Newbie can't get DVD-ROM to play

[showhost]

Hi all...

Just built my first system and am fired up but I tried to play a DVD and it gave me the following message:

Windows Media Player cannot play this DVD because a compatible DVD decoder is not installed on your computer.

I clicked the "details" button and it took me to more info which included the following:

"In addition to you DVD-ROM drive you must have either a hardware or software decoder in order to play DVDs. A hardware decoder also requires a decoder driver". What the heck is a " decoder" anyway?

I've looked through all the stuff I received from my various vendors and sure there was NO installation disk that came with the DVD player so I don't believe I've installed any drivers for this device (I tell ya, I'm actually forgetting now what I have and haven't installed!)

Curiously, along with my Gainward Video card they sent me a CD for a program called WinDVD which purports to be a "popular software DVD player". But I don't think this contains DVD "drivers" (does it?) as it came with the Graphics card and not the DVD Player.

The Pioneer website says that this DVD ROM is Plug and Play and uses the standard Windows drivers. If so, then why won't it play the DVD? Any thoughts???

Larry

XP Pro
Pioneer mod 116 (16x DVD)

 

[dakata24]

install windvd and it should work.. windows alone doesnt have the means to play the dvd.. windvd, powerdvd, etc. do software decoding of dvd..

 

[caldawghan77]

A dvd-rom needs a decoder to play dvds. Basically it means it needs something to process the information from the dvd to your computer. This decoder can be either accomplished by hardware (hollywood plus is a popular one) or done through software. Without this decoder, your dvd will only act as a cd rom. As dakata24 has mentioned, windvd and powerdvd are popular software decoder programs.

Simply put, usually a hardware decoder will get better results (as in picture quality) but must people find software decoders to be just fine. You should check to see if your dvd rom came with any software. If you have any more questions, just pm me.

Calvin

 

[brianp34]

there is an addon for xp that will let media player play dvd's. email me at brianp34@yahoo.com and i'll point you in the right direction.

brian