Havng problems with WMP, wont play DVDs after recent formatting of XP

Hey all….long time since ive logged on here but im in a slight pickle..Ive tried the forum (car) im whoring at the moment but not having much luck…

I formatted my system not too long ago and have just gone to chuck in a DVD to watch. Using WMP (I know, not the best for DVDs some people say, but I rarely watch DVDs on my computer so i dont mind) but it wouldnt get picture and the audio was all stuttery. The guys on the other forum said to install the Cole2K media pack. I just did that, getting clean audio, but no picture.

One of the users linked me to this http://www.divxmovies.com/software/ but im not sure which one i need to download. Im not completely computer-stupid, but when it comes to codecs, etc. im not quite sure which ones i need.

Any help is much apreciated!

Dan

do a google search for VLC media player. it's free and that fucker plays anything.

definatley…" VLC media player " its simple and will play anything NO PROBLEMS… just download it and its good to go right away

Alright cheers for the recomendation…

Before I install anything id rather get WMP working fully. I wanna keep the computer programs to a minimal.

so uninstall WMP ;)

Video Lan Cleint plays everything you can throw at it. it only failed me once, but that was a really weird arabian codec.

However if you must know, your problem is you dont have the right codec. VLC comes with a crap load in it already… so agein its your easyest route. it may not look to pretty, but it works.

from that download page - I'd pick this to d/l and install

DivX codec v6.2.5 (Windows XP/2000).

should enable you to play most of your files through WMP

Alright cheers for the recomendation…

Before I install anything id rather get WMP working fully. I wanna keep the computer programs to a minimal.

VLC uses a LOT less resources than WMP. no skins or visualisations or other garbage you donut need.

hmm less resources sounds apealing lol… ill give it a try.

awesome. got VLC working. I like it, nice and simple with no skins, etc. top stuff!!!

Getting back to the original post, loading new codecs would not solve a problem playing a DVD. The Divx codec you were considering will allow WMP to play AVI files encoded using DIVX compression software. Codecs are small pieces of software that WMP and other players use to recognize the many different movie formats and figure out how to play them. don't know what you original problem was but glad to here you got VLC to work

What kind of Video Card do you have?

Your old system could have been installed with the nVidia's PUREVIDEO software, which works as a plug in for WMP if you have an nVidia card. ATI has something similar built into PowerDVD.

When you wipe your system, neither gets reinstalled with the drivers. They are separate downloads.

Getting back to the original post, loading new codecs would not solve a problem playing a DVD. The Divx codec you were considering will allow WMP to play AVI files encoded using DIVX compression software. Codecs are small pieces of software that WMP and other players use to recognize the many different movie formats and figure out how to play them. don't know what you original problem was but glad to here you got VLC to work

You are wrong. The reason someone is unable to play a dvd in WMP is simple; you need to have a dvd decoder installed - powerdvd, windvd, etc. WMP does not have a built-in dvd decoder therefore no dvds will play.

There are two solutions - VLC or install a dvd software player (a decoder) and they will work in WMP.

Personally, I use windvd with "DVD Region + CSS Free" I I can watch any dvd no matter the region or enc.

For a fresh install of windows, it is best to install the following (not being listed in any certain order):
quicktime - http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html
divx community codec - http://www.divx.com/divx/windows/download/index.php
xvid (koepi's version) - http://www.koepi.org/xvid.shtml
a3d filter - http://ac3filter.sourceforge.net/
vobsub (for loading subtitles if a pack is available) - http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/subtitle_tools/vobsub.cfm

and if you are missing a codec and cannot figure out which one it is, use this tool and it will let you know which ones you need - http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

Yeah, this is not quite what was asked by the parent poster, but ehhh atleast now if someone searches for dvd, codecs, etc. they will find a nice starter guide.

back to coffee…

You are wrong. The reason someone is unable to play a dvd in WMP is simple; you need to have a dvd decoder installed - powerdvd, windvd, etc. WMP does not have a built-in dvd decoder therefore no dvds will play.

There are two solutions - VLC or install a dvd software player (a decoder) and they will work in WMP.

Personally, I use windvd with "DVD Region + CSS Free" I I can watch any dvd no matter the region or enc.

For a fresh install of windows, it is best to install the following (not being listed in any certain order):
quicktime - http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html
divx community codec - http://www.divx.com/divx/windows/download/index.php
xvid (koepi's version) - http://www.koepi.org/xvid.shtml
a3d filter - http://ac3filter.sourceforge.net/
vobsub (for loading subtitles if a pack is available) - http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/subtitle_tools/vobsub.cfm

and if you are missing a codec and cannot figure out which one it is, use this tool and it will let you know which ones you need - http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

Yeah, this is not quite what was asked by the parent poster, but ehhh atleast now if someone searches for dvd, codecs, etc. they will find a nice starter guide.

back to coffee…

in other words, just install VLC, as that fucker plays anything.