Help, I need suggestions - I want to play movies via my laptop, need software?

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Help, I need suggestions - I want to play movies via my laptop, need software?

(19 posts) (13 voices)

Started 14 years ago by Whiterabbit-uk
Latest reply from sparky

Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

We are going on vacation at the end of this month (28th May). I usually end up being stuck in the hotel room for a large proportion of the vacation because it's too much for me to be out and about every day; so I stock up on the latest movies and take them with me together with my trusty lap top. Unfortunately the software that came bundled with the laptop no longer works and I need sofware that will play a commercial DVD movie.

Has anyone got any suggestions as to which software will enable the laptop to play the movies? Freeware would be preferable But if I have to I'll purchase software. I only need a player. Windows media player wont play the movies. I keep getting a message saying I need to adjust my screen resolution, but no matter what setting I change it to it always says the same thing. As for codecs; I'm totally clueless when it comes to such things. It may just require a codec to play, so if anyone has any ideas, it would be very much appreciated. :) Thank you in advance. :)

Regards

Whiterabbit

Posted 14 years ago #
BitBullet
Member

VideoLan VLC should do the trick.

Posted 14 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Does anyone know whether Winamp pro will play commercial DVD's? I use the free version, but that doesn't support video playback.

Thanks

W.R.

Posted 14 years ago #
Delilah
Member

Hi, Rabbit,

I'm clueless about codecs, too. But I like Media Player Classic, which I believe is included when you download the full (free) codec pack from the list here (it just doesn't say so on the site):

http://free-codecs.com/K_Lite_Codec_Pack_download.htm

Or, if you have a media player you like, there are codecs for other players here:

http://free-codecs.com/Codec_Packs.htm

The list at the second location is kinda long and confusing (to me, anyway), so I hope you don't need it. And I hope you have a good vacation. Happy viewing!

'Lilah

EDIT: Here's some info about what's contained in the various codec packs, and yes, it does say that Media Player Classic (Home Cinema) is included.

http://free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Codec_Pack.htm

Posted 14 years ago #
RosnSC
Member

"As for codecs; I'm totally clueless when it comes to such things. It may just require a codec to play,"

WR, you can take care of codecs through your System Hardware manager. Right click on My Computer, select Properties, Hardware tab, Device Manager, Sound, video, and game controllers. You'll see Audio Codecs and Video Codecs; click onto Video Codecs, and then onto Update Driver at the top of the window, and go from there. That's how it works on XP, anyway, which is what my computer runs. HTH you. I can't check the same procedure on my SIL's Windows 7 rig, right now, because she is sleeping (it's in her bedroom). :)

Posted 14 years ago #
Robert
StrayCat

Hi Whiterabbit,

You should take a look at Media Player Classic Home Cinema (freeware)!
This project is based on the original "Media Player Classic" .
No need to install any additional software or codecs either.
Enjoy your holiday!
____________________

...Hi Sue.

Posted 14 years ago #
RosnSC
Member

I agree you shouldn't have to install codecs (if you do, then you do), but may only need to update the driver. You would need that for anything on your laptop, though, not just to watch movies.

Robert, hi there, yourself (yeah you're one of those 'buds' I mentioned on another thread, this morning...grins). I may just check out that Media Player software you mentioned. I don't know if my recently-re-resurrected desktop will run a commercial DVD, or not, though I can check; I know we have one of those 'boogers' around here, somewhere...lol. If it will, then great, but if not, well it's good to know there's free stuff out there that can and will; just have to check and make sure it's good. :D

Posted 14 years ago #
BentlyTCow
Member

I'd try VLC Portable as it's a no-install option. Also has the visual bells and whistles for too-dark movies. Though it uses an installer, I believe it only uses it to place files and no registry changes are made. It's a little slow to start up but great once its going. Another option is mplayer portable, found on the same website. It's much faster to start but lacks any extras. For both all codecs are included.

http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/vlc_portable

Posted 14 years ago #
Idunnobutiwastold
Gaming Acolyte

Hi Whiterabbit,

Microsoft links to DVD codecs available for purchase. Once installed, Windows Media Player and many of the freeware players will start to play commercial DVDs. (Cyberlink and Sonic are popular choices).

Links to commercial DVD codecs:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/plugins.aspx

Usually, DVD software players bundled with new hardware install by default a usable DVD decoder on your PC.

Posted 14 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Thanks for the quick response folks. I'll try those suggested later this evening. Looking forwards to getting it sorted. :)

W.R.

Posted 14 years ago #
GMMan, Hexadecimal Blacksmith
Blocked

Note about DVD decoders: It's ridiculous, but Windows XP does not come with a DVD decoder. If the computer came with a DVD software, your best bet is to install that, and then use any video player to play the DVDs. Alternative to save battery power: rip the DVDs.

Posted 14 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Yeah, tried the two above and the Media Player Classic Home cinema worked with no problems. I stalled the software. put a DVD in the DVD reader and hey presto I got my film running (Hell Ride). Thank you. This has really made my day. :)

Posted 14 years ago #
GMMan, Hexadecimal Blacksmith
Blocked

Just a note about MPC-HC: It's great, though sometimes its playback doesn't work properly. It's a good idea to have a backup, such as VLC. Have fun!

Posted 14 years ago #
Archangel
Member

VLC is what I use also. It's light weight and use's very little of system resources.

Posted 14 years ago #
Buckleysmom
Member

Enjoy your vacation Rabbit.....you deserve it!!!!! You've earned it. We'll miss you ;)

BK

Posted 14 years ago #
goodgotd
Member

I'll weigh in on VLC 1.05. good options, most formats are internal to the install, plays DVD's just fine for me.

(usually just before I rip, to find out what extras are worth snagging. the antipiracy bs I've got, no need for more- but the front room computer is my movie player, and it hasn't got a dvd drive.)

Do enjoy the vacation, man, I wish I could get one....

Posted 14 years ago #
Inas
Member

Enjoy your vacation, WR, hope it's fun & relaxing - yes, you deserve it very much.
Inas

Posted 14 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Thanks folks, I'll be sure to install both programs to my laptop. It's always better to be safe than sorry. I will have internet access while on vacation so will still be here but only to red and post generally. I wont be posting any games or working on the synopsis which is still not completed yet; and if there are any giveaway games I probably wont be writing any reviews while on vacation.

I'm taking around 100 movies, most I've been saving for the vacation and some are ones I've already watched but want to watch again (like Seven Years in Tibet, Three Kingdoms, 2012 and the Alien Quadrilogy). 100 movies sounds quite a lot, but I like to be able to pick and choose to fit the mood. The ones I'm really looking forwards to watching are Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Valhalla Rising, Where the Wild Things are (with my kids), Inglourious Basterds, Ice Age 3 (with the kids), Warrior King, Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (with the Kids), Bangkok Dangerous, 28 Weeks Later, The Kingdom, Jet li's Fearless, District 9, Terminator Salvation, District 13 Ultimatum, and There Will be Blood. I've been waitng all year to watch some of the above, so would appreciate any 'positive feedback on any of the titles.

This has just given me an idea for another thread. :)

W.R.

Posted 14 years ago #
sparky
Member

I will say that I like real play. Pretty much because it comes with a ripper and a converter. Both are easy to use. Oh, it also comes with a trimmer too, so you can trim snip-its of what ever you want.

Posted 14 years ago #

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