DVD playback on PC (WMP, Quicktime, iTunes don't work)

I'm having trouble with Windows Media Player (and everything else I have for watching a DVD). Anytime I try to watch a movie on the computer that is from a pre-recorded DVD, I get an error in WMP that says I need a decoder. I've never needed a decoder before. I just loaded version 11 hoping it would make a difference, but still get the same message. The decoder (which I can, of course, buy from them) costs like $15-25.

I've tried to run movies on Quick Time and iTunes, but they can't find the media and won't work.

I'm running on an older Dell with XP SP3.

Any ideas what is wrong and why I can't play movies anymore? Our DVD player remote died and this is the only way I have to watch anything.

 

Hi

You can use VLC Media Player or The KMplayer to watch DVDs (they're both freeware), or if you prefer Windows Media Player, download and install K-Lite Mega Codec Pack. I hope this fixes your issue.

 

No preference, but I've never really liked WMP, just didn't know what else to use. Are either of the other ones decent? I use iTunes for music playback and really only want a DVD player. Thanks for the help!

 

I use VLC and on some computers VLC portable (I have it running from a USB stick), simply because it plays almost anything you throw at it.

http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/vlc_portable
just in case you'd prefer not to install a player.