Good Free Windows Media Player DVD Decoders

[einbebop44]

My DVD Writer didn't come with any software :-( so I have to find a free DVD decoder for Windows Media player. All the ones on the MS webpage cost like $15+, and I don't really feel like paying for something I'll most likely use sparingly. Anyone know of any good free ones? I did a google search, but I'm afraid of sketchy sites and spyware and all that crap. :smt043

[Paulo]

Umm why not get something better like bs player or DVDXPLAYER... thats very good and region free player.

[Greatsaintlouis]

I've got something called FreeDVD - not sure if it's a DVD decoder per se, but I got it to decode a video file Yakumo made that he had encoded in a DVD format, so it might be worth a try. If I recall, it takes a bit of searching, but you should be able to find a download somewhere.

[Evangelion-01]

ummmm just download kazaa codec pack, has all the codecs you will ever need and also has mpeg2 codecs, then just download media player classic, and finnally, enjoy :D

[WolverineDK]

did somebody ring a bell ?

http://www.codecguide.com/

[Greatsaintlouis]

I wouldn't suggest the Kazaa codec pack, it always seemed a little dodgy to me.

Contrary to popular belief, downloading every codec you can find in hopes that one will work isn't the best solution, and can actually lead to playback problems with certain files because you have two or more codec attempting to do the same job.

Had some anime like that, the whole file was rendered out in this really jerky fashion; turned out the problem was that I had 2 seperate divx-compatable codecs both trying to use the video.

And the current Windows Media Player, if you already have it, works just fine, no need to hassle with downgrading to classic.

WolverineDK's guide will most likely be your best bet - I may have to take a look through it too.

[Evangelion-01]

kazaa codec pack is not like those other crappy ones "nemo codec pack, etc" this one is actually good and comes with codecs for rm and .mov so no need to download those damn players ;) beleave me dude encoding is my life, i think i know :-D

[Zilog Jones]

I'd recommend Media Player Classic - despite what the name suggests, it's got nothing to do with M$, it just looks like WMP 6.4. It can play EVERYTHING, even RealPlayer stuff (if you have RealPlayer installed as well), and plays VCDs, the screwiest of SVCDs (I made them, of course!) and DVDs no problem.

I wouldn't recommend the Kazaa Codec Pack - just like Kazaa itself it's old hat and is just full of old versions of codecs.

If you're looking for the latest codecs I'd recommend just getting them separately from a regularly updated site like doom9.org.

That MPEG2 codec is available at: http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=MPEG2_Codec

[WolverineDK]

Zilog Jones

i think you know didle about klite codec pack t is updated VERY often and has no spyware at all and no old codecs

and real alternative plus quicktime alternative is updated VERY often too

:drinkers: mate

but i recomend SLD codec pack too and ace mega codecpack

but klite codec pack is good for starters

if i remember right there is also a french cool codec pack (somewhere outthere)

[Evangelion-01]

indeed, kazaa codec pack has to do nothing with kazaa, is made by the kazaa lite people and i think is the best solution if you dont know what codecs you need and stuff, really easy to install and good, not like those other crapy codec packs, it includes 2 playes, bsplayer "always the newest version, because its updated everything a new codec or player comes out" and mpc, which i agree is the best player out there, and like you said, has nothing to do with m$.

[Zilog Jones]

Sorry, most the links I found to the K-Lite codec pack where like year-old versions. I finally found what appears to be the actual homepage - http://home.hccnet.nl/h.edskes/finalbuilds.htm#klcodec

I know it's not anything to do with Kazaa itself.

It looks pretty good, actually - I'm downloading the mega pack right now! Just don't install absolutely everything on them, especially if you don't know what they are - there's probably a few things you may never use on them and may just interfere with other codecs/programs.

[retro]

www.free-codecs.com

You will find K-Lite codec pack there (not Kazaa, officially noone has ever said K stood for Kazaa ;-) ).

The mega codec pack also has RealAlternative and QuicktimeAlternative, to stop the necessity of installing that bloatware, spy crap that they offer you. The Classic Media Player they offer is so you don't have to rely on some Micro$oft crap, that again is bloated, takes up too many system resources, and phones home.

Personally, I use WinAmp, with the K-Lite mega pack, and the WinAmp plugin you need for Real stuff. Sometimes there's a problem with Real streams, but not often :smt023