Dvd decoder

[Roundtree]

Yesterday I deleted the Cyberlink DVD 4.0 XP bundled software that came with my pc. As a result Wmp 11 and Real Player would not function. I kept getting a message that I needed the dvd decoder software that was originally installed on my pc. So I reinstalled Cyberlink and now both players work normally.

My question is this: I would like to replace Cyberlink 4.0 XP with another more updated software without paying the high prices that are asked by the well known brands such as Cyberlink and Roxio.
Any suggestions??

Thank you,

Robert.

[Charlie]

What OS are you using?

[Roundtree]

I am using WinXP Home SP2. My pc is een standard AMD 2800+ with 1GB Ram.

[Charlie]

Hmmm WMP 11 doesn't need this I thought. Let me look into this and I'll get back yo you ASAP.

[Roundtree]

Thanks. I am searching the net now and I see that among Microsoft's suggestions for a dvd decoder is Roxio's CinePlayer plugin for Wmp 11. My Cyberlink 4.0 XP software that I received with the purchase of my pc is 4 years old! I just would like to replace it with an updated software without the unnecessary high prices and extra features.

[Charlie]

I use MCE plugin on Vista so that's why I have it. I do think you need something like PowerDVD or such to be able to play in XP but I am still looking as well. You don't need to use PowerDVD but the decoder installed will allow you to run it in WMP too.

[Charlie]

I have cofirmed that you do need the use of a plugin from third party software like PowerDVD or you can look at this as well to get more choices.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/plugins.aspx#DVDDecoder

[Roundtree]

I am considering buying Roxio's CinePlayer plugin for Wmp 11. It's a download. According to Roxio it will greatly improve audio and video quality. This seems to be the best since none of the features that I dont need are included.

[Charlie]

I don't like Roxio at all to be honest. I use to use The NVIDIA DVD Decoder before I moved to Vista. Vista doesn't need a dvd decoder.

[Roundtree]

Thanks Charlie! Funny you should say that. I was just thinking to try the Nivdia product mentioned on the link that you provided. Is that the Nivdia Decoder that you once used?

[Charlie]

Yes it is.

[Roundtree]

Ok. Then its good enough for me. I will try it out. NVIDIA PureVideo Decoder Platinum 30 day Trial. First I will make a "system herstel punt" (I don't know what you call it in English. Its just making a "marker" in XP so that I set windows back to its state previous to the Nivdia installation.
I will keep you informed.

[Charlie]

Ok. Then its good enough for me. I will try it out. NVIDIA PureVideo Decoder Platinum 30 day Trial. First I will make a "system herstel punt" (I don't know what you call it in English. Its just making a "marker" in XP so that I set windows back to its state previous to the Nivdia installation.
I will keep you informed.

System Restore Point in english. It's ok and even better that it is a 30 day trial to see if it fits your needs.

[Charlie]

If you don't mind my bad google translate text I can open the German section I have waiting as I see your native language is dutch which is similar but not the same.

[Roundtree]

Thank you Charlie, but I would prefer staying here in the English section. As for the Nivdia PureVideo Decoder, I have downloaded and installed it. I have even found a user's guide on the net which is helpful. I can see the difference in clarity of picture & hear the difference in surround sound even though the settings are not yet properly adjusted (I think).
I have another question please. When I click the Video_TS file in the map to which I have just copied a dvd film to my hard drive the movie does not play. When I click the same file in the map of dvd film that I recorded yesterday the movie begins to play.
I do not know why.

[Charlie]

I don't quite follow you on the Video_TS part.

[Roundtree]

The 1st file in the map to which I copied the dvd film is Video_TS, then there is Video_TS.BUP, Video_TS.IFO, VTS_01_0, VTS_01_0.BUP, VTS_01_0.IFO, VTS_01_1

There are more files with similar endings, numbering up to the number 13. I think the film has 13 chapters. Usually I can double click the Video_TS file or the VTS_01_1 file and the movie begins to play all the way to the end. But this time its not doing that.

Wish that I could send you a "snapshot" of the files but for some reason I cannot paste it here from my clipboard.

