You can use WinDVD to view DVD's in your drive.

Malke

 

[CS]

You need a DVD burner to burn DVD's. Although these drives are coming
down in price, they are still close to $200usd. Unless you specified a
DVD burner and paid extra for it when you bought your new computer, you
have a DVD-ROM drive which will *read* DVD's and CD's, but not burn
either. You can use WinDVD to view DVD's in your drive.

Malke

Hi Ms. Malke:

Actually prices are very competitive on DVD burners. Best Buy has
some very good ones for around $100.00 to $150.00 US and today while
shopping in Sam's Club, I saw one for $75.00. Now if only the prices
on new and used autos would come down..... <g>

Regards.

 

[Malke]

CS wrote:

Hi Ms. Malke:

Actually prices are very competitive on DVD burners. Best Buy has
some very good ones for around $100.00 to $150.00 US and today while
shopping in Sam's Club, I saw one for $75.00. Now if only the prices
on new and used autos would come down..... <g>

Regards.

Thanks for the info. I'm still waiting for all the standards dust to
settle and prices to come down more before buying a DVD burner for
myself. My point to the OP was that unless he specified a burner, which
definitely would have been an added cost, when he had the machine built
(or bought it from an OEM), it was unlikely that it was a burner.
AFAIK, DVD burners aren't standard equipment on an OEM box - you'd have
to choose to have one included.

Malke