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Thread: watching DVDs on laptop

  1. Oct 20th, 2003, 04:27 PM #1
    Muddy
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    watching DVDs on laptop

    are there any free dvd decoders out there that will allow me to watch DVD movies on my laptop.

    I dont need the ability to rip or copy DVDs ... I just want to watch them.

    Thanks!
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  2. Oct 20th, 2003, 04:30 PM #2
    Crunch
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    Does your laptop have a DVD drive? If it doesn't, you won't be able to read a DVD disk, no matter what kind of software you get - different laser frequencies and all that. If it does, then you probably got some kind of DVD software. Don't know of any freeware DVD players but there are a few DVD codecs that plug into MS Media Player that cost ~$10US.
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  3. Oct 20th, 2003, 04:33 PM #3
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    Originally posted by Crunch
    Does your laptop have a DVD drive? If it doesn't, you won't be able to read a DVD disk, no matter what kind of software you get - different laser frequencies and all that. If it does, then you probably got some kind of DVD software. Don't know of any freeware DVD players but there are a few DVD codecs that plug into MS Media Player that cost ~$10US.
    yes i have a DVD

    got a link on the $10 decoders?
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  4. Oct 20th, 2003, 05:58 PM #4
    Crunch
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    http://windowsmedia.com/9series/pers...ins#DVDDecoder

    I use the PowerDVD full version (not the Media Player plugin) and it's been pretty good to me. Don't have any opinion on the other two vendors. Good luck!

    Oh uh... you should check your laptop manufacturer's support, there's a good chance you'll be able to download the OEM DVD software (if there was any) or they may send you a CD.
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  6. Oct 20th, 2003, 11:18 PM #5
    mendhak
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    If a laptop has a DVD drive, shouldn't it come with the DVD player as well?

    Hi Muddy! Long time no see
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  7. Oct 20th, 2003, 11:27 PM #6
    Kasracer
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    WMP plays DVDs.....
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  8. Oct 21st, 2003, 12:33 AM #7
    dis1411
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    every dvd has about 400 keys on it.. companies have to pay to be able to get and use 1 in their hardware / software (m$ didnt feel like forking over the money so u have to have a 3rd party dvd player installed to play stuff through WMP)

    so SOMEONE has to pay for it thus u probly wont ever see free dvd players
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  9. Oct 21st, 2003, 07:02 AM #8
    Pc_Madness
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    I believe WinDVD is a free one? Atleast I think thats what the InterActual site implied....
    Don't Rate my posts.
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  11. Oct 21st, 2003, 11:29 AM #9
    Kasracer
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    Originally posted by dis1411
    every dvd has about 400 keys on it.. companies have to pay to be able to get and use 1 in their hardware / software (m$ didnt feel like forking over the money so u have to have a 3rd party dvd player installed to play stuff through WMP)

    so SOMEONE has to pay for it thus u probly wont ever see free dvd players
    *** are you smoking? There are free dvd players on the computer.

    Hell you can ****ing rip a DVD for free with gordianknot.

    WMP supports playing DVDs (i've done it without installing any 3rd party crap) and there is always http://www.videolan.org/
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  12. Oct 21st, 2003, 02:37 PM #10
    dis1411
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    hey i just told u how it works... if someone is giving it away free then they paid for it out of sheer generosity or its illegal

    to clarify im only talking about dvds that are protected by CSS, which means almost every commercial dvd there is

    you guys are most likely confusing OEM or illegal with free


    from the help file of WMP
    Note 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. For more information about DVD decoders, see the DVD Troubleshooter.

    is anything marked free here?
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  13. Nov 21st, 2003, 02:20 PM #11
    Muddy
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    I went back to the CDs that came with the machine and sure enough there was a copy of WinDVD ...

    Thanks for the help.

    Hi Mendhak ... nice to see you are still around ...
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