Posted on 05/06/2012 3:10:12 PM PDT by CedarDave
The upcoming Windows 8 operating system (which you can download and preview now) is dropping the ability to play DVD content.
According to Windows engineering team member Steven Sinofsky (emphasis his), "Windows Media Player will continue to be available in all editions, but without DVD playback support. For optical discs playback on new Windows 8 devices, we are going to rely on the many quality solutions on the market, which provide great experiences for both DVD and Blu-ray." In other words: If you want to watch that Bridesmaids DVD on your next plane trip, you're going to have to pay extra for software that will let you play it, even if your laptop already has a DVD drive. And don't think getting Blu-ray is an option — you can't play that straight from the box, either.
If you're left scratching your heads, the rationale behind dropping DVD support is simple: It's about the bottom line. Says Sinofsky, "traditional media playback scenarios, optical media, and broadcast TV, require a specialized set of decoders (and hardware) that cost a significant amount in royalties." Windows 8 will allow customers the option to install a Windows Media Center upgrade to allow DVD playback at extra cost, though Microsoft is not saying exactly how high that cost will be.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
http://www.tecca.com/news/2011/06/28/os-windows-xp-market-share/
Because some software won't work with Windows2000?
Won’t Hollywood be surprised when, after making sure no one can access their tripe without paying, there won’t be anyone left who wants to see it.
Ping for tech list.
Windows 8.... Simple .... Don’t purchase it.
“you’re going to have to pay extra for software that will let you play it”
LOL! Free VLC rules the market, he knows it, it would cost nothing to show a little class and acknowledge it.
Hmm, if WMP is optional Windows 8 has at least one big improvement...
Another reason to sick with Windows 7.
Microsoft shoots themselves in the foot again.
I have a couple of old HP printers (including a laser jet that I purchased back in 1996 for use with Windows 95) that work great for me on XP. Windows Vista forced most users of older hardware to abandon perfectly good hardware as drivers were not available. Whether they are available for Windows 7 or upcoming Windows 8, I don’t know but don’t plan to switch until MS pulls the plug on XP.
http://download.cnet.com/VLC-Media-Player/3000-13632_4-10267151.html
Not really Microsoft’s fault. DVD playback requires royalties for MPEG-2 and Dolby Digital AC-3. Microsoft doesn’t feel like paying those royalties anymore, especially with the rise of streaming video. Users of Windows 8 can buy and install their own DVD players if they want. The VLC player is a free alternative that can handle DVDs.
I have yet to find a media format it won't play. And it's FREE.
“Another reason to sick with Windows 7.
Microsoft shoots themselves in the foot again.”
It costs money to include those DVD codecs, and most people dont watch DVDs on their computers.
If someone wants to play DVDs that badly, then they can go download the codecs or another media player.
Including the ability to play them has never been a standard feature in OSs.
Windows Media Player v. 11 is used with XP but won’t play MP4 videos. Does anyone have a link to an MP4 codec that doesn’t have spyware, malware, or a lot of bloatware codecs that most folks would never use. Just something keeping it simple is what I’m looking for.
Does that mean that you don't want to use VLC Media Player? It plays MP4.
Yep, who needs windows media when we have VLC.
I don’t fault Microsoft, sounds like good business decision not to include an inferior product when you can get a better one for free.
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