What software or codecs required to play DVD video on PC?

[siluet]

What software or codecs required to play DVD video on my PC?

Windows 98SE, PIII 866Mhz, 128MB RAM, 20GB HDD, no DVD drive, CD only.

Or my system is too weak for DVD and it's probably better just to get a standalone DVD player for $30 or so?

[edDV]

PIII 866MHz is fast enough. 128MB RAM needs to go higher if you can.

You need a Mpeg2 decoder. Cheaper just to buy a DVD-ROM drive on sale that says it supports Win98se. It should include the decoder and a player. Once the decoder is installed, WMP will also work as a DVD player.

Otherwize get WinDVD or PowerDVD or similar. Full versions include the decoder.

If you scratch around, you may find a decoder but why not get a DVD-ROM drive as well? It won't cost much. Maybe $20 if you shop.

[siluet]

Memory can be upgraded to 512MB.
You meant microsofts Windows Media Player or Media Player Classic (GPL freeware)? However, most new DVD players (drives) come with software to view DVDs, so it looks preferable. Not sure how much space(and system resources) requires this software, my hdd is small.

[edDV]

Memory can be upgraded to 512MB.
You meant microsofts Windows Media Player or Media Player Classic (GPL freeware)? However, most new DVD players (drives) come with software to view DVDs, so it looks preferable. Not sure how much space(and system resources) requires this software, my hdd is small.

Full Cyberlink PowerDVD 6 is less than 2MB. The decoder will be small. 256MB RAM will work but 512MB is better.

Microsoft Windows Media Player (all recent versions since Win98se vintage) will use a third party MPeg2 decoder to play a DVD.

MPeg2 decoders require a license fee, that is why one isn't packaged with Windows. Most new computers or third party DVD drives include a licenced decoder. Avoid "bare" drives if you need the software.

[BruceSD]

VLC will play DVDs, and the K-Lite Codec Pack also contains an MPEG-2 decoder, and both are completely free. It won't give you quite the robust experience that PowerDVD or WinDVD will, but are fine for just playing a movie.

Even Win98SE and a PIII will be really bogged down with 128MB of memory just doing general tasks like word processing or web browsing etc. Video playback may suffer from studdering or jitter or lag in general. You can probably upgrade that to 512MB for about $50 or so, look on newegg etc. It will breathe a bit of new life into that PC.

[daamon]

...and the K-Lite Codec Pack also contains an MPEG-2 decoder, and both are completely free.

The seemingly common experience with visitors (experienced and otherwise) to this forum is to avoid codec packs like the plague!!! The general advice is to only install what you need, thus avoiding troublesome conflicts and annoying behaviour of players.

Media Player Classic has an MPEG decoder built in to it for playback only. Whether it'll play discs or not - I've never tried, but it'll certainly play MPEG2 files but I don't know about VOBs. It's free - try it out.

[Skith]

MPC will play VOBs, although I have experienced some glitches with menus.

[siluet]

VLC will play DVDs, and the K-Lite Codec Pack also contains an MPEG-2 decoder, and both are completely free. It won't give you quite the robust experience that PowerDVD or WinDVD will, but are fine for just playing a movie.

Anyway, I need buy DVD-ROM drive, so it will come with either PowerDVD or WinDVD, which bring along the needed codecs for standard DVDs. I need DVD-ROM drive model that supports Win98se. Is there some preferences between PowerDVD or WinDVD? (meaning work on win98se)
Is the DVD-ROM drives combined(CD/DVD)? Besides to play DVD, I need burn CD and burn data in DVD.

[Dv8ted2]

Just search around and find the drive that you want that is in your price range. The box will usually state whether it works in windows 98. If it will work in windows xp, it will usually work in 98.

I prefer powerdvd.

[siluet]

Just search around and find the drive that you want that is in your price range. The box will usually state whether it works in windows 98. If it will work in windows xp, it will usually work in 98. I prefer powerdvd.

I just amplified about DVD-ROM drive: OEM product comes WITHOUT any software, neither PowerDVD nor WinDVDs. This comes with retail box only. But no sense purchase retail box, sinse OEM is cheaper.

