DVD Player: Check. . . DVD PLayer Software: No so much
 

Ok - I do have a DVD drive in my computer that I never use. I reinstalled Windows about 12 months ago and never reinstalled the software. I got this Cyberlink PowerDVD player that came with it and when I installed it - it craps the bed and crashes. When I try to patch it, the patch won't install since it says I don't have it registered.

I emailed Dell to see if they felt like giving me the reg. number, but maybe they won't.

Anyone out there recomend something that I can use to watch movies on my computer. I really don't want to have to pay for this. This was all driven by the new monitor that I bought. Damn ADD. How did I get here? I think I was supposed to be cleaning the garage or something. . .

Any help would be appreciated . . .

Intervideo DVD works great for me

Strange, PowerDVD has always worked perfectly for me. Interestingly enough, WinDVD, which is what came with my DVD drive, wouldn't even install. So I...ahem...acquired PowerDVD instead ;) Do the same and I'm sure it'll work fine. It truly is the best DVD program out there I think.

I second that. :) PowerDVD has always worked just great for me, so that would be my recommendation.

yeah, i think the consensus will be on PowerDVD, so you may just want to consider buying it :)

If you want free, just use Windows Media Player. It's not as good as the other suggestions, but it should do what you want.

but does WMP play DVDs?

Yes.

WMP 9 actually isn't half-bad. I've used it for a while, with the DFX DSP plugin.

P.S.

root me...I like that! :)

WinDVD 5 gets my vote. Great software..

Yep, I gotta cast my vote with PowerDVD too. :)

Power DVD user here too

Anyone who pays for DVD playback software is throwing away cash... It can be had for free on any platform
www.videolan.org

If you have issue with that I am sure you can find others.

Decrypting CSS protected DVDs (even if you own them) with player software that does not have a license to decrypt DVDs (anything free, there is a per decoder fee, so they'd have to charge for it) in the united states violates the DMCA, as does merely having the software to do it.

That said, the DMCA is a horrible law, so do it anyway. Then turn yourself in.

I second VLC.

The legal implications of libdvdcss haven't been proven in court yet. Unless they have since last time I checked ;-)

Great software and *FREE*

powerdvd and cyberlink dvd are good