WMV capable multi-region DVD Player

[siluet]

Is there a DVD player capable to play the basic WMV files "as is", burned on CD-R ?(not WMV HD). I need only region-free model, Multi System: PAL/NTSC/SECAM.

[Midzuki]

I presume http://www.microsoft.com/ is able to give you a truthful answer.

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[siluet]

micro$oft does not manufacture DVD Players yet..

[jman98]

There aren't many of these players and they aren't cheap. Here is one such player
http://www.helios-labs.com/us/products/X5000/x5000_Tech_Specs.shtml
There are a few brands of players that don't really have DVD drives but are meant to be used as a streaming media device that plays media that streams to it wirelessly. Some of these support WMV.

[siluet]

No, streaming media device that plays media that streams to it wirelessly is not what I need. No Ethernet & WiFi connectivity required.
What about this model: Pioneer DV600AV DVD Player?

[Midzuki]

siluet wrote:

micro$oft does not manufacture DVD Players yet..

but one cannot produce and sell WMV-capable devices without having had
some "business talk" with µ$'s lawyers, I suppose.

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[siluet]

there is nothing m$ related, again. Any DVD manufacturer can produce and sell WMV DVD players that can play wmv format.

[Midzuki]

So my supposition was wrong? Less bad. Thank you.

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{EDIT}

Notwithstanding, could someone please explain to me the exact meaning of the web page

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/licensing/Licensing_Consumer_Devices_WMComp.aspx

?

[Midzuki]

And as the OP did not give an answer to my question...

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[JohnnyMalaria]

It's similar to the DVD licensing model.

Basically, if you make WMA and WMV media (e.g., DVD with WMV on them), you have to pay the amounts listed per disc (or whatever the medium is).

i.e., it's what the content producer has to pay, not the end user.

[Midzuki]

Apparently, siluet meant that one could start
manufacturing and selling WM-capable hardware players
without giving a cent to µicro$oft in return. I still think he was wrong.

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[JohnnyMalaria]

The truth is half way between the two. You have to pay Microsoft (and why not?) but you don't have to get MS's lawyers involved. The link you provided shows that it is a simple and quick process to get a license. And it's dirt cheap. The same rates apply to media as well as hardware.

[gll99]

Did you see this thread? Check out the PCWorld article in the first post

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic336574.html

The Players are supposed to be out next month:

http://www.nmeinc.com/ML622S.htm

http://www.nmeinc.com/ML777S.htm

If you disregard the fact that they play a new format HD VMD you see that they also play standard DVD, Mpeg-4, H.264 and WMV9 and more.

Even if you never use the new HD format it may well be worth it just for the other formats that it supports.

[jman98]

Be sure that such players really and truly play WMV burned to DVD or CD discs before buying or be sure you can quickly take one back if it doesn't. Until these players come out and get tested, we don't know how fussy the firmware is about what it will play back.