best DVD playing software - what do you use?

joshlane · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:59

i'm in the middle of a fresh install for my system, is WMP sufficent for my DVD playing needs or is there another player that will take advantage of my Xfi SC, 6.1 surround sound?

thoughts and opinions welcome!

jbloggs · 10 Jul 2007 at 20:04

VLC Media Player

Lonewolf · 10 Jul 2007 at 20:14

Have used PowerDvd for a number of years now without any problems although, I believe VLC player will play anything you throw at it.

MarcLister · 10 Jul 2007 at 20:26

jbloggs said:
VLC Media Player

Bingo, on the money as usual.

gurusan · 10 Jul 2007 at 20:29

i just use WMP11

MarcLister · 10 Jul 2007 at 20:30

gurusan said:
i just use WMP11

Does WMP11 have its own DVD codec then? I thought MS didn't/couldn't do that?

So you must use a codec pack for WMP11 to play DVDs?

marc2003 · 10 Jul 2007 at 20:31

MarcLister said:
So you must use a codec pack for WMP11 to play DVDs?

just ffdshow by itself is enough to play dvds in wmp.

Craigius · 10 Jul 2007 at 20:36

jbloggs said:
VLC Media Player

Same here

gurusan · 10 Jul 2007 at 20:37

MarcLister said:
Does WMP11 have its own DVD codec then? I thought MS didn't/couldn't do that?

So you must use a codec pack for WMP11 to play DVDs?

yeah I use ffdshow

bledd · 10 Jul 2007 at 21:13

media player classic

clean, simple, fast

MarcLister · 10 Jul 2007 at 21:15

gurusan said:
yeah I use ffdshow

Ah yes.

joshlane · 10 Jul 2007 at 21:20

in terms of playing everything all i really watch is DVD's and the occasional divx video when i've missed the GP, football etc (of which WMP with a codec works fine with).

does VLC really take full advantage of good hardware, the reason i say this is that its, free, unflashy and small!

or is that the perfect blend?

Glaucus · 10 Jul 2007 at 21:37

wmp, vlc, classic wmp. One of them is bound to work.

joshlane · 10 Jul 2007 at 21:44

AcidHell2 said:
wmp, vlc, classic wmp. One of them is bound to work.

i know what your saying, i've used these for years i was just wondering if i've been missing out on anything or whether there is some superior home cinema esq type software, i guess that all comes down to your hardware then and not the software.

was just a thought when me and the gf sat down to watch blow.....

Glaucus · 10 Jul 2007 at 21:48

joshlane said:
i know what your saying, i've used these for years i was just wondering if i've been missing out on anything or whether there is some superior home cinema esq type software, i guess that all comes down to your hardware then and not the software.

everyone says vlc plays everything, but I've found plenty that doesn't work on it. I just have all three installed with WMP as default. If it doesn't work in that one then try the others.

InvaderGIR · 10 Jul 2007 at 21:58

I use The Core Media Player, version 4.11 (no newer versions are coming out). But you have to donate to recieve DVD playing abilities. I've found solong as I have codecs installed (you very often need them for vlc anyways) it'll play anything prettymuch, and well.
It'll play everything for free, and the DVD is the only registration (donation) required thing.

I've never liked vlc, I use WMP if I haven't gotton round to installing TCMP.

InvG

gurusan · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:00

honestly I hated wmp10...but wmp11 takes the cake. does everything I want it to and it looks purdy too

bledd · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:04

invader gir,

give ffdshow and media player classic a try (install both, ffdshow is a filterpack for playing videos)

jbloggs · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:10

I suppose in the end, it is just a case of personal preference with what works best for you on your setup. The players that have been mentioned all individually have good points, some more so than others.

MarcLister · 10 Jul 2007 at 22:11

jbloggs said:
I suppose in the end, it is just a case of personal preference with what works best for you on your setup. The players that have been mentioned all individually have good points, some more so than others.

You should get your username changed to pbloggs for "Philosophical Bloggs".