DVD player for windows?

[ManveruAltharen]

I'm using windows XP SP3 and I have a lot of trouble getting DVDs to play. The drive reads them fine but they come out extremely skippy (I don't have any problems with CDs so I doubt it's a drive issue)

I have WMP but that can't play DVDs without paying for an upgrade (which is ridiculous) and VLC doesn't play them right either. Is there any DVD player software I can get legally, for free? Or do i just need to tweak which video mode VLC is set to?

 

[RollForInitiative]

I've seen that issue too. In my case, it was always towards the end of any given DVD. I believe I've had the best luck with, surprisingly enough, Windows Media Player.

I'm not sure why you think you have to pay for an upgrade to it. I know I certainly didn't.

To answer your final question, I believe that Cyberlink DVD player might be free. At least, it seems to be bundled up with a lot of materials I purchase.

 

[ManveruAltharen]

Well whenever I try to play a DVD in WMP, it tells me I need a decoder, and all the decoders it links to are at least $15.

 

[tomtom94]

Sounds like an issue with the drive or other hardware to me, how old's the PC?

It could read them fine but not play them, it is possible.

 

[ManveruAltharen]

New computer, built it 2 years ago.

4GB RAM

Nvidia 8600 GT video card

Is there a specific setting VLC should be in to play DVDs?

 

[Hateren47]

Plays fine with Media Player Classic in the K-Lite Codec Pack. I'm sure the full version plays everything you throw at it.

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/k_lite_codec_pack.htm

 

[Quaxar]

Interesting. I sometimes have short skips in DVDs always shortly after restarting a paused film.
But I got used to it, as long as it doesn't ruin my DVDs I'm fine.

 

[ManveruAltharen]

Ignore that, I checked the K-Lite Codec FAQ and it said to make sure I choose the MPEG-2 option and reinstalled it. Works fine now!

 

[Laughing Man]

VLC has no buffer so the film is played directly from the DVD, if the DVD reader ha issue reading a segment of data then you get a skip/ Windows Media Player on the other hand buffers the data so it is more able to cope with corruption from a dodgy disc.

CDs and DVDs use different laser heads to read the discs, so the laser for your CD may be fine while the laser that reads your DVD may be on the way out.

The fact that the disc is skipping suggests that your drive is either on its way out or it could just need the laser cleaned.

Your options are

1). Clean the laser and continue using VLC
2). Replace the drive and continue using VLC
3). Down load the k lite codec pack linked above and start using WMP and forget about 1 and 2 just be aware that if the drives dirty or dying it will only get worse the longer you put it off.