My PC won't play DVDs

MickKnipfler

Can anybody help?

I have 2 DVD drawers on my PC. Either of them will play DVDs but many discs won't play. Those DVD +Rs that I've recorded myself aren't a problem. The ones I'm having trouble with are pre recorded ones from play.com etc. As far as I know they're region 2.

It's a Dell PC and DVDs as a default play on Power DVD but I can't play them on media player either. I did recently upgrade my media player to the latest version (which I can't get on with).#

Any offers?

MercilessKiller

Sounds like you need a region free codec...

But first try playing them in the free VLC Player. Amazing software and plays things WMP doesnt due to codecs in built to the sofwtare.

Ivrytwr3

Mmmm, could be a region issue, could be a codec issue.

I can point you to a download pack of the most used codecs if you like (free) and i also have Slysoft Anydvd which allows your media players to play any region dvd (again free).

I use Powerdvd and it plays anything i throw at it.

Ivrytwr3

http://heanet.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/gordianknot/Gordian.Knot.Codec.Pack.1.9.Setup.exe

If you want Anydvd, let me know and i will email you it.

Edit: Link taken from https://www.doom9.org

MercilessKiller

Ivrytwr3.. in the rules it states you must post the website as well as the direct .exe

Just pre warning u Oh and I prefer the K-Lite full Codec pack! had probs with Gordian a while ago....

VLC Player will also play anything you throw at it so well recommended and free and legal... (thats the other thing Ivrytwr3.. )

MickKnipfler

Which is the simple solution? I don't really want to get involved with "double overhead underhangers" or "radiply crossmoulds"

marsden_pete

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/ACE_Mega_CoDecS_Pack.htm
is the one i use allows you play every movie in Media player

MercilessKiller

MickKnipfler wrote:

Which is the simple solution? I don't really want to get involved with "double overhead underhangers" or "radiply crossmoulds"

Easiest way:

Google VLC Player. Download. Watch dvd's.

If it doesn't work you'll be needing a region free codec hack as such.

Willpower?

MercilessKiller wrote:

But first try playing them in the free VLC Player.

I second this. I saw VLC recommended on another site, since then I've ditched PowerDVD - VLC is so much better, and definitely less cranky.

Ivrytwr3

OK vlc player is nice as it plays most things. But Powerdvd, more so if you actually paid for it , is much better. It plays ac3 files so if your pc is up for it you can watch in surround 5.1 or 6.1 sound, has the ability to resume playback if stopped, screen shots, different audio streams, add subs.

If you just want to watch movies without the extras, then vlc if fine, if i'm watching a movie i prefer to use the machine and dvd to its full on my huge lcd monitor!!

MickKnipfler

I think my soundcard (Audigy 2S or something?) has a digital out and I use a yamaha YSP800 for the sound (which has pseudo 5.1 I think)

I think the PowerDVD was on my PC when I bought it so I don't know which version it is. It certainly opens up as default when I try to play a DVD