What is the best free DVD player software for Windows?

[digicube]

I only know of VLC. Are there others?

[usually_quiet]

In addition to VLC, I have used Windows 7's Media Player, PotPlayer, and MPC-HC to play DVDs. PotPlayer and MPC-HC includes playback settings that Windows 7's Media Player doesn't provide.

If someone is interested in viewing NTSC DVD closed captions, Windows 7's Media Player and VLC correctly display them. MPC-HC doesn't display NTSC DVD closed captions. PotPlayer displays NTSC DVD closed captions but doesn't display them correctly.

[svcdmaker]

VLC has the most compatibility. For the best quality use MPC. There are two variants mpc-hc and mpc-be. Each have their pros and cons. There are a lot of comments on this site to help you choose. The more tweaks you add the more horsepower is required to drive it.

[Krispy Kritter]

"Best" is subjective. There are numerous options, for example: https://www.videohelp.com/software/sections/video-players

After testing several, I've been using MPC-HC for several years now.

[videobruger]

VLC has the most compatibility.

Just note that its default is to "Start directly in menu" ie skip First Play domain. You might want to untick that.

[usually_quiet]

@mocikun Your suggested software is not free and is normally only suggested by spammers working for that company.

[Bernix]

Hi,

PotPlayer displays NTSC DVD closed captions but doesn't display them correctly.

may i just for curiosity ask, what is wrong with closed caption displayed in potplayer? I have no problem, but the truth is I have never play NTSC DVD in it.
Thank you
Bernix

[usually_quiet]

Hi,

PotPlayer displays NTSC DVD closed captions but doesn't display them correctly.

may i just for curiosity ask, what is wrong with closed caption displayed in potplayer? I have no problem, but the truth is I have never play NTSC DVD in it.
Thank you
Bernix

First, by closed captions, I mean NTSC DVD's version of broadcast closed captions. Subtitles are a different matter. Subtitles are handled properly.

Potplayer's version of closed captioning can only display one line at a time. It doesn't handle multi-line closed captions or roll-up closed caption correctly. It displays each line, but they are displayed so rapidly that they cannot be read, and sometimes words are incomplete or missing entirely.

[sheppaul]

Hi,

PotPlayer displays NTSC DVD closed captions but doesn't display them correctly.

may i just for curiosity ask, what is wrong with closed caption displayed in potplayer? I have no problem, but the truth is I have never play NTSC DVD in it.
Thank you
Bernix

First, by closed captions, I mean NTSC DVD's version of broadcast closed captions. Subtitles are a different matter. Subtitles are handled properly.

Potplayer's version of closed captioning can only display one line at a time. It doesn't handle multi-line closed captions or roll-up closed caption correctly. It displays each line, but they are displayed so rapidly that they cannot be read, and sometimes words are incomplete or missing entirely.

Can you make a sample for that? I'll report it with the sample if you don't mind.

[Bernix]

This is DVB subtitles (picture)

[Attachment 43818 - Click to enlarge]
But I found problem switch to another stream subtitles. That is really problem.
So only 1 subtitle stream is displayed. I will check settings....
So only first DVB subtitles are displayed, whatever videostream of multiplex I choose. So this subtitles are from different TV program. And nothing will change it. BTW file is TS with cca 6 TV programs and at least 3 have its own subtitles.
EDIT: The problem is only related to TS file, when remuxing to mkv without any changes, subtitles are selectable from same icon as video audio stream.
Bernix

[flashandpan007]

@mocikun Your suggested software is not free and is normally only suggested by spammers working for that company.

I'm too late what software was suggested?

[usually_quiet]

@mocikun Your suggested software is not free and is normally only suggested by spammers working for that company.

I'm too late what software was suggested?

The guy who posted it was spamming. What purpose would it serve for me to tell you other than to repeat the spam?

[usually_quiet]

This is DVB subtitles (picture)

[Attachment 43818 - Click to enlarge]
But I found problem switch to another stream subtitles. That is really problem.
So only 1 subtitle stream is displayed. I will check settings....
So only first DVB subtitles are displayed, whatever videostream of multiplex I choose. So this subtitles are from different TV program. And nothing will change it. BTW file is TS with cca 6 TV programs and at least 3 have its own subtitles.
EDIT: The problem is only related to TS file, when remuxing to mkv without any changes, subtitles are selectable from same icon as video audio stream.
Bernix

The testing that you are doing is not applicable because we don't use Teletext or DVB subtitles for broadcast TV in N. America. We use other systems, Line 21/EIA 608/CEA-608 or EIA 708. NTSC DVD uses something very much like the ATSC version of EIA 608 captions.

Since this closed caption discussion is beginning to take the thread off topic, I'm not continuing with it.

[flashandpan007]

Was just interested if it was also available here. But forget about it.