WinDVD vs PowerDVD vs Etc

[MovieStar]

I am looking for a VCD/DVD player application *like* WinDVD. Specifically, I am looking for a player application that shows the menus and lets me select which chapter I want to play. Microsoft Media Player will play VCD's but it does not show the chapter menus.

I have tried out WinDVD and I do like it but what other applications are there that display the chapter menus and let you select from them. I would like to hear people's opinions on the available choices.

Thanks

[DivXExpert]

I use PowerDVD.

[Bob W]

PowerDVD here which I use only for checking out DVD files prior to burning.

[FoolishBrett]

I use PowerDVD (3.0 I think) and I hate it. Sometimes it works perfectly then other times it gives fits. My big beef is that I always check my completed DVDR before I burn it.

When PowerDVD gives me strange results i.e. skips the menu, goes to movie, won't play etc. I'm left wondering if I should burn or not. Most the time I won't risk it, call me conservative, unless windows media player gives me some more information.

ANYONE: Is PowerDVD 4.0 any better?

[Xtasy2002]

I use both PowerDVD and WinDVD. Thankfully both were free as PowerDVD came with my DVD burner and WinDVD came with my video capture card. I think each one has it's own positives and negatives. I actually use PowerDVD more than WinDVD but I do still use WinDVD for some things.

[drewson99]

not trying to hijack, but...

is there a freeware dvd play s/w that can be used for the pre-rip unlocking of files. I don't even watch DVDs on my PC, but that need to unlock is a bitch.

one of my PCs has an AIW with MMC DVD player, but the other is out to dry.

Andy

[Quigonsean]

Drewson- I'd swear I saw a free one on the tools page, in fact my little brother d/l one and I think thats where he got it.

Sean

[margib]

I have been using NVDVD as of late. I like it much better than PowerDVD or WinDVD.

You can get a demo at http://nvidia.com

[Rond66]

I like PowerDVD 4 much better than WinDVD XP or ATI MMC DVD.
Sometimes WinDVD XP would lockup and with ATI MMC DVD it is too basic.

I got PowerDVD 4 at a computer show for $10 USD new.
I have been use it for months without any problems.
PowerDVD's FF/REV controls and file explore are the easiest to use.

[spidey]

I used to use PowerDVD, but as of late I think Ravissent (Sonic's) CinePlayer is great.

It easily lets you route and test all levels of menu'ing whether they be title sets or chapters, and I like the GUI much better than Power and Win.

However I think nowadays (with all their current releases) they're all pretty much capable of the same functionality, so it's just a preference of what and who and how like their layouts.

[SaSi]

I use PowerDVD, both for DVD watching on the PC (sometimes while downloading), as well as checking authored titles prior to burning.

I don't have any complaints for it and so far has not failed me in the quality control I do with it.

However, I have the feeling that the playback quality I see on the PC with it is not as good as the one I get on the TV. It's not a PC vs TV issue, as playing the mpeg-2 video streams with virtualdub gives me a visibly better playback compared to PowerDVD.