Decoder

[Philzee]

Just purchased a DVD Drive unit, put it in ok, went to play a dvd disc and what did i get, it requires a decoder.Running windows XP.
Question what is a decoder? think it must be so you can get pictures running on a monitor.
Why was i not informed of this when i puchased this item, so i could buy one,if i do what type do i need.
Have seen a few on E Bay,but not sure if all work with my DVD Player.
Thanks for any help.

[Ian Newson]

You will need a decoder to play the dvd films. These come in either software or hardware form. The Hardware one is a card which decodes the data off the disk and converts it into the picture , it can also be done by software which utilizes the CPU instead.

Hardware is here (http://www.sigmadesigns.com/products/hollywood_plus.htm)

Software : power DVD (http://www.cyberlink.com.tw) and Windvd (http://www.intervideo.com) .

Chances are that your drive is an OEM one and so would just have been a bare drive ie: no software.

[CyberdynSystems]

All you should need is the proper software. Hardware decoders are a thing of the past, (read PII-400) If you have even a relitively up to date CPU and graphics card you should not need a hardware decoder.

Did the DVD player come with any software?????
I've never heard of one that did not include a DVD playing software. That should solve your troubles. WinDVD etc.

Let us know if you don't have software.

[CyberdynSystems]

Hah, Ian I type slower!!!!

[Philzee]

This is an up to date system.Bought with an oem version i am affraid, so which is best the software version or hardware version to buy or download,or purchase software and where.Thanks again.

[Ian Newson]

There is a trial on each link I posted so you can see which one you like. Then see if you can pick up an oem version of the software at a computer fair or somewhere like that (£15 compared to probably £40 retail).

[Philzee]

Ok thanks for the help you guys, will try out these links
ks you sent ian. Cheers again