Windows 7 HP 64 bit won't play dvds in WMC

[lou62]

I am having problems with Windows Media Center being recognized in my computer...I am having to use an external disc player to play dvd's. Cd's play fine, I am able to use my built in disc drive (in the tower/box), but I have no idea as to why it has stopped recognizing dvd's and not allowing Windows Media Center to play them, it used to.
I can use Windows Media Player for ripping an burning music, etc. but not WMC! Can anyone knowledgeable help?

I am not all that advanced in tech. matters..so be gentle. lol

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi lou62,

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit offers full 'DVD playback capability' and 'Windows Media Center' should be able to read it; please share if you face any 'error messages'.

You may want to refer to the following 'Microsoft Article' for more information: Playing DVDs in Windows Media Center: frequently asked questions

You may also try the following steps:
- Install 'Windows Updates'
- Update the 'Video Drivers'
- Install 'Codecs' to see if that helps: Free-Codecs.com : Download K-Lite Codec Pack 9.6.5 FULL, K-Lite Codec Pack 9.6.5 STANDARD, K-Lite Codec Pack 9.6.5 BASIC

Do reply with the results; would be glad to assist.

 

[fakeasdf]

Can you plays DVDs from that drive in media player and/or vlc?

 

[lou62]

WMC problems with reading dvds

Well, here's the short of it, I have updates done constantly, so that isn't the issue....I have been told before it may have something to do with 'Codecs', but that is something I am not familiar with. So my question is this: How do you know if you are missing codecs and what do you do to tell if and what you need?

In regards to the other respondents question to me....Windows Media Player doesn't even recognize the drive that I put the dvd in to play; and the error message that I get in Windows Media Center is simply "Windows Media Center cannot detect a video dvd in the dvd-rom drive. Insert a video dvd in the drive."
I can't remember when this issue started up, like I mentioned in my original post, it used to work just fine. I have no idea what caused it to stop working.

I will try the suggestions in the post from 'Saurabh A'

 

[fakeasdf]

In this case a codec is used to decode the digital media found on your dvd and supply a video stream to your tv/monitor (super simplified).

Can you watch your dvd from VLC?
(VideoLAN - Official page for VLC media player, the Open Source video framework!)

If you can't watch it from VLC, it's possible your DVD player is having issues and dying.

 

[lou62]

problems with wmc dvd's won't play

I don't use vlc

 

[fakeasdf]

I'm not telling you to use VLC instead of Media Center. I'm telling you to try and watch the DVD in VLC as a troubleshooting step.

If it won't play in VLC, then it isn't an issue with Media Center.
If it does play in VLC, then there is an issue with the MPEG-2 decoder (DVD is MPEG-2).

 

[jumanji]

With an external disc player you can play DVds - your first post.

With your internal optical drive you are not able to play the same DVDs.

In that case, your internal optical drive is faulty.

Either the DVD laser has failed/become weak or the lense occluded.

Try a CD Lense cleaner and clean it.

If it does not help, replace the drive.

 

[kellymac35]

Try deleting upper and lower filters: Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs. Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs

 

[lou62]

need clarification please

How do I know if I should download the 'codecs?'
Thanks

Hi lou62,

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit offers full 'DVD playback capability' and 'Windows Media Center' should be able to read it; please share if you face any 'error messages'.

You may want to refer to the following 'Microsoft Article' for more information: Playing DVDs in Windows Media Center: frequently asked questions

You may also try the following steps:
- Install 'Windows Updates'
- Update the 'Video Drivers'
- Install 'Codecs' to see if that helps: Free-Codecs.com : Download K-Lite Codec Pack 9.6.5 FULL, K-Lite Codec Pack 9.6.5 STANDARD, K-Lite Codec Pack 9.6.5 BASIC

Do reply with the results; would be glad to assist.

 

[lou62]

dvds issues in wmc

Yes, I can play dvd's just fine in WMC with an external drive; what puzzles me is why I can rip/burn/play cd's in the same drive (in my tower) as where the dvd's used to play in.

How do you trouble shoot the 'internal optical drive'? And clean the lens?

Thanks!@
E

With an external disc player you can play DVds - your first post.

With your internal optical drive you are not able to play the same DVDs.

In that case, your internal optical drive is faulty.

Either the DVD laser has failed/become weak or the lense occluded.

Try a CD Lense cleaner and clean it.

If it does not help, replace the drive.

 

[lou62]

dvds issues in wmc

I don't have a clue how to 'deleting an upper or lower filter' would you mind explaining?
Thanks!
E

Try deleting upper and lower filters: Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs. Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs

 

[lou62]

dvd's won't play in wmc

that sounds like a big hassle, why would it matter if I use VLC (whatever that is) to play a video? I am able to play dvd's in WMC with an external drive; I can rip/burn/play cd's in WMC and WMP just fine in the same drive that used to play my dvd's. Any other intelligent suggestions?
Thanks
E

I'm not telling you to use VLC instead of Media Center. I'm telling you to try and watch the DVD in VLC as a troubleshooting step.

If it won't play in VLC, then it isn't an issue with Media Center.
If it does play in VLC, then there is an issue with the MPEG-2 decoder (DVD is MPEG-2).

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi lou62,

Would like to know if you get an error message when you try playing the DVD with 'Windows Media Center'; if no error appears, what exactly happens? Does that trigger any kind of activity in the system (or the DVD drive)?

Also share the name/details of the optical drive (internal) installed in the system; may need to re-install its drivers or install a firmware, if available. You may find the following steps useful:

Click 'Start icon' > Type 'devmgmt.msc' (without quotations) in 'Search Programs and Files' text-box > Click the 'Search Result' (Device Manager page opens up) > Locate and Expand 'DVD/CD-ROM drives > Capture the 'details' of the 'item listed' > Also 'Right Click' the 'item' and select 'Properties' > Click 'Details' in the 'Properties Window' > Select 'Hardware Ids from the 'drop-down menu' > Capture the details and share

Do reply with the findings; would be glad to assist.

 

[fakeasdf]

that sounds like a big hassle, why would it matter if I use VLC (whatever that is) to play a video? I am able to play dvd's in WMC with an external drive; I can rip/burn/play cd's in WMC and WMP just fine in the same drive that used to play my dvd's. Any other intelligent suggestions?
Thanks
E

I'm not telling you to use VLC instead of Media Center. I'm telling you to try and watch the DVD in VLC as a troubleshooting step.

If it won't play in VLC, then it isn't an issue with Media Center.
If it does play in VLC, then there is an issue with the MPEG-2 decoder (DVD is MPEG-2).

It's not a codec issue if you can play DVDs from your other drive. If you don't want to go through a simple troubleshooting step of trying it out in VLC then it sounds like you aren't willing to fix your problem.

Furthermore, it doesn't matter if your internal drive can read/write/rip from a cd. They usually have a dual diode laser, meaning one for your dvd and one for your cd. Or if its an even older player, it could even have two lasers.

You would save everyone on here a ton of trouble, and yourself, if you would prove the drive is able to play DVDs. The best way to do that is with VLC. It's a stupid 20 meg program that's free.