DVD without Decoder card?

[Neosho_Boy]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could tell me if it is possible take a bare DVD drive and use it with my Matrox G400 video card with out a Decoder card? Also what would be a good drive to get if this is possible!

Thanks
Neosho_Boy

[Bsdboy]

Sure you can use a DVD without a decoder.
You can check out different software players
here: http://www.digital-digest.com/dvd/software/players/index.html
I like Power DVD

Bsdboy

[NDD]

Yep, G400 shows really crystal picture without any decoder card (as almost every todays videocard).
As for the DVD, any good brand-name will be fine. I personally like Asus (x12x40), but Toshiba, Pioneer and likes are fine. Don't like Creative, had troubles reading burned DVDs ...

Best Regards ...

[Neosho_Boy]

Ok thanks! Oh another Question? How do I connect a drive to my Video card? is there some type of cable?

[Mark Stubblefield]

You don't need to connect the drive to your video card. That's why its called software DVD. The software decodes everything using the video cards hardware.

I'm running a Pioneer 16x DVD drive on a G400 MAX, as well as, a GeForce 256 and they both work really well. The G400 has crystal clear picture output.

[This message has been edited by Mark Stubblefield (edited 05-01-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Mark Stubblefield (edited 05-01-2001).]

[Neosho_Boy]

Thanks everyone!

[Kuasimodem]

Even the hardware DVD decoders (like the one in my Radeon DDR) do not need any special connections.

I just insert the DVD and the movie starts playing automatically (if you have auto-insert enabled).

PS - Software decoding looks terrible after you have experienced hardware decoding. Opt for a video card with hardware DVD.

[This message has been edited by Kuasimodem (edited 05-01-2001).]

[VERT]

Although the advantage of having a decoder card is if you have a Digital/ DTS reciever, you can hook the 2 together for digital sound. However some soundcards can do this for you now days too.