Best DVD playback software?

[50]

Hello,

I've been using VLC for a while but was wondering if PowerDVD or winDVD are worth the extra cost? I haven't transitioned over to Blu-ray yet. I've got a 28" 1920x1200 monitor and logitech Z-5300 speakers (so no dolby digital only analog out). Is it worth it to pay up for one of these programs? Thanks

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I think PowerDVD quality is better than VLC, especially on certain DVDs (ie anime), but not worth the cost of buying the standalone product. I'd buy a new DVD burner for $30 off of newegg and get the software for free. Just make sure it includes the software.

 

[Rottie]

what is wrong with windows media player 11?

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: Rottie
what is wrong with windows media player 11?

Does WMP even play DVDs yet? I know before XP it did, and then it stopped due to licensing for the decoders. I quit using WMP for anything then.

 

[armstrda]

If you have Vista HP or Ultimate you get built in DVD playing in WMP or MCE

 

[corkyg]

Have Vista Ultimate, but PowerDVD 7 is better.

 

[0roo0roo]

windvd or powerdvd have time stretching. not sure vlc does... and i mean normalized sound, not chipmunky junk

 

[fleabag]

It depends on your needs.. Are you looking for highest performance at the cost of battery life? Or are you looking for the very best battery life at the cost of not as good picture quality? I've found that Power DVD 2.55 to be the best in terms of lowest CPU utilization, especially under Windows 2000/XP. Running VLC, Newer or older versions of these DVD players tend to increase CPU utilization and lower picture quality or if you're talking about the latest version, then higher picture quality. Running this specific version of Power DVD (2.55) managed to bring my Laptop's Celeron 600mhz CPU utilization to 40%, taking advantage of the Rage Mobility video card when playing DVDs. VLC and the newer/older versions of WinDVD or PowerDVD had CPU utlization around 60% all the way to 100% which isn't acceptable if you're trying to watch a movie on your battery.

I had larger gains on my other Laptop computer which has a Neomagic 256AV video card and 600mhz PIII processor. (From 80-100% down to 50%)

 

[Mide]

PowerDVD. It's all about turning on subtitles and running a movie at 2x speed.

 

[0roo0roo]

gomplayer does that better, even makes the voices clearer somehow, but it only works on computer videos..avis/mkvs etc. even flvs from youtube if you download them, change speed in 10% increments up to 4x!! lol shame it doesn't work on dvds though