dvd does not play

[Guest]

I have never used the DVD Player on my pc and although I do not receive any error messages the dvd will not play.In trouble shooter there is mention of decoders,etc.Could someone advise me as to what is required to play dvd's on this pc.
In Windows Media Player on the play tab,cd/dvd is not an available option although cd's will play ok.

 

[Chris Lanier]

Reinstall or install a DVD Decoder.

Troubleshooting DVD Playback in Windows Media Player for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q306318

 

[dev]

neezantoes said:

I have never used the DVD Player on my pc and although I do not receive
any error messages the dvd will not play. In trouble shooter there is
mention of decoders,etc.Could someone advise me as to what is required
to play dvd's on this pc. In Windows Media Player on the play
tab,cd/dvd is not an available option although cds will play ok.

First, verify that the hardware is capable of playing a DVD. A CD player
won't do that.

Next, install a DVD software player. Visit shareware sites on the Net to
find one, or perhaps the site of the manufacturer of your video card.
They may offer a player. Once a player is installed, then Windows Media
Player may also be offered as a choice for DVD play.

Local PC tech shops (not retail software stores) also can clue you in, and
provide software.

 

[Chris Lanier]

Once a "Decoder" is install. WMP is already a player. You must have
software to decode the MPEG-2 content.

 

[Jym]

Chris ,
You may need to reread dev's reply , as dvd decoder software is general
thought of as a dvd player .. WMP is not thought of as a dvd player since
it does not come with the software to do so . (although it will play dvds ,
and very poorly I might add , if you purchase a dvd player which includes
the decoder software ) . Dev's reply is detailed and accurate and really
does not need to be edited by you. Jym

 

[Eric]

Thank you for this explanation chris. I had purchase
zoomplayer pro which said it could play dvd's. although i
did not know that i still had to get a decoder. i
installed it and it keep telling me it could not find a
decoder on my pc. after reading this i bought powerdvd to
get the decoder. although it always plays dvds, just like
zoomplayer should, it also comes with the decoder. Big
difference! Thank you for your assistance.

 

[Jym]

Your examples of dvd players are wrong Chris. Zoomplayer is a media player
, as is WMP (media players and dvd players are two different things ) , but
Zoomplayer Professional includes a dvd decoder which makes it a dvd player /
media player. Read link. Jym
http://www.inmatrix.com/files/zoomplayer_download.shtml

 

[Chris Lanier]

Hi, No. ZoomPlayer is just a player, just like WMP. The decoder is *Not*
included. Goto http://www.inmatrix.com/articles/mediasetup1.shtml and look
under "SVCD / VOB / MPEG2"

Here's a quote right from there FAQ
"Zoom Player is not a DVD Decoder. It is a smart DVD User Interface that
allows you to use DVD Decoders from any vendor that supports the DirectShow
DVD Interface"

Why doesn't Zoom Player include DVD Decoder filters?
http://www.inmatrix.com/zplayer/faq/faq_entry0030.shtml

Why doesn't DVD Playback work?
http://www.inmatrix.com/zplayer/faq/faq_entry0001.shtml

Any more information I should be informed about for playing DVD's?

Also you may goto Help and Support in Windows XP and search for "DVD" The
first Suggested Topic has no information you might want to read.
"If you do not have a DVD decoder"
--In addition to your DVD-ROM drive and player software, you must have
either a hardware or software *decoder* in order to play DVDs. A hardware
decoder also requires a decoder driver. Decoders and their drivers are
available from third-party manufacturers.

You may also view the help in WMP.
--Quote from WMP help. Search term "Playing a DVD"

To play DVDs, you must have a DVD-ROM drive, and a software or hardware DVD
*decoder* installed on your computer. If you do not have a compatible DVD
*decoder* installed, DVD-related commands, options, and controls do not
appear in the Player and you cannot play DVDs. By default, Windows does not
include a DVD decoder. For more information about DVD decoders, see Windows
Help.

Feel free to add to this.

 

[Guest]

I have the same problem if you get an answer please foward it to me and I will do the same!