DVD solution?

[Rocket34]

I want to get a DVD drive, but am confused about OEM packaging. If I do purchase such a product, what do I miss out on? Something essential I cannot download (excluding free bonus software)?

Also, what about the so-called DVD encoder card? Necessary? Does it sometimes come bundled?

 

[kami]

You'll have to buy your own DVD playback software if you go the OEM route. Get PowerDVD or WinDVD. A decoder card is not necessary unless you want to output to a television.

 

[Moonbeam]

I got a utobia combo with the pioneer 16x and Hollywood plus decoder card at frys. They can be pruchased separately too. people seem to be recommending PowerDVD which can be had (trial) off the net. I couldn't get the software wo work with a bran new aopen gforce mx card even with kami's help which is why I got my friend to buy the Hollywood card. I got the combo and get a great hardware rendered DVD, in my opinion, out of it.

 

[Rocket34]

Where would I be able to get such a combo (retail)?

 

[mosdef]

Look for Quickfingerz post and do what his sig says . You should find PowerDVD and WinDVD there.

-mosdef

 

[Rocket34]

I found the PC-DVD Encore 12X DVD-ROM drive with PCI MPEG DXR3 decoder card for $126. Good deal?

 

[Moonbeam]

The pioneer 16x is aroung 105 and the hollywood around 50. I don't know about other brands.

 

[Shu8]

the only thing you don't get in an oem dvd drive is the software or decoder card. i would suggest software decoding. you can either a.) download illegally or b.) buy it for 50 bucks. i did choice a