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sueanddomenick

updated

16 years ago

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7168

July 30th, 2010 11:00

DVD decoder

I recently had a virus on my computer, and after I got rid of it, I can no longer load or watch a dvd, it syas that I need a decoder.  I have a dell dimension xps400, 3gb ram, pentium d processor.  Is there any place where I can download one as no discs for it came with my computer.  Any help would be appreciated, I am a novice on this creature.   Thank You!  P.S. I had Sonic cineplayer and  roxio creator/ myDVD and they told me that because it is an OEM, they only can sell me a download....  Doesn't seem right to me after paying all I did for this baby, and my 3 year warranty just ended in June,  LOL!!!!  Go figure....

  • Masi_GC

    268 Posts

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    Posted July 30th, 2010 12:00

    Sueanddomenick,

    Due to laws related to media rights, any product that contains the necessary codecs must pay into a fund that is shared by producers of content. Its similar to a levy on every package of blank DVDs and CDs. Microsoft didn't want to pay this fee and therefore does not include them on their operationg systems or with Media Player.

    So most computer manufacturers, including Dell, bundles a product like Sonic cineplayer which contains the codecs.

    If you have the original CD's that came with your XPS 400, have a look and see if there are installation files for a DVD player application.

    You could, of course, just buy one. The non-OEM versions usually have more features.

    Masi_GC

  • 338

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    Posted July 30th, 2010 12:00

    thanks, exactly what do I buy?

  • Masi_GC

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    Posted July 30th, 2010 13:00

    There are lots of choices. I'm happy with the OEM version of PowerDVD (v7 or 8) which came on the last couple of systems I purchased.

    There is a freeware player called VLC which a lot of people use.

    Masi_GC

  • rdunnill

    8 Professor

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    8811 Posts

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    35254 Points

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    Posted July 30th, 2010 19:00

    Due to laws related to media rights, any product that contains the necessary codecs must pay into a fund that is shared by producers of content. Its similar to a levy on every package of blank DVDs and CDs. Microsoft didn't want to pay this fee and therefore does not include them on their operationg systems or with Media Player.

    They didn't with XP but they do with Windows 7.

  • morblore

    2 Intern

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    2447 Posts

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    Posted August 4th, 2010 00:00

    Go download Media Player Classic. It is a free open source media player that will play anything you throw at it. MPC will also add the codecs so you can use Windows Media Player or Media Center if you wish but MPC is a far better player then the stock ones.

     

    http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/ Enjoy:emotion-5:

  • Trey.Dayne

    1 Message

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    Posted December 21st, 2010 20:00

    Sueanddomenick,

    Due to laws related to media rights, any product that contains the necessary codecs must pay into a fund that is shared by producers of content. Its similar to a levy on every package of blank DVDs and CDs. Microsoft didn't want to pay this fee and therefore does not include them on their operationg systems or with Media Player.

    So most computer manufacturers, including Dell, bundles a product like Sonic cineplayer which contains the codecs.

    If you have the original CD's that came with your XPS 400, have a look and see if there are installation files for a DVD player application.

    You could, of course, just buy one. The non-OEM versions usually have more features.

    Masi_GC


    Thank you! Anybody can answer it? Could you give more details?