[Charlie]

I would think the whole file isn't there then. I just did a rip and all played well. Well with what I watched as it was a 75 minute movie.

[Roundtree]

OK. Please tell me what file you clicked in order to start the movie? If you did not click on a file such as those I listed above, how did you start the movie/

[Charlie]

VIDEO_TS.VOB is the one I always use, after that the others are linked to that VOB.

[Roundtree]

I just succeeded in opening the Video_TS file using Real Player. I therefore think that I copied the dvd to my hard drive without error. the problem must be elsewhere but where?

[Charlie]

Not sure to really be honest What was you using before?

[Roundtree]

Greetings Charlie. I deleted the complete map containing the movie that I was having problems with (namely, "Warriors of Heven & Earth") and made a fresh copy. It's now playing as it should. When I click on the VIDEO_TS. VOB file the movie begins plays from beginning to end. Thanks for your input!
Two questions, please: one, if I copy a movie to my hard disk, knowing that I will later burn it to a dvd, is it better to copy it in the ISO format? two, if I do copy it using this format will I be able to view the movie in wmp 11?
As you can see I am really new at this but I am not lazy. I am reading, reading, reading.

[Smduff]

yes playing an iso on your computer using wmp11 should work just fine.

[Roundtree]

Thank you smduff. In order to play a movie copied to my C drive in the ISO format do I need to download & install the (free) Virtual Drive offered by dvdnextcopy? Will the movies play without a virtual drive?

[ReadMeToo]

Yesterday I deleted the Cyberlink DVD 4.0 XP bundled software that came with my pc. As a result Wmp 11 and Real Player would not function. I kept getting a message that I needed the dvd decoder software that was originally installed on my pc. So I reinstalled Cyberlink and now both players work normally.

My question is this: I would like to replace Cyberlink 4.0 XP with another more updated software without paying the high prices that are asked by the well known brands such as Cyberlink and Roxio.
Any suggestions??

Thank you,

Robert.

With Cyberlink installed you will need to go into the control panel in add remove programs an reset Windows defaults

Reset WM11 as the default player if your trying to use both

[Smduff]

yes you can mount the iso to the virtual drive and play it.

[ReadMeToo]

This is a old version of a new WMP, but streamlined down revamped and works.

Media Player Classic v6.4.9.1 (http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_players/media_player_classic.cfm)

[Roundtree]

I uninstalled the Cyberlink 4.0 XP bundled software using CCleaner so I am sure all traces of it are gone. The only installed players are wmp 11 and real player. I am using the trial version of Nivdia PureVideo & am enjoying the difference it makes so I am not interested in using real player.

What's confusing to me is that I have heard that stand alone dvd players will not play dvds in the VOB format. Aren't dvd movies sold in the VOB format?

[HemiDog]

Read number 11 in my links below for info on DVD file structure information.

[Roundtree]

Thank you HemiDog. I went to the website referred to by number 11 in your lists of links. It was basic, to the point and exactly the explanation I needed.
Being new at dvd copying & burning I was confused. Even though I now understand that not backing up my dvd's in the ISO format doesn't mean they will not play in a stand alone dvd player I do not understand why some people choose to backup in the ISO format. Doing so means installing a virtual drive on your pc and this format does not play in a commercial dvd player. I know there are good reasons for it, its just that I do not know enough at this point to understand it.
Can you help me to know why some prefer to backup using ISO?

[Charlie]

Thank you HemiDog. I went to the website referred to by number 11 in your lists of links. It was basic, to the point and exactly the explanation I needed.
Being new at dvd copying & burning I was confused. Even though I now understand that not backing up my dvd's in the ISO format doesn't mean they will not play in a stand alone dvd player I do not understand why some people choose to backup in the ISO format. Doing so means installing a virtual drive on your pc and this format does not play in a commercial dvd player. I know there are good reasons for it, its just that I do not know enough at this point to understand it.
Can you help me to know why some prefer to backup using ISO?

I use ISO format due to I use a third party burning program to booktype to DVD-ROM as this is the same format as a commercial DVD but the burnt copy must be read as a DVD-ROM though if it is a plus or minus it may or can cause playback issues. So there is one reason why one would fo ISO over video_ts.