WMP 12 sucks on 7 Here are some alternate routes

VLC Player
http://majorgeeks.com/VLC_media_player_d4674.html

Gom Player
http://majorgeeks.com/Gom_Player_d5595.html

Zoom player
http://majorgeeks.com/Zoom_Player_Home_Max_d413.html

WinAmp
http://majorgeeks.com/Winamp_5_Full_d2490.html

Realplayer
http://majorgeeks.com/RealPlayer_d4093.html

Div X
http://majorgeeks.com/DivX_for_Windows_d4297.html


And for for Video Codec Pack i would recommend

1.in my bookCombined Community Codec Pack
http://majorgeeks.com/CCCP_Combined_Community_Codec_Pack_d6093.html

2.is K light
http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5230

I never really have had an issue playing any thing with CCCP just in stall it and don't mess with any of your settings.

I have found that these 6 players are all most all the same Gom player plays just about the same as VLC but it really looks better.And it has more options then VLC player does.

These are Good Alternate Players for windows 7 media players and windows 8 Well for windows 8 you will have to pay for your WMP lol way pay when you can get a Alternate player for free Ha ha dumb microsoft.

Can some body move this to Software did not realize i was in Hard ware section.

 

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/...dows-media-center-available-in-windows-8.aspx

So your not playing for media player, but for the ability to play DVDs. That helps Microsoft not paying the Dolby tax for every PC with a license, instead making it so people that will actually play DVDs either pay it, or find a free alternative. So with the current trend in which streaming is the king, this wont even affect most people.

 

PotPlayer (x64) is all I use now. Careful that you don't use the built-in updater though, it'll revert you to the original Korean version - no big deal really, just adds a little fun guessing what the menus mean