[Bjs]

For all os , except xp :

Player's ... ifoedit or koolplaya

You need freedvdcodec ... or checkout dvd decoder's in codec section
Ac3_filters package ... ac3 decoder's .
And sub filter ... check codec secton out .

Do not try ifoedit for dvd playback under xp ... it will lockup soon .

It is safe for all other os's .

Koolplaya for xp , or commercial dvd playback product .

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I use ifoedit to playback dvd's after pgcedit navigational edit's ... ifoedit warn's if problem ... when no error's ... burn and enjoy .

[siluet]

I will stick to PowerDVD. Just need pick appropriate version, some from earlier, ver 7.0 not support 98.

[edDV]

Just search around and find the drive that you want that is in your price range. The box will usually state whether it works in windows 98. If it will work in windows xp, it will usually work in 98. I prefer powerdvd.

I just amplified about DVD-ROM drive: OEM product comes WITHOUT any software, neither PowerDVD nor WinDVDs. This comes with retail box only. But no sense purchase retail box, sinse OEM is cheaper.

OEM probably does NOT include the decoder or the playback software. You will probably need to spend over $100 to buy this software separately. Better to buy a retail version with all update software or be sure what is included.

We have been talking about DVD-ROM playback so far, not DVD recording. Your machine is not good for recording DVD, just playing.

[Bjs]

edDV ... nonsence ... it is quite capable .

If the hard drive is new , it won't have a problem beside's needing to set the burn speed right down .

My old P3 800 was able to burn dvd's ... just that it had to be set to 2x burn speed .

The only real issue's is the newer dvd burner's may not have the ability to burn below 4x ... that's why such thing's as buffer under run protection where developed ... less screwup's ... the second is any software that come's with the unit may only be for xp ... in which case you would be looking for replacement software for compatability with the current os ... a slight messy issue .

Of course that's what some of the best freeware is for ... use it , or loose it they say ...

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Dv8ted2 ... more nonsence .

"The box will usually state whether it works in windows 98. If it will work in windows xp, it will usually work in 98"

If it state's "win98" , then the possibility it work's under winxp is not guaranteed ... it will either work or not ... xp dosent give a care .

If it state's "winxp" , then no ... it will not work under win98 os .... esspecially when talking about product's released within the last two year's ... if product state's suitable for win98 , and xp , then fine .

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You need to check the version's suitability for win98 ... as I said ... recent product's may not have support for the os .

Both power dvd and nero , with showtime can be purchased in ebay quite cheaply .

I could have bought 100 powerdvd disc's for $65.00au last month .

If in doubt , use the freeware first ... commercial product's second ... you'll get more enjoyment out of you current pc this way .

[edDV]

edDV ... nonsence ... it is quite capable .

If the hard drive is new , it won't have a problem beside's needing to set the burn speed right down .

My old P3 800 was able to burn dvd's ... just that it had to be set to 2x burn speed .

The only real issue's is the newer dvd burner's may not have the ability to burn below 4x ... that's why such thing's as buffer under run protection where developed ... less screwup's ... the second is any software that come's with the unit may only be for xp ... in which case you would be looking for replacement software for compatability with the current os ... a slight messy issue .

Of course that's what some of the best freeware is for ... use it , or loose it they say ...

You amplified my point very well. I didn't say it was impossible, I said

"We have been talking about DVD-ROM playback so far, not DVD recording. Your machine is not good for recording DVD, just playing."

Siluet had been talking about DVD playback. DVD authoring-writing is much more difficult on that vintage machine. Writing could be done with skilled management. Encoding and authoring would be a huge pain. We have all been there and learned all the "issues".

Consider it a warning Siluet. It may be possible but it will seem like a second job.

[Dv8ted2]

Dv8ted2 ... more nonsence .

"The box will usually state whether it works in windows 98. If it will work in windows xp, it will usually work in 98"

If it state's "win98" , then the possibility it work's under winxp is not guaranteed ... it will either work or not ... xp dosent give a care .

If it state's "winxp" , then no ... it will not work under win98 os .... esspecially when talking about product's released within the last two year's ... if product state's suitable for win98 , and xp , then fine .

You need to read my whole post rather than spout off.

I said read the box. It will state whether it works for 98. I also qualified my statement by saying usually. It will usually work.

I did not say it works all the time.