"Tom Francis" wrote in message
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Which only goes to make my point once again.

If you are going to build "media player" software, and computers come
installed with DVD players, then logically, the software that controls
the "media" should include the proper decoder for DVDs.

Thus, it really is Bill Gates' fault. :)

The problem with Media Player 10 is that it's given away *free* on the web,
or Media Player 9 is that it's *free* with Windows XP. Most windows users
don't even use the thing, and those that do upgrade (for free) to 10 and
only use it for CD's and MP-3's. So no, it does not behoove Microsoft to
pony up for a DVD decoder in it's generic OS that 7/10's of the users won't
use anyway.

Microsoft has an XP "Media Center Edition" for those who's primary focus is
multi-media. And it's no more expensive on New Egg than vanilla XP. And it
comes with the codecs and lots more too. However, it does behoove any
builder who assembles a box with a DVD Player in it, to bundle DVD playing
software and/or a codec. Or to use XP Media Center Edition when pre-loading
the software. Just like I did when I built yesterdays box.

(in a related note.... while the DVD stuff worked fine, the f_*!ing TIVO
card was DOA and needs to be returned for another. sigh - and I build my
own computers "for RnR" - LOL)

What's interesting is the Media Player 11 is in Beta test and Windows Vista
is coming soon (Christmas?). It'll be curious to see if they don't include
the codec *this* time around. Computers have gotten more DVD friendly since
XP and Media Player 10 appeared a few years ago. I'm kind of wary of
Vista... it's supposed to be more media friendly, but also friendlier to the
Media Copyright holders, which will no doubt make it harder to rip and
convert your CD's to MP3-s and move them around or to make custom CD's.

As it is now... in order to copy ("rip") a DVD to your hard disk for later
viewing, you need to subscribe to a 3rd party software called AnyDVD that
sends you a "new mouse" every time the DVD makers build a better mousetrap.
My home theater is driven only by a PC, and I ran into this a lot untill I
ponied up the (one time fee) of $39 for AnyDVD. I suspect Vista will cause
AnyDVD's sales to bloom even more.

-W