Windows 8.1 DVD Issues

snips86x · 5 May 2014 at 16:02

I have been happily using Windows 8.1 for some time now and I've come to play a DVD and Windows is refusing to recognise a DVD has been inserted, thus not playing on Media Player.

I've reset the AutoPlay option, unable to find the defaults, but this has again, not resolved it. I have set media player as the default, but it still will not recognise a DVD.

How can Windows not play a DVD - Frustrated is not the word, something a lot lot stronger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suggestions?

Elevon · 5 May 2014 at 17:07

snips86x said:
I have been happily using Windows 8.1 for some time now and I've come to play a DVD and Windows is refusing to recognise a DVD has been inserted, thus not playing on Media Player.

I've reset the AutoPlay option, unable to find the defaults, but this has again, not resolved it. I have set media player as the default, but it still will not recognise a DVD.

How can Windows not play a DVD - Frustrated is not the word, something a lot lot stronger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suggestions?

Use VLC Player http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html it's free and plays virtually anything.

Also did you try a different DVD just in case it's bad and unreadable?

theheyes · 5 May 2014 at 18:06

Windows 8.x doesn't play DVDs out of the box unfortunately.

snips86x · 5 May 2014 at 18:52

Elevon said:
Use VLC Player http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html it's free and plays virtually anything.

Also did you try a different DVD just in case it's bad and unreadable?

The DVD is fine and I was trying to avoid using VLC, but as a last resort, I guess I'll just run with it.

theheyes said:
Windows 8.x doesn't play DVDs out of the box unfortunately.

Well..............that is nothing but ****!

Who would have thought that a media based OS wouldn't play DVDs'. Way to go Microsucks!!

Orcvader · 5 May 2014 at 19:12

They removed DVD support for some stupid reason: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/dvd-playback-help

They just want you to buy the Media Center Pack which brings back the DVD support for their stock player. Best just to download an alternative.

I recommend MPC-BE instead of VLC to be honest, but that's just personal preferences.

MagicBoy · 5 May 2014 at 19:17

The stupid reason was licensing fees, most likely for the codecs.

Elevon · 5 May 2014 at 19:29

MagicBoy said:
The stupid reason was licensing fees, most likely for the codecs.

It's kind of ironic since they gave out a lot of free WMC keys for awhile when Win8 was first released ,I actually got 3 free WMC keys that way for 8.

MagicBoy · 5 May 2014 at 19:46

WMC includes the DVD playback they stripped out of the standard media player. I think it's a chargeable add on now? Also requires the Pro edition.

snips86x · 5 May 2014 at 19:51

MagicBoy said:
WMC includes the DVD playback they stripped out of the standard media player. I think it's a chargeable add on now? Also requires the Pro edition.

Thankfully, the version I purchased through work was Pro. Will see how the WMC goes.