dvd decoder

[Tdawg951]

i bought a dvd drive a few months ago, and it came without any software (got it cheap). anyways, i downloaded a few freeware programs and eventually got it to work (after trying about 5 or 6). I just reformated, and thus lost all my programs. I have a player (it came with the Shrek DVD) but it says that it needs a dvd decoder. Any ideas where to get one?

Thanks for any help,
TDAWG

 

[AA0]

If you have an ATI card, then you already have a decoder. You obviously don't have a hardware DVD decoder. Your only choice is the larger inferior software decoding. Something like windvd or powerdvd.

 

[syztemshack]

just get a hardware decoder, they're much better than software. the best is the Real Magic Hollywood Plus, it goes for about $50 online, just check at www.pricewatch.com .

 

[Carrot44]

I have Powerdvd with a Athlon 1.4 gig and 512 meg of memory works just as good as hardware decoder. but the program is pricy and if you don't have a fast cpu memory comb I would go Hardware I also have the ATI 64 DDR and I think it ads alot to the playback quality

 

[AA0]

if you have a ATI 64 DDR you are using the hardware decoder... thats why its seems just as good.

 

[Workin']

<< just get a hardware decoder, they're much better than software >>

That's a retarded statement. Obviously you've never used software decoding on a modern computer.

 

[Tdawg951]

anyone know of a good *free* decoder? I have a 1.4 Ghz athlon with 512 Ram, so i think thats my best option

 

[AA0]

You've obviously never used a modern hardware decoder, much better than software.

 

[Gunbuster]

A hardware decoder looks like cr@p on a monitor, only get a hardware decoder for TV out (it's great for that)

 

[Workin']

<< You've obviously never used a modern hardware decoder, much better than software. >>

Yeah, right. Whatever. There's NO WAY you can tell the difference when either one is properly set up. I've used EVERY commonly available decoder out there that works with Windows, hardware or software. I know what I am talking about.

There is no *free* decoder. Any legitimate DVD decoder requires the payment of a $5 royalty to the DVD consortium, so giving it away is not really an option. You'll either have to buy a decoder, buy some some hardware that comes with decoder software, or steal one from somewhere.

 

[Tdawg951]

<There is no *free* decoder. Any legitimate DVD decoder requires the payment of a $5 royalty to the DVD consortium, so giving it away is not really an option. You'll either have to buy a decoder, buy some some hardware that comes with decoder software, or steal one from somewhere. >

is there somewhere that i can pay $5 to download one? Or a cheap hardware version?

 

[Workin']

I recall seeing a website or two selling an older version of PowerDVD for about $9, I can't remember where though, sorry.