Windows Media Player

I am running into computers that will not play DVDs. The error message directs me to websites where I can purchase a DVD decoder for use with Windows Media Player. Is there any way to do this without having to buy something? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Lien on March 16, 2010 at 3:47pm

DVDs, when they were first envisioned, were designed to be encoded to prevent direct ripping of data from the disk (which was going on with CDs at the time). So, unlike CDs, which were readable with any player on any platform or any OS, DVDs required software libraries that were either hard-coded into the chips on any standalone DVD player, or that were installed with a licensed software DVD player. Microsoft decided not to directly package DVD decoding libraries with Microsoft Windows, as that would cost them extra money to do. Instead, one either had to buy an independent copy of licensed DVD software, or else buy computer hardware (computer or DVD player / burner) that included bundled licensed DVD software.

Well, anyways, to answer your question...what I did, way back in 2005, I copied a PowerDVD installation file that came with a set of Acer computers that were ordered for the district. Since then, I believe I've installed the software on about 80 different computers here in the district. My reasoning is that pretty much every computer has a DVD player now, and they all come bundled with some version of DVD software, most of those installations being newer versions of PowerDVD. So, I just keep everything the same software, same version.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Norman on March 17, 2010 at 8:08am

I concur with Stephen. I also have a copy of PowerDVD on my server and just install it as needed.

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Permalink Reply by Dianne C. Tillman on March 17, 2010 at 11:19am

Thank you for your suggestions, I just need to find a PowerDVD installation file!

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Permalink Reply by Brian Norman on March 17, 2010 at 11:25am

Shoot me an email, briann at waubun.k12.mn.us and I'll hook you up.

Brian

Dianne C. Tillman said:

Thank you for your suggestions, I just need to find a PowerDVD installation file!

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Permalink Reply by Dianne C. Tillman on March 17, 2010 at 11:50am

Hi Brian,

I found an installation CD for Asus DVD/Power Director/Media Show and it installed and will play DVDs, so I think I am all set. If this doesn't work out, I will have you hook me up.
Thanks,
Dianne

Brian Norman said:

Shoot me an email, briann at waubun.k12.mn.us and I'll hook you up.

Brian

Dianne C. Tillman said:
Thank you for your suggestions, I just need to find a PowerDVD installation file!