What is the relationship between Media Player and Decoders

[kwack]

I have experienced some issues playin back DVD using WINdvd which I have put elsewhere on this forum.

I have been looking at the Microsoft sit and hve come across the following article.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q306331

Can someone explain what is the link between Media Player and Decoders such as Windvd

In order to play DVD through Media Player do I have to have a decoder installed?

Cheers

Kwack

[mats.hogberg]

Yes, since WMP doesn't come with a mpeg2 decoder, it can't play DVD as is, but has to rely on 3rd party mpeg2 decoders to play DVD. WinDVD installs such decoder. I'm pretty sure you can get away with installing the trial version of WinDVD/PowerDVD and then immediately uninstall it, and still be able to play DVD in WMP (not that I understand why anyone would do that...) The for WMP necessary components will be left behind...

/Mats

[kwack]

So if you have a software decoder you don't really need to use WMP to play DVD then?

Kwack

[mats.hogberg]

Well, yes and no. A decoder (or codec) is pretty useless on its own - it needs something that uses it, and displays (or prcesses, like TMPGEnc) the output somehow. WMP, PowerDVD, WinDVD are some of the softwares that use the decoder and shows the output - the movie as a series of images. As my opinion of WMP is about the same as about Nero (tries to be the solution to everyting but succeeds in solving nothing), I'd recommend a real DVD player for DVD playing. There are many freeware players, once you have the decoder (codec) installed.

/Mats

[kwack]

So how can I check to see if I have the codec installed.

I have WMp 9 and WinDVD 4

Which I have experienced random BSOD when attempting to play DVD

I guess I am trying to establish the reasons behind these

Kwack