WinDVD free vs. the ones that cost

[mrhata]

I have WinDVD the free basic one that came with my Optorite. I noticed there are updates or recent versions that cost more. Is there a big difference in playing quality ? I mean I wondered about how the movies look a little blurred on the PC but sharp and crisp on TV.

[BJ_M]

no diff

[andkiich]

I've never noticed a difference either.

[mrhata]

Hmmm.
So why are they supposedly good enough that you want to upgrade and pay extra?
I thought I read somewhere that so and so product upgrade would get rid of that "squinting" to see it sharper problem.
I forgot what company but it was in a ComputorEdge article.

Thanks for the input.

[Prospero424]

Well, the new versions include some refined methods of progressive scan, which could help, especially on large displays. But the only big think that I can think of is support for 24 bit/96Khz audio quality, mostly in response to the Audigy 2 line of cards but there are others out there as well.

Of course, if you are using the digital audio output going to a suround sound system, this makes no difference whatsoever. So keep that in mind.

Otherwise, the changes are only refinements of pre-existing features.

[BJ_M]

the ones you pay for also ussually also include things like dts decoding, cinema mode and as mentioned , 5:1 ac3 (and i guess some other features)...

the basic mpeg2 codec is the same though ..

[mrhata]

Going to the next question the; are all 5.1 sound cards DTS compatible? Or is it the software the enables the DTS on a 5.1 card?

[whomacuddy]

The software decodes the DTS so that it can be played through a 5.1 soundcard , or allows it to be transmitted digitally if your soundcard has a SPDIF output which can be connected to an external decoder , (this seems to be more of a problem for sound cards than using software decoders )

[mrhata]

No problem at all. I was just thinking if I should upgrade player software or just leave my program as is. Thanks for all the tips.