DVD decoder HELP!

[tac7]

I just bought my first computer DVD writer. After installing Nero 6, which came bundled with the DVD writer, I am not able to play any DVDs because a Region has to be selected. However, I have no Region tab in the device manager.
I am told by the Help line guy that I need a DVD decoder software to play DVDs. Apparently that comes with WinXP, but not Win98se, which I am using. Does anyone know what kind of DVD decoder software one has to get (and where) that works with Win98?
I appologize for what must be a totally stupid question, but I am new to this, and totally frustrated. Thanks for any help, tac7

[mats.hogberg]

No Windows version comes with DVD (or mpeg2) codec.
Try VLC or PowerDVD

/Mats

[tac7]

I downloaded VLC, and it worked ok after adding the unicows.dll and unicows.pdb files to the windows/system32 directory. Still don't have a region tab in the Device Manager, but I guess that's an unfixable Win98 problem. Thanks a million for your help!! - tac7

[DarrellS]

There is an option in W2000 to change regions but I don't see one in 98SE. From what I understand though, you shouldn't have to change the region code unless you move to another region. The player is supposed to be set to the correct region before it is sold. You can only change it four times before your player is no good. If it is not set to a region then the pleyer is supposed to automatically set it to your region when you put in a DVD. If you put in a DVD from another region then you might be out of luck.
Maybe someone with 98SE that has faced this problem before can chime in and help but most people here are using XP or 2000.

Might try Googling

[tac7]

Well, by a strange coincidence the region problem got resolved after I installed DVD Shrink.
It informed me that my region was not selected, and if I wanted to set it. After clicking ok, it confirmed region 1 (which can be changed any time later again), and ever since then, I'm able to play DVDs without a DVD decoder, and without DVD Shrink running, although the quality is not as good as when using VLC. - tac7

[CrustyCurmudgeon]

There is a limit on how many times the region code can be changed. This is a parameter set in the DVD drive's memory. Usually it's five times. There may be hacks to the firmware that can change this.