DVD Hardware Decode not detected in Windows XP-Only Software

[BuddTX]

Hi.

I did a search first, (actually several) to see if anyone covered this topic, but I did not see any topics that dealt with this.

Respectfully, if this topic has been covered, and I missed it, I apoligise, I am an active member of other boards, and know how "trying" it is, when a new person askes a question without doing any prior searching. A friendly point in the right direction or previous thread might be all I need, so, please, if this subject has been covered to death, I honestly did not see it in my searches.

Also, I have e-mailed the manufacturer twice, and there has been no response.

I purchased a graphics card that is supposed to have DVD HARDWARE decoding or playback.
http://207.106.176.73/product.asp?pid=69&catID=5

In fact, here is a quote from the web page:

"Arcade FX delivers leading edge technology to the mainstream with integrated VGA, 2D, 3D, and video in a cost-effective single-chip solution. Arcade FX provides stunning visuals for a whole range of applications from crystal clear, high-resolution 2D/3D graphics to 3D games, to advanced video applications such as Hardware DVD playback."

However, the only way to play a DVD is to install a software driver.

I have tried to contact the vendor, but with (so far) no luck.

I have tried scanning for new hardware multiple times, but still no luck, and I have the latest NVidia drivers as well as XP SP1 and all other updates installed.

Any suggestions?

The software DVD decoder is fine (I cannot detect any freezing or anything), but it bugs me that the card is supposed to do HARDWARE DVD Playback.

Now I realise that dvd players are cheap, but I built this PC for a retired friend, who, while she is not out on the street begging for food, does not have a DVD player in her budget anytime soon. She was actually still using a 300 MHz PC that she bought several years ago, and paid, like 2000 bucks for it, new, and would still be using it today, had I not built her a 933 MHz Pentium 3 machine using some surplus parts, (like the Pentium chip), as well as new parts.

She was thrilled to death that she was now part of the DVD world, and does not have to tell people she does not have a dvd player!

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, comments, or advice you might give!

GeForce 2 MX 400 64MB AGP Graphic Card (Seperate, not built into the MB) ZERO inputs, 1 Output, VGA
Windows XP Pro SP1 + all updates
Windows Media Player 9.x
320 MEG Ram
Soyo Motherboard
Lite-On DVD /CD reader, 512 K cache
ATA100 CAble on DVD player, and Hard Drive
20 Gig WD ATA100 Drive

[redwudz]

I think their advertising is deceptive in that their 'hardware DVD playback' is more like hardware assisted processing that quite a few boards have.

[BuddTX]

I think their advertising is deceptive in that their 'hardware DVD playback' is more like hardware assisted processing that quite a few boards have.

Thanks! I really did think I was buying a graphics card with hardware decode buit in.

Now, my Graphics card came with a software decoder, as did my Lite-ON CD player. Is there a recommended freware decoder, or is one as good as another?

Now, in reading here, it seems that ZOOM PLAYER, from inmatrix.com is considered a very good player. Does this come with a decoder, or do I still need a decoder.

EDIT

NOW, I just found a very nice FAQ here: http://faq.inmatrix.com/

Posted it for others to read, but still, any comments are welcome!