dvd decoder for windows media player xp

I have been doing fine with this until just the last few days.
Keep getting the message that media player can't play dvd movies because there is no decoder. Any ideas on free dvd decoders I can download?
What is really a mystery to me is why I had never had any problems doing this before, but now am having problems.
Thanks

 

Thanks very much.
I will try that one right now.

 

I tried it and am still having problems... Am I being really dumb and doing something wrong? Should it not just be pretty straight forward and then sould play films automatically? :confused

 

Same here. Still problems. Now am on multiple other projects.

 

Try using VLC media player, or GOM Media Player, or Media Player Classic. VLC has it's own built-in DVD decoders, and the other two will use the codecs installed in the pack recommended by Halo....
VLC http://www.majorgeeks.com/VLC_media_player_d4674.html
GOM Player http://www.majorgeeks.com/Gom_Player_d5595.html
Media Player Classic http://www.majorgeeks.com/Media_Player_Classic_for_Windows_2000XP_d5782.html

 

Again you have saved my rear. I've been trying for ages to get some DVD's made by my Dad from old VHS tapes to work. I know the quality wouldn't be great, but all I got was a weird melange of big pixel-lookin' things, like a kaleidescope. Now at least I can see the performances etc.

Thanks for the decoder, Halo!