OEMs Could Be Including Cheap DVD Playback For Win 8 PCs

By Wolfgang Gruener
published

PC vendors who are concerned that the lack of DVD playback ability in Windows 8 could hurt their sales have a new opportunity to custom configure their PCs with such a feature.

AMD recently mentioned a blog post of James DePloy, founder of commercial app distribution platform AppAttach, which enables PC makers to access discounted OEM deals of apps with "reduced" volume commitments.

It appears that the lack of DVD playback support may have spurred some interest from DVD playback software makers to cater to PC makers. DePloy noted that CyberLink's PowerDVD 12 is available to OEM's as a "quality, cost-effective DVD playback solution at an affordable price." He did not reveal how much CyberLink charges for PowerDVD 12 via AppAttach. The retail version of PowerDVD 12 is currently offered by CyberLink for $40.

Microsoft removed DVD playback capability in Windows Media Player to save codec licensing fees that were required in previous Windows versions. For every Windows 7 version sold, Microsoft paid $2 to the MPEG-LA.

Windows 8 users, however, can easily add this playback capability by installing the Windows 8 Media Center Pack, which is offered by Microsoft free of charge until January 31, 2013. After that date, consumers could opt to play DVDs via software such as the non-profit open source media player VLC.

Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback

Wolfgang Gruener
23 Comments Comment from the forums
  • velocityg4
    Why don't OEMs just include quality free open source software or freeware? Like HP could include VLC, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Firefox/Chrome, Picasa and Gimp. Covering most consumer uses for computers.
    Reply
  • thecolorblue
    velocityg4Why don't OEMs just include quality free open source software or freeware? Like HP could include VLC, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Firefox/Chrome, Picasa and Gimp. Covering most consumer uses for computers.ask microsoft... it's no accident that those programs are not included by OEMs
    Reply
  • SteelCity1981
    i have powerdvd 12 yeah i paid 40 bucks for it but it was worth every dollar and i tend on having it as my main playback for a very long time.
    Reply
  • SchizoFrog
    It is quite funny how Microsoft is advertising Win8 as an all round home PC media centre and then withholds basic DVD playback. Not only should DVD playback be included as standard, but so should basic Blu-Ray playback.
    Reply
  • jerm1027
    velocityg4Why don't OEMs just include quality free open source software or freeware? Like HP could include VLC, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Firefox/Chrome, Picasa and Gimp. Covering most consumer uses for computers.I say why don't OEMs do people one better, and just install Ubuntu or other Linux distribution? Most of that software is pre installed, and there aren't any licensing fees for any of it.
    Reply
  • "ask microsoft... it's no accident that those programs are not included by OEMs"

    Average computer users are stupid. They don't know how to use Firefox or Chrome instead of IE. I assume that the majority of us have a side gig... And personally, I've encountered MANY people that can't figure out how to bookmark a page outside of IE.

    If HP began using VLC as their default media player, how many people would run away to Sony or Lenovo because they know how to use "their" software?
    Reply
  • bustapr
    ID10T@mailinatorcom"ask microsoft... it's no accident that those programs are not included by OEMs"Average computer users are stupid. They don't know how to use Firefox or Chrome instead of IE. I assume that the majority of us have a side gig... And personally, I've encountered MANY people that can't figure out how to bookmark a page outside of IE.If HP began using VLC as their default media player, how many people would run away to Sony or Lenovo because they know how to use "their" software?Please dont call the majority of people stupid just because they're not pc savy.

    this article is about OEMs considering intalling some DVD playback software in their PCs to help boost sales. Win8 remoed this feature, so no OEM win8 pc will be able to play DVDs with media player without the media center pack or some 3rd party software. If an OEM decides to conveniently include a playback software like VLC, people are very likely to not run away cowering in fear of the convenience.
    Reply
  • zybch
    Or people with Win8 Pro or higher could just grab the FREE Media Centre add on from MS till the end of this month. Then its $9.99.
    Reply
  • zybch
    velocityg4Why don't OEMs just include quality free open source software or freeware? Like HP could include VLC, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Firefox/Chrome, Picasa and Gimp. Covering most consumer uses for computers.Coz most free software, including some of those you mentioned, are utter crap! Thats why.
    Not as crap as the crapware they DO include on OEM PCs though.
    Reply
  • firemachine69
    ....Orrrrr.... People could just keep sticking to Win 7....
    Reply