Free DVD Decoding Libraries...

[EpheMeroN]

Does anyone know of free dvd decoding libraries for Windows? Certain media players can act as dvd-frontends, but need an already installed dvd decoding library (i.e. PowerDVD, WinDVD, etc etc.) but if there was a free way to decode dvds that would be ideal.

[unmei]

AFAIK the Elecard decoder is free. Maybe Media Player Classic's decoder can also be used by other players..

[EpheMeroN]

I downloaded / installed the Elecard MPEG-2 Decoder Pack just now. It is not free. It will only decrypt non-CSS media, i.e. no dvds until you register.

There has to be a freeware dvd decoding library. There's a free decoder of most everything else for Windows. Help!

[DAvenger]

If it's free it has to be illegal :)

[shevegen]

"If it's free it has to be illegal"

How can this be if you legally bought a DVD and you
are denied certain choices how you want to do
with it?

We could shortcut and monopolize everything. At least
it would be more honest to the customers ;)

[ukb008]

I don't get this. There are lotsa free stuff not illegal. But maybe I'm missing the point.

Regards

[communist]

I guess due to required MPEG(2) and CSS licenses.

Anyway VLC / MPC play DVDs just fine :)

[Doobie]

Is the PowerDVD software that seems to come with every motherboard and DVD drive you buy a full version or a trial version? I have a bunch of them but have never bothered to install any of them.

[dragongodz]

Is the PowerDVD software that seems to come with every motherboard and DVD drive you buy a full version or a trial version?
usually they are either older(version 5 was out when i got my burner) and/or special limited versions. for example i got WinDVD 4 SE with my burner. so its both older and SE(SpecialEdition) which means it does not have all the extras and features of the full version. did basic dvd playing fine however which is what it was for.

[Shinigami-Sama]

I had power dvd with my system but theres winamp plug-ins that have dvd suport iirc and I think you can port some to ther media players as well
but other than that I have no idea

[ukb008]

The PDVD that comes with equipment like the DVD-drive or motherboard is a full version, but not the latest, current version.

Regards.