Cheapest (legal) way to play Blu-Ray?

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lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
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Alright...so how do i know its legal? Call the freaking FBI?

I don't know tbh. Personally, I don't worry about it, but it could be a very real concern, especially if you're using it in a business setting. All it takes is one pissed off employee to sic the BSA on you, and you'll be in a world of hurt if your software isn't 100% legit.
 

RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,661
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I don't know tbh. Personally, I don't worry about it, but it could be a very real concern, especially if you're using it in a business setting. All it takes is one pissed off employee to sic the BSA on you, and you'll be in a world of hurt if your software isn't 100% legit.

It's for personal use.

Also, I've been googling all over the place and haven't really found anything that says its illegal on US territory.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,736
11,113
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It's for personal use.

Also, I've been googling all over the place and haven't really found anything that says its illegal on US territory.

That's because it's something people don't really care about. You're not gonna have the FBI beating down your door because they suspect you're using unlicensed codecs, but some people are constrained by morals, philosophy, or necessity(businesses) to having fully licensed software.
 

RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,661
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That's because it's something people don't really care about. You're not gonna have the FBI beating down your door because they suspect you're using unlicensed codecs, but some people are constrained by morals, philosophy, or necessity(businesses) to having fully licensed software.

If i knew it was illegal, i would take it down right away...Now i'm in huge doubt whether i should keep it lol...
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,736
11,113
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You'd have to look them up individually. You can probably assume that if they didn't ship with Windows, you have to pay for it.
 

alcoholbob

Diamond Member
May 24, 2005
6,390
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Most of this stuff law enforcement would never touch. It's entirely up to content/IP owners to prosecute. You have to realize, you are breaking some kind of law or regulation every day in your life. You just aren't being prosecuted because nobody who enforces these minor infractions is thinks its worth the effort.

Also you have to realize, "illegal" and "enforceable" are entirely different things. Many things would be "illegal" yet completely indefensible in court. IPs/trademarks, etc, are just mired in so much muck that sometimes the content owners themselves didn't realize (or care) what other people are doing is actually illegal.
 

Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
30,672
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That's because it's something people don't really care about. You're not gonna have the FBI beating down your door because they suspect you're using unlicensed codecs, but some people are constrained by morals, philosophy, or necessity(businesses) to having fully licensed software.

And most people just use WinDVD or whatever came with their computer which includes the cost of the appropriate licenses so it's not an issue for them.
 

RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,661
3
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And most people just use WinDVD or whatever came with their computer which includes the cost of the appropriate licenses so it's not an issue for them.
Most people don't build their own PCs on a budget :eek:

It's tough to drop $700 on a PC, then go to play a movie and have to drop another $75 on a Program :|

Open Source FTW!
 

Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
30,672
0
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Most people don't build their own PCs on a budget :eek:

It's tough to drop $700 on a PC, then go to play a movie and have to drop another $75 on a Program :|

Open Source FTW!

No, most people drop the $700 on a Dell or something that comes with everything they need. I got tired of building my own shit years ago.

In general I agree with the OSS sentiment, I run Linux everywhere myself, but you should still be aware of the licensing requirements behind that OSS software which most people seem to ignore.
 

alanwest09872

Golden Member
Aug 12, 2007
1,100
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Thanks everyone. Yes this is a slim external USB DVD drive for use on both my laptop and desktop.

I will try K-Lite codec pack.

I have AnyDVD, but only recently realized I had to pay to upgarde to AnyDVD HD, which I'm assuming would allow me to play Blu-Ray discs? It's $65 upgrade from AnyDVD, and if it lets me play it on any media player that would be better. But I will also check out TotalMedia Theater.

Seems kinda odd though that you can buy a component Blu-Ray player for $100 but it costs $100 alone for any software to play it on the PC.

Your better off getting cyberlink or arcsoft. they both have options that tunes the picture and makes it much clear then with using vlc or media player. I have used all 3 and my favorite by far is cyberlink. In my personal opinion it gives the best picture and sound quality. also allows for free plugins like the new 3d one (which I have used alot) where with arcsoft you have to pay for plugins like that.

So in my opinion bite the bullet and get cyberlink. I am willing to opload it so you can download it for free. I know you said legal way but who cares it saves you 100 bucks in the long run


I also took the time to upload the software just click the following link to download the file. Its a setup.exe file 123.5 Mb
http://www.mediafire.com/?0hrwfddxhrdqdov
 
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RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,661
3
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No, most people drop the $700 on a Dell or something that comes with everything they need. I got tired of building my own shit years ago.

In general I agree with the OSS sentiment, I run Linux everywhere myself, but you should still be aware of the licensing requirements behind that OSS software which most people seem to ignore.

I can get 3x's a better computer for the same price you get a piece of shit dell.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,736
11,113
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I can get 3x's a better computer for the same price you get a piece of shit dell.

Now that I'd like to see. Dell has pretty good quality computers. There may not be many options for the enthusiast, but it runs stock as well as anything. Anything mid priced and under, it's almost always cheaper to go Dell. You can really only beat them on a high end machine.
 

RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,661
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Now that I'd like to see. Dell has pretty good quality computers. There may not be many options for the enthusiast, but it runs stock as well as anything. Anything mid priced and under, it's almost always cheaper to go Dell. You can really only beat them on a high end machine.

System i help put together for another member...


