DVD quality question...

[Dodie]

Don't have a DVD player, but new computer is supposed to be able to show DVDs.

We're thinking about getting a DVD player, so I bought a DVD to play on the computer - just to see what I thought.

It won't play. Did all of the technical troubleshooting and it says it must be the DVD. I tried to open the DVD to look at its properties and it shows that there's nothing on it(?)

Is this common? Do you think it's true that it's empty or flawed? Did I just get a bad DVD? (I hate to go through returning it, getting another one, and finding out that it's my computer.)If it IS the DVD, this won't help convince DH that we need a DVD player.

What do you think?

 

[dizneegirl]

Are you sure you have a DVD player loaded on your computer? They're all software driven - hopefully you got one with your DVD drive.

 

[ghost1000]

Ok first off the DVD Quality question - There is no comparison w/ VHS. DVD is much sharper and the colors are much more stable.

You also get the added benefits of extras like making ofs, commentaries, etc. Not to mention - no more rewinding, being able to jump to your favorite scenes immediately, and knowing that it won't wear out like a tape.

Basic DVD players can be had as cheap as VCRs now (under $100) and I know that all of our local stores and rental places are getting in more & more DVDs and fewer VHS - so you won't have much of a choice in the future.

Ok on to the computer problem - I have had bad DVDs before but typically they play somewhat but you run into a problem in the video itself.

I don't know what player you may have installed on your computer but one that you can download a trial version of is WinDVD. You can download it at:
http://download.com.com/3000-2194-10115711.html?tag=lst-0-1


Hope this helps. If it isn't apparent I'm a DVD addict - I currently have almost 600 DVDs....

Hope this helps,

 

[Dodie]

Yes. I installed WinDVD 4.0, but my computer will not read the DVD at all.

I am only technical enough to be dangerous... and frustrated.

I am loading suggested MS updates now, two of which include something to do with DVD playback. We'll see what happens.

 

[cotye]

WIth my old computer, I had a lot of problems playing DVDs. Some would work and some wouldn't.... I remember I had a lot of problems with the Rush Hour 2 and MiB DVDs. I found that when I turned down the resolution, it helps play some of them... Don't know if it'll help, but i know the Shrek DVD has a player with that... Same with the Snow White DVD. Best of luck to you!

 

[yensid1071]

I bought a DVD-R/CD-RW for my machine to replace a CD-RW drive, but had problems getting the DVD player to work. I did all the troubleshooting and tried a number of DVDs, but nothing worked. I just uninstalled the drive, gathered up all the parts & returned the drive. My machine is up to date, but for some reason, it just wouldn't work. Good luck! I hope you find a solution!!!

 

[Jeff in BigD]

We bought a DVD player back in 1997 & haven't looked back.

I can't remember the last time I bought or rented a VHS. When someone mentions they have a tape of a movie it strikes me the same way as when someone says they have an audio tape of something.