DVD decoder - Virtual Dr Forums-Computer Tech Support

Dr Seven · #1 May 2nd, 2006, 02:25 AM

I had a DVD player installed in my computer, but when I went to play a DVD I was told that Windows Media Player couldn't play the DVD without a decoder.

I've looked all over the internet, at least where I know to look, and I can't find a DVD decoder that is free. If there is no such animal then please ignore this. The reason why I'm looking for a free dvd decoder is because I don't have a credit card and therefore can't purchase a dvd decoder.

If, however, someone here knows where I can get a free download of the software for a dvd decoder, then I would appreciate it very much.

I have already looked on Gateway's website whom I purchased the DVD player from and all they have available are dvd decoders for windows 95 and windows 98.

gep · #2 May 2nd, 2006, 06:17 AM

Hello Dr Seven, Try here http://www.cliprex.com/

Or type Free dvd decoders into www.google.com

Also, make sure you have the latest windows media player 10
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...&qstechnology= click to download version 10 if you have a lower version. Also, in SELECT Versions download the Codecs installation packages.

Also, make sure your window is updated www.windowsupdate.com

GEP

**Train** · #3 May 2nd, 2006, 11:50 AM

All you need is the codec and media player will play the dvd.

K-lite full is the base codec package I use. http://www.free-codecs.com/download/...Codec_Pack.htm

Then because I hit a couple that K-lite could not handle, I also use the Coda codec
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multime...dec-pack.shtml

Did a full install of it instead of the default and have been good since then.

Dr Seven · #4 May 2nd, 2006, 02:36 PM

Train,

the link you gave to that K-lite thing took me to a blank white page and I had the word DONE at the bottom of my screen. And the softpedia link took me to a 404 error page saying the page did not exist.

Do you know of anywhere else I can get the codecs?

To the others that replied: the one decoder was not free - it was for sale for 14.95 and the cliperex thing was a free 30 day trial.

But thanks for trying.

ProfessorU · #5 May 2nd, 2006, 02:44 PM

I'm not sure but the divx package may include them. If not, at least you get the divx codecs for free.
www.divx.com

**fink** · #6 May 2nd, 2006, 03:12 PM

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/...Codec_Pack.htm

This is the main pack...

not sure about the exact address for the secondary pack. There are a few to choose from and I don't know which one he had linked to.

Dr Seven · #7 May 2nd, 2006, 03:13 PM

Train,

Apparently the link you sent me was faulty somehow because when I googled for it I got the page for K-Lite. Unfortunately, that was not the solution. It is not compatible with Windows Media Player (I have the latest version. 10) because when I put a dvd into WMP it still told me it couldn't open the dvd and that I needed the decoder. I also have the WM decoder detector and K-LITE was not listed in there when I checked after downloading K-Lite. All it did when I downloaded K-Lite was put it on my program menu and it seems WMP can't recognize it from there.

I should have known that nothing is ever that easy. Every time I try to fix something on my computer -- even with the best advice and most clear directions in the world -- it is a major hassle.

Maybe from what I've told you here you can figure out that I done something wrong and help me get it right? Should I have tried to save K-LIte to my browser as a plug-in?

**fink** · #8 May 2nd, 2006, 03:17 PM

Dr Seven... see my post above yours. Download the standard pack and install it. It should do all automatically... there are no plugins to install.

EDIT- is this the same pack you downloaded and installed already?

Dr Seven · #9 May 2nd, 2006, 04:03 PM

Fink,

I downloaded the Basic Pack to begin with. I did not understand that I needed the Window Media player Classic. The DVD will not play using my Windows Media Player version 10, but when I use media player classic version 9 then the dvd will play. So I guess you can mark this as resolved.

However, I have one final question which you can answer or not as you see fit. Why won't the dvd play in WMP version 10 and will play in media player classic? I mean WMP 10 says it will play dvds if one has the decoder. So what is the difference between media player classic 9 and WMP 10? Isn't K-lite compatible with WMP 10? I thought it was supposed to be a decoder or at least something like that.

**fink** · #10 May 2nd, 2006, 04:36 PM

It should play in WMP10. Usually classic WMP is ver 7 not 9 are you sure you didn't get the numbers wrong? I don't believe 9 and 10 can (should?) be on the computer together.

EDIT- as Train points out WMP classic is ver 6, not 7.

**Train** · #11 May 2nd, 2006, 05:46 PM

Seems the server is still down.

You missed taking out a check mark during the install.

I have done that a few times and just changed the file association.
Open WMP go tools, options, select the file type tab. Make your changes there. It worked for me.
Media player classic is 6.4

Yes, I have 10 and they work fine for me.

I use the full because the Quicktime and Real alternatives do not give me the fits as the take over your computer real thing does. And they work just fine

wojo629 · #12 May 2nd, 2006, 05:50 PM

Try downloading this, will let you know all codecs installed on your PC and can analyze what codec is needed to play movie:

www.headbands.com/gspot/

Dr Seven · #13 May 3rd, 2006, 03:06 AM

wojo - I downloaded gspot, but I have no idea how to use it to analyze what codec is needed. I did see that vob and sub files were highlighted in green and the dvd lists that it has vob and sub files.

Train - I went into WMP and into tools and to files types tab. There I saw that making WMP the default player for dvd had a dark mark over the check mark like it wasn't enabled. I checked that and it was light just like all the other check marks that work. I then went and tried to play the dvd and got the same error message: that WMP player can't open the dvd because there is no dvd decoder.

fink -- yes, I got the numbers wrong. It is version 6 not 9.

Also, when you put a CD in, there is that box that opens on the desk top that provides you with a list of options. There I see an option to play dvds using WM classic. But it doesn't offer me the option of using WMP to play dvds.

So I guesss I can keep playing dvds on WM classic and Cds on WMP -- unles you can tell me what else to do?

btcomm · #14 May 3rd, 2006, 04:57 AM

Why don't you go to www.cliprex.com and download and use the Cliprex DVD Player Professional - Free DVD player software. Download it, install it and then use that to play DVDs instead of WMP. I tried it myself, I guess it does have an ad ware toolbar, but you could probrably remove that after it's installed. I guess it's up to you. Is there any free, good DVD player software that doesn't have ad or spyware in it?

**SuperSparks** · #15 May 3rd, 2006, 11:29 AM

I much prefer PowerDVD to WMP for DVD playback. You may well find that you have a copy, it frequently is bundled with drives or other software.

http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/products/main_1_ENU.html