1 x ($18.99) DVD BUR SONY OPTIARC | AD-7261S-0B% - OEM $18.99 - Upgraded
1 x ($39.99) CASE ANTEC| VSK-2000 R $39.99
1 x ($9.99) CPU THERMPASTE|AS5-3.5G % - OEM $9.99
1 x ($179.99) MEM 4Gx2|GSKILL F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL $179.99 - Upgraded
1 x ($48.99) VGA SAPPHIRE| 100253HDM HD4650 R $48.99
1 x ($99.99) MB ASUS|M4A785TD-V EVO 785G RT $99.99
1 x ($84.99) PSU OCZ|OCZ700MXSP 700W RT $84.99 - Upgraded
1 x ($180.99) CPU AMD|PH II X4 970 3.5G AM3 RT $180.99 - Upgraded
1 x ($-69.10) DISCOUNT FOR PROMOTION CODE$-69.10 (about $20 of this is for my extras)

663 before rebate, 593 w/ AR. Switch out that Vid card, put in either an HD5770 or an HD4870 and you got a monster computer for about 700. I would already have a HDD, Office and W7Ux64. 4.00 shipping, no taxes for FL...Boom...
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,736
11,113
126
Not bad... Already having Windows is cheating, but that looks fairly competitive. I'll have to check Dell to see what they're currently selling for.

Edit:
Looks like you win this one. You wait till next time... :^P
 
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Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
30,672
0
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I can get 3x's a better computer for the same price you get a piece of shit dell.

According to your post at 19:56, you didn't make the 3x mark. And you also left out the cost of most software, which was the whole point of my last comment. When someone buys a real OEM machine from someone like Dell they also get licenses for things like Windows and WinDVD, which cover their use of the codecs that come with WinDVD. An OEM machine usually comes with a lot more than is represented on the receipt.
 

Steltek

Diamond Member
Mar 29, 2001
3,448
1,190
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According to your post at 19:56, you didn't make the 3x mark. And you also left out the cost of most software, which was the whole point of my last comment. When someone buys a real OEM machine from someone like Dell they also get licenses for things like Windows and WinDVD, which cover their use of the codecs that come with WinDVD. An OEM machine usually comes with a lot more than is represented on the receipt.

Of course, he also slipped in that little "after rebate" nugget. Loose the rebates, and the price is just so-so. There was a time I was willing to fight tooth and nail for rebates, but I just don't have the energy to do it any more. They have pretty much become the hardware manufacturers' preferred method of shafting customers.

While I do still tend to prefer to build my own personal desktops (I like to pick out my hardware components based upon quality from sellers I trust), I also won't turn down a good big box prebuilt if it is available for a good price. The best desktop I ever owned was a converted Dell 400SC server running XP professional - paid like $250 for it, used it off and on for about 6 years before retiring it, and it still runs as well as it did the day I bought it. Can't play many games on it, but it'll do everything else.

You can bet that when I buy for someone else, the Dell outlet is always my first stop. I've had problems with their technical support before, but it has always worked out in the end.
 

htwingnut

Member
Jun 11, 2008
182
0
0
Thanks everyone. Just for the record, K-Lite + VLC does NOT work to play Blu-Ray. Unless I'm doing something wrong.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Nonetheless, the stock/standard Dell Studio XPS 7100 at $750 competes well against his $700 target. Dell also offers discounts and coupons with regular frequency, and the outlet is also an option.

I'm happy to build my own machines, but I never recommend it to other people. I just tell them to get a Dell (or Mac if I think it would suit them better).
 

RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,661
3
0
According to your post at 19:56, you didn't make the 3x mark. And you also left out the cost of most software, which was the whole point of my last comment. When someone buys a real OEM machine from someone like Dell they also get licenses for things like Windows and WinDVD, which cover their use of the codecs that come with WinDVD. An OEM machine usually comes with a lot more than is represented on the receipt.


Lol, bro. I can build any dell machine(if not better) for 1/2, maybe 2/3rds the price, the rest covers the licenses...so truly...
 

htwingnut

Member
Jun 11, 2008
182
0
0
For a no frills PC, Dell, HP, Acer, whatever is the way to go imho. If you want any kind of power, best to go with a self-built PC. I personally like to pick my components, even for a basic web and apps machine, but that's because I'm a geek. I've usually speced out Dell or HP or Acer or other Best Buy type PC for someone looking for a cheap PC not expected to do much. Usually those are hard to beat pricewise.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,736
11,113
126
Thanks everyone. Just for the record, K-Lite + VLC does NOT work to play Blu-Ray. Unless I'm doing something wrong.

I didn't think that would work, but I didn't say so do to lack of personal experience. You'll probably have to buy a Bluray player package.
 

RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,661
3
0
Thanks everyone. Just for the record, K-Lite + VLC does NOT work to play Blu-Ray. Unless I'm doing something wrong.
Did you use K-Lite and Media Play Classic(I think thats what it's called, it's the program that comes with k-lite)
 

abaez

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
7,155
1
81
You need AnyDVD to remove the encryption for it to work on either VLC or MPC.
 

Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,046
4
81
You need AnyDVD to remove the encryption for it to work on either VLC or MPC.
But...AnyDVD costs almost as much as a full blu-ray player software. Why not just buy the blu-ray software for $75 (like I first suggested above) and be done with it.