Playing DVDs on Starter Edition

[Vince53]

As you know, Windows 7 Starter Edition cannot be purchased--you have to get it on a netbook. Heh heh heh. Of course, some of us live in Mexico, where...never mind, the Federalies might be reading this.

Anyway, you cannot play DVDs with Starter Edition. Just suppose someone in Mexico has a regular desktop with Starter Edition (and No, it isn't me). Can you download a free DVD player for Windows 7?

 

[Tarka Dal]

Yes there are many.
Try Free-Codecs.com : Download K-Lite Codec Pack 7.9.0 FULL, K-Lite Codec Pack 7.9.0 STANDARD, K-Lite Codec Pack 7.9.0 BASIC : K-Lite Codec Pack is a collection of codecs and related tools

 

[Corazon]

That's a codec pack, not DVD player software.

Here's one I found via Google (there's a free version): Free DVD Player software for Windows|DVD Player Freeware| BlazeDVD

 

[mickey megabyte]

he don't need no steeeeenkin codec pack...just use vlc - lots of people really like it!

and it's free, and legal!

 

[Tarka Dal]

Codec pack allows him to use all types of fils as you well know!
And it comes with the WMP classic so I haven't made any mistakes and the VLC player is a load of crap!

 

[mickey megabyte]

lol

 

[Vince53]

I appreciate all the kind and courteous answers. I'll be recommending this thread to the geek in charge.

 

[MilesAhead]

Many players can open DVD drives and play the contents. Another nice one is SPlayer

It seems to have a lower threshold for gpu acceleration than most players. It plays mkv, mp4 and m2ts files very nicely.. as well as HD avi SD avi and many others. Does automatic subtitle search. Generally a nice player. I'm still waiting for it to support PGS and XSub subtitles. I'd say the subtitle support is the area that could be improved. Since it does search the author is likely not that anxious to directly support embedded XSub and PGS subs.

 

[Shark007]

MilesAhead,
Splayer used to have a nasty bug where if you uninstalled Splayer,
it would break Media Centers' recognition that it can play AVI files.

Can you please test this scenario?
If you uninstall Splayer, is Media Centers' ability to recognize AVI files broken?

I'm unwilling to test Splayer because I depend on Media Center functionality.

 

[strollin]

The main reason Win 7 Starter doesn't play DVDs is because since it was aimed at netbooks and most (all?) netbooks don't have DVD drives, it doesn't make much sense to include that ability.

 

[MilesAhead]

MilesAhead,
Splayer used to have a nasty bug where if you uninstalled Splayer,
it would break Media Centers' recognition that it can play AVI files.

Can you please test this scenario?
If you uninstall Splayer, is Media Centers' ability to recognize AVI files broken?

I'm unwilling to test Splayer because I depend on Media Center functionality.

I don't install it. I use the portable version. Also I don't use media center. I think I've purchased 1/2 dozen HP Pavilion "Media Center" PCs and never put the batteries in one of those little remote controls. I just get 'em as price/performance compromise.

I don't even have SPlayer set up in file associations. I just have a shortcut in SendTo Menu or drop a file on the window. (edit: I believe the side-effect you mention is the reason I switched away from installed version. Uninstall may leave some holes in file associations.) addendum: Shark you make a good point. I have to make a note when recommending SPlayer to always recommend the Portable version and the reason why.

edit: of course to play a physical dvd I use right click menu, Open=>DVD

I download from this page:
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/SPlayer

just search "portable" to get the .7z file.

 

[Vince53]

The main reason Win 7 Starter doesn't play DVDs is because since it was aimed at netbooks and most (all?) netbooks don't have DVD drives, it doesn't make much sense to include that ability.

Strollin, you have a correct view of reality. You cannot buy Starter Edition, so you can only get it pre-installed on a netbook.

But then, some of us live in Mexico...

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
you can always download VLC which plays DVD's and is totally FREE.

An external usb DVD reader / writer is a cheap option to add on to a netbook for DVD playing.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Corazon]

Codec pack allows him to use all types of fils as you well know!
And it comes with the WMP classic so I haven't made any mistakes and the VLC player is a load of crap!

Clearly a very objective evaluation. :sarc:

 

[Tarka Dal]

Codec pack allows him to use all types of fils as you well know!
And it comes with the WMP classic so I haven't made any mistakes and the VLC player is a load of crap!

Clearly a very objective evaluation. :sarc:

Thats because I found it difficult to use.
:sarc: