What is your choice for a DVD Player software??

[videobruce]

Notice I didn't say "what's the best...............".

I'm currently using WinDVD V7. I realize it is one of the more popular, if not the most popular DVD players out there,
BUT I has just come to my attention
everytime you start the program, it creates three cookies buried in that damn 'Documents & Settings' folder!

I don't know if they are sent anywhere, but the fact is I find that unacceptable. That brings me here to ask;
What DVD player software do you use and why and have you treid anything else?

BTW, this is SD DVD, NOT HD/BluRay.

[redwudz]

I use two, depending on what options I want. VLC Media Player because it will also play about any format, including DVDs. More often for DVDs I use Zoom Player Professional.

[videobruce]

I just looked at PowerDVD and the word 'power' is very appropriate.
HUGE download that gives you a bloated program. Three services (processes) running at startup. Must of been written by M$.

Those two are off the list. I will looking your choices.

[JimboS]

I have Power DVD and it works great...There are no "cookies"..just a DVD player...
Also , it has the codec's to use Win Media Player as a DVD player..
Why is Power DVD such a HUGE download????
PS..If you think it's M$, switch to
MAC....and then tell me about your problems
People always complain about MicroSoft operating systems, so just change to MAC!!!!
It's not M$........it works, and I see no need for people to complain...

[videobruce]

Why is Power DVD such a HUGE download????

Poorlyy written bloated program. Too many unnecessary bells and whistles.

it works, and I see no need for people to complain...

All programs work to one extent or another. Just 'working' isn't enough.

Less is better.

[ScorpioDragon]

To original poster:

You indicate Power DVD is such a huge download, but it seems WinDVD is approximately a 40% larger download. If "just working isn't enough," then move on and continue searching (or write your own program). If you are so concerned with WinDVD creating cookies, learn how to prevent these from tracking your sessions...it's quite simple. Since it seems you may be venting some frustrations, you should do so directly to the author...not here on this site.

Keep in mind your post asks "What is your choice for a software DVD player?," not "let's bash other people's opinions of a software DVD player." The people who have taken time to reply to your posts do so in good faith, and they do not want [nor have time] to engage in a bashing match with you.

If you've done any research and/or have taken time to search for your preferred software, then surely you would know about popular players such as VLC and Zoom Player (as redwudz recommended)...both are good choices. You may also want to take a look at Media Player Classic.

[ricoman]

A nice, free player is GOM and VLC. Both work good for me. VLC plays anything.

[guns1inger]

I use VLC for avi/mkv and even wmv files. I use Media Player Classic for mpeg files, as sometimes VLC has problems with some of them, and I use The KM Player for DVD playback because I was finding neither VLC or MPC were handling menus well enough.

I have found that the current and previous VLC is having problems with Xvid files - discolouration etc., which MPC does not suffer from.

[lacywest]

I just looked at PowerDVD and the word 'power' is very appropriate.
HUGE download that gives you a bloated program. Three services (processes) running at startup. Must of been written by M$.

Those two are off the list. I will looking your choices.

I've been using PowerDVD 5 since 2004 ... 11 meg download.

I have it WinRar archived on multiple drives so I dont lose it.

I like the Oscar Skin ...

[Des]

KMPlayer for DVDs, very happy with how it handles menus, etc. Zoom Player Standard for everything else.
On the rare occasions Zoom PLayer won't handle something I find that KMPlayer will.

--dES

[videobruce]

but it seems WinDVD is approximately a 40% larger download.

Win DVD V7 is 38MB, PowerDVD is either 50 or 90MB (depending on version) and TheaterDVD is 21MB.

Since it seems you may be venting some frustrations, you should do so directly to the author...not here on this site.

What's wrong with telling others so they will know this? Going to the "author" (if you can actually find 'him') rarely does anything.

The people who have taken time to reply to your posts do so in good faith, and they do not want [nor have time] to engage in a bashing match with you.

It seems you are the only one doing so as no one else is. Funny, YOU seem to have the time.

If you've done any research and/or have taken time to search for your preferred software

Which is exactly why I'm asking this here. Searching for media players won't tell which ones are more popular and why.

To the others, thanks for the replies..................

I've been using PowerDVD 5 since 2004 ... 11 meg download.

With each newer version the size increases, just like Bushs' military budget.