Need a free DVD decoder...

[SpydaMan]

I just did a clean install of XP on my computer due to a bad hard drive. My DVD player will no longer work, and I get the following message from Windows Media PLayer...

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

Can someone tell me where I can get a free decoder??? I found one the last time I formatted my hdd, but cannot remember where I found it at. Thanks so much.

EDIT: I would like something that will allow me to use Windows Media PLayer for DVD if possible.

[Panama Red]

Didn't your Liteon drive come with Power DVD? If not, you must have bought the oem version. I googled "free dvd player" and checked on Snapfiles.com. This one came up as the number one choice. I've never used it so let us know if it works for you if you decide to try it.

http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/avs-dvd-player/avsdvd.html

[SpydaMan]

Didn't your Liteon drive come with Power DVD?

No, this is my old computer I am speaking of, a HP 520N. I am using an OEM version of XP so the drivers are missing...

I will try the file you mentioned and see how it works. I think the last time I used a DivX file...

[MaxRat]

the free trial of Nero will work 6 or 7

and I have used Power DVD in the past..either are fine

Divx will also work

[SpydaMan]

As I said, I would be happy if I can get it to play with Windows Media Player, but if I can't, that's fine too. I thought there was a free decoder to get it to play there... anyway...

I downloaded DivX thinking for some reason the decoder would work with WMP... no luck...

I downloaded AVS DVD Player, seems like it might work but the player is still loading the DVD and stuck at 96%...

[MaxRat]

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu9EICmxGSNoAjWBXNyoA?p=free+windows+media+player+dvd+codec&y=Search&fr=yfp-t-501

may help?

Nero6 free version

this has the codec for WMP...I would use WMP 10 if you can find it..unless you have 11 and like It...(I dont)

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu9NOCmxGlnwATtdXNyoA?p=free+Nero+6&fr=yfp-t-501

[SpydaMan]

I downloaded Nero 6 and the Microsoft Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup utility still says I have no MPEG-2 decoder... so WMP still does not play a DVD...

[Panama Red]

I downloaded Nero 6 and the Microsoft Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup utility still says I have no MPEG-2 decoder... so WMP still does not play a DVD...

I think that's cuz Nero is a Recorder not a Player. Power DVD and the like will have the necessary codecs.

[TwoRails]

You can give VLC a try. It's not bad:

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

[LittleGhoti]

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

[MaxRat]

I downloaded Nero 6 and the Microsoft Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup utility still says I have no MPEG-2 decoder... so WMP still does not play a DVD...


Thats weird...When I load Nero6 in the XP box WMP will play a DVD no problem... wonder what gives?

I am sure you'll find one that works...

I used to be a big fan of WMP untill I started using Nero Showtime...I like it alot better and it works very well for my htpc... actuall fits the screen better than WPM...I still use WMP for my juke box but I only use WMP-10...