Free DVD player software?

[krazefinn]

Whats the (if available) best free DVD player software out there?

I have 6 pc's that will be donated through clinic at work, and have been able to scrounge up enough hardware to equip them all with dvd players. Now I need the software, aware of any decent FREE ones out there? Search reveals quite a few, like xine, cliprex, others. Wondering if anyone has reccomendation?

Thanx for the input...

[mobo57]

If you have windows XP, use Windows Media Player latest version, you may have to download some plugins though, no biggie, and it's all free.

[fancyf]

VideoHelp - Software DVD Players (http://www.videohelp.com/tools?listuser=&orderby=Rating&s=11#11)

[Rocketmech]

Media Player Classic (http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=82303&package_id=84358)

[krazefinn]

Having some issues with winME, it is *supposed* to automatically dl and install dvd player, have upgraded to MP9 but as usual, does not have the DVD listed in file types. I'd love to set them up to automatically play dvd files via MP9.

Doesnt ME also play DVD's also?

I did d/l a trial powerDVD to test, and the hardware/sound card etc all work properly through that.

There must be some other (NOT 30 day trial) free dvd players available, but so far havent found one. All the ones I checked didn't even tell you the trial limitation until after d/l and install, doh.

[fancyf]

Originally posted by krazefinn
There must be some other (NOT 30 day trial) free dvd players available, but so far havent found one. All the ones I checked didn't even tell you the trial limitation until after d/l and install, doh. Hmm yep, Media Player Classic... :confused:

Small download, no install and free... would be a good choice. I use it - tho not for DVD -
and it's great. It is the 2nd best rated, on the page I posted (and the one from Rocketmech's link)

[krazefinn]

Hey, thats great. Spent the last hour perusing Ms and MP pages trying to finger it out, but no go.

Appreciate the links and tips...

[fancyf]

Found this from Kelly's site, just thought I'd post it here for reference.

Media Player - DVD

Start > Run > regedit

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\P layer\Settings

- Value Name: EnableDVDUI
- Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
- Value Data: yes or no.

Create a new string value called "EnableDVDUI" and set it to "yes" to enable DVD functionality.

[krazefinn]

Thanks a bunch fancy, not real handy with regedit, need to ask you to clarify how do I add the string value-data type. I created new key named exactly as directed, and modified it to "yes" but have not put in the REG_SZ, how/where do I plaaace that?

BTW dl'd the mpclassic however I still don't seem to be able to play the dvd. I know the hardware works, as I can play it with powerdvd. Must be missing a step somewhere...
thanx so much for your help...admittedly am much more of hardware guy than code guru lol

[fancyf]

Now that my storms are in bed I can quietly post my reply!

krazyfinn.. since I don't have WMP 9 (I have 10) I'm not sure why you don't have the options listed for the DVD drives... mines are under the Play menu. I did the reg thing here if you want it I could send it to you. Though it looks like you need to have some DVD decoder software to enable WMP to play them... (Windows Media - Plug-ins (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/getmore/plugins.aspx#DVDDecoder))

:confused:

But Media Player Classic should be able to play them! - MPC Discussion Forums (http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=281015)

There's software to check codecs too... GSpot (http://www.headbands.com/gspot/) is one.
Been a while since I've configured it and d/led codecs but if I'm not mistaken Media Player Classic usually reports when a codec is missing and gives you links to find what's needed.

So where are all the DVD gurus? :p

Videohelp.com (http://www.videohelp.com) has lots of info on this too, you could check them out.

Salut :t

[krazefinn]

Thanx fancy, yeah I looked at those WMP dl's, problem is, I need 6 of them and they each cost $10 or $15....trying to do this on the free....esp since they'll all be donated...I suppose I could just use my legit PowerDVD license, but then I'd have to worry someone would try to register a copy. Not the right way to go...one of the boxes does have AIW card that includes DVD player, so actually only need to set up 5. I'm wondering if aWinME is the issue hee...could be that XP may have better DVD support, ALTHOUGH ME is also supposed to automatically dl player when DVD installed per MS. Ive just never seen it happen right...
I'm sure with a little more research I'll get this worked out. Mercibeaucoup mademoiselle, you have been a great help. Will check through links thoroughly tonite...

[Rocketmech]

Krazefinn,

The reg tweak works in WMP10 , as I just tested it. I'll try later with 9 if I can get the chance.

Right click your desktop , select New> Text Document. Then Cut & Paste the contents below to the notepad doc. Save As, enabledvd.reg . Then double click the file and say yes to merge the file to the registry.

Open WMP9 > insert a DVD > select Now Playing > select your DVD player .


-----Cut & Paste --------------------

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\P layer\Settings]
"EnableDVDUI"="yes"

----Cut & Paste ---------------------

As for the other freebie's ... watch out , for some come with hitchhiker malware.

[krazefinn]

Thanx rocket, tried to do as Fancy suggested last nite, but I just went in regedit and manually added a new key. Didn't sem to work tho. Thanx for the headsup on malware. ALl the tips greatly appreciated...and pardonez mois for being so dense...!

[fancyf]

Hey np, vous êtes tout pardonné :p
Hope you'll get it working

:t

[r8500]

Rut ro, Fancy is speaking in French again. Now I wont be able to follow along :p