Playing DVD's

[Snuffkins]

Hi everyone,

We've got quite a few PC's here that we had DVD drives with but for some reason no software bundled with them. I thought we'd be able to just play them using media player but we can't without install some DVD application with right encoders and decoders. I was wondering if anyone uses any free application to play DVD's that we would be able to use here?

Thanks,

Phill.

[OutToLunch]

VLC player will do the trick

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

If you want something a bit more shiny, next time you're ordering something pick up a few OEM copies of PowerDVD for about £3-4 each...

[Geoff]

VLC?

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Disclaimer: The DVD codec bypasses the DVD copy protection system (CSS) so is technically illegal.

Also make sure your school is licensed for DVD playback.

After a quick google found this

http://www.avsmedia.com/DVDPlayer/index.aspx

[Snuffkins]

I'll check on whether or not were licensed. I didn't think about that at all, thanks...

It's that end of term, lets do no work and let the kids watch dvd's all day everyday issue and not all machines have power dvd, so it's annoying having queues at the door of people who want to watch shrek lol.

[Dos_Box]

Try media portal.

http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

[CheeseDog]

Out of interest how do you go about licensing the school for DVD playback?

I've always wondered as schools seem to have had a very liberal attitude towards this since the days of video despite the warning displayed to everyone seconds before the film starts taht they are about to break the law.

Lets face it some places are only just waking up to s/w licenses

Whilst we're on it what about music as well? School discos/performances etc.

[Geoff]

CD/DVD/etc licensing was discussed in another thread not so long ago.

http://www.edugeek.net/index.php?nam...wtopic&p=35728

Pete's post and onwards has the information you require.

[CheeseDog]

CD/DVD/etc licensing was discussed in another thread not so long ago.

http://www.edugeek.net/index.php?nam...wtopic&p=35728

Pete's post and onwards has the information you require.

Cheers our authority blocked edugeek for a while. Another member got it unblocked for us Sandwellians.

[SpuffMonkey]

I favour Media Player Classic - it plays pretty much anything you point it at.

[SimpleSi]

The problem with DVD playback is that AFAIK there are no legal free Directshow filters (the thing that converts the encrypted DVD data) available. If there was one - we'd all be using it!

So lots of players will play a DVD but only if some non-free or illegal software is put on the machine in the 1st place.

I haven't tried Geoff's suggestion on a virgin machine but maybe worth a go.

regards
Simon

[bossman]

Been through the licensing with Lea and as long as you can prove that the dvd playback to audience within the confines of the school is for educational learning purposes then you are exempt from entertainments license. This is what my LEA has told me but you do need a tv license for to watch television around the school also for educational purposes.

[bossman]

just found this site may be of assistance in finding a solution to your problem:

http://www.techstore.co.uk/browse.ph...odLineID=37052

have fun

[GrumbleDook]

@Bossman: you still need to comply with ERA for free to air, and PVS for commercial DVDs. Commercial DVDs have on them a copyright warning that tend to say 'no showing in oil rigs, crematoriums, dungeons, schools, etc'. Unless someone has a piece of paper with your school's name on (not the LEA's but the school's) giving permission to play the DVDs then you can't ...

[sahmeepee]

I favour Media Player Classic - it plays pretty much anything you point it at.

I tend towards MPC too, although VLC does have its plus points.