Program similar to PowerDVD?

[SEALs1230]

Hi,
I was wondering if there were any programs like PowerDVD that can play DVD's in your computer. My girlfriend recently had her computer reformatted but hasnt recieved the disks back from the guy who did it yet. And he never put her DVD viewing software on the computer. I was wondering if there were any programs like PowerDVD but is free so she can watch DVD's on her computer in the meantime. I tried a search but I'm not really sure what I should be looking for. Mainly, if it says it plays MPEG2(DVD) does that mean it plays DVDs or just the DVD file that is on the hard drive of the ocmputer.
Thanks

[redwudz]

VLC Media Player is one. There are more under 'Tools' to the left.

[Cunhambebe]

https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=WinDVD

[Bjs]

Seems impossible to find an actual download to this one ...

FusionSoft dvd player :

http://download.eportal.pl/?p=2304

Grab that (3.4mbs) .

Its the one I prefer to use when nero showtime stuffs up .

I use it too test my dvd creations prior to burning them .
Check button functions , ect ...

I did see version 5 is available , a little search might locate a working download , and from what I can recall , it is still free , you might need the free dvd codec in order fro it to play back dvd's ...

Working link for version 5 :

http://www.gratis.com.br/index.mv?pagina=download&pos=228

And before anyone ask's about that first site , I do think its one of those that you shouldnt mention , due to the legality of its contents , I have only mentioned it as a link for a working download to what is or was freeware .

If its nolonger freeware , just let me know

Of course windows media player can also play dvds from hard drive or dvd disc as well , but is not regarded as being 1 out of the possible top 5 sollutions .

[snitzle_iii]

i was going to say vlc too

[edDV]

Most computers with DVD-ROM drives or aftermarket DVD-ROM or DVD writers come with some form of DVD viewer software.

Free versions don't really exist*. Somebody has to pay the MPeg2 decoder royalty. This is usually bundled into the cost of the computer or DVD drive.

*OK, reverse engineered MPeg2 decoders exist but they are mostly crap. Other so called DVD viewers assume you have a Mpeg2 decoder already installed. They just use that.