no auddio from DVD

[tikicarver]

I installed a new Liteon DVD burner. When I tried to play a DVD using Windows Media Player or Nero Show Time, the DVD would play but I would not get any audio.
I installed Power DVD and now the DVDs play with audio.

Just wondering why I would not get audio from the DVDs with Windows Media Player and Nero?

[thecoalman]

Probably becaue you had no AC3 codec installed.

[tikicarver]

is there a simple way to check what codecs are installed?
don't they come witht he main program?

[sanjayk]

Yes, programs like GSpot & AVICodec will tell you what audio & video codecs are installed on your system

[MOVIEGEEK]

Windows doesn't come with an MPEG-2 or AC3 codec.Nero Showtime installs the MPEG-2 codec but no AC3. PowerDVD and WinDVD install both but no DTS codec...you need to buy it from their website.
Once you have the codecs installed any program can access them as long as they use DirectShow.

[mikiem]

*Think* Nero does install an ac3 codec, but only stereo -- many of the other players are the same unless you buy the 5.1 plugin or upgrade versions.

[tikicarver]

you are right, after installing Power DVD, the other ones now play with audio.

so that brings up the question..
is one media player really any better than another?

[thecoalman]

so that brings up the question..
is one media player really any better than another?

From a srictly video quality point of view my vote goes with PowerDVD. Nothing works as well that I have seen for playback on computer monitor for interlaced footage.