dvd player
 

can anyone recommend a decent dvd player for XP? got powerDVD, but it won't play some copy-protected discs (such as Mr and Mrs Smith)

tia

Re: dvd player
 

I havn't noticed any problems with PowerDVD???

- however I do also use 'Alshow', currently free while in beta

http://www.altools.net/ALTools/ALSho...7/Default.aspx

which seems to work ok & 'phones home' if it can't find a suitable codec installed.

Re: dvd player
 

nice one, thanks for that

Re: dvd player
 

no problem :) - I'd be interested in what you think of it. I came across it while trying to find a suitable codec for some divx files. It is fairly basic, but so far has played averything I have tried it with .

Re: dvd player
 

does it use full 5.1 channels? for example, i know WMP doesn't do 5.1 very well, if at all. powerDVD does, so I'd like one that sounds good!

Re: dvd player
 

there is certainly a setting for 5.1 sound, however I haven't tried it - I use an external player, as well, & that connects to my surround amp. I tend to use the player in my PC for listening late at night with headphones.

- the settings are

'choose sound device' - directsound

'normalisation' - puts more sound in the central frequencies

'spdif enable' - for suitable hardware

'Number of Channels' - 2, 2.1, 4, 5.1

'Audio capture' - wav or ogg (haven't tried this)

Re: dvd player
 

I use VLC player (videolan) for......everything. Has most codecs built in TBH, only ever had the odd problem with a WMP player specific file. Not the slickest DVD player but sure does kick it for everything else and its free :D

Re: dvd player
 

What's the error PowerDVD comes up with? I've been using PowerDVD since V3 (I am currently watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer using V6), and I have never had any problems with it, unless the drive is malfunctioning or the disk is dirty.

In fact, IIRC, if the drive was manufactured after January 2000, then the chances are the drive's onboard software decrypts the dvd, and not PowerDVD.

Re: dvd player
 

Anydvd will almost certainly get rid of the protection error, I use Zoom Player to play dvd's but you must have a dvd codec from a 3rd party player installed, like power dvd to play them. Use AC3 filter (freeware) for 5.1 sound.

Re: dvd player
 

I use DVD Xplayer pro. A regionfree software dvd player.

Re: dvd player
 

Most likley to be arrcos or ripguard if its a Sony or Columbia release.

DVD43 should get you around these.

Hope this helps.