DVD decoder?

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

there is an update on the download page at support.dell.com for the
cyberlink softdvd software that came with your system. i think that the
download is actually the full application. have your tried this?


"Dave" <dm@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:h_dyd.87542$AL5.75115@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>I placed an old DVD drive I had in a 4550 and it has never worked
> right for playing movies. Apparently the old software decoder it
> came with isn't compatible with XP and isn't readily updatable.
>
> Can anyone recommend a software decoder, preferably free? Or
> should I just buy a newer drive (do they still come with soft
> decoders?).
>
> thanks,
> Dave

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

understandably the dell software is set to work with just the drives that
dell sold... sometimes you get lucky with regard to compatibility but that
is just chance... your drive should have come with some sort of player, but
since you don't have the software consider these alternatives... but take
note that several of them are supported though advertisements (aka spyware)
so pay close attention to the license agreements.
http://www.download.com/Media-Play [...] ag=stbc.gp

"Dave" <dm@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:2yoyd.87799$AL5.64329@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> In article <nYgyd.8059$EL5.3743@trndny09>, "Christopher Muto"
> <muto@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>there is an update on the download page at support.dell.com for the
>>cyberlink softdvd software that came with your system. i think that the
>>download is actually the full application. have your tried this?
>
> Just tried it. No joy. Since I didn't get a DVD when I purchased
> the system, and its an old non-Dell one, it won't let me install
> the upgrade. Any other avenues?
>
> Thanks for the response just the same.

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Cyclops wrote:
> Christopher Muto wrote:
> > understandably the dell software is set to work with just the
drives
> that
> > dell sold... sometimes you get lucky with regard to compatibility
but
> that
> > is just chance... your drive should have come with some sort of
> player, but
> > since you don't have the software consider these alternatives...
but
> take
> > note that several of them are supported though advertisements (aka
> spyware)
> > so pay close attention to the license agreements.
> Well, if it helps any, Windows Media Player 9 and 10 will play DVD's.

not out of the box they don't. once you install some dvd-playing
software (like WinDVD, PowerDVD, etc) it'll install the required DVD
playback codecs. Once these are on your system, you can then play DVDs
in any app, including Media Player. Media Player by itself won't play
DVD content out of the box.
To the OP, I'd recommend getting an OEM copy of WinDVD or similar, or
buying a commercial codec over the web.