DVD playback problems

[TKHDebater]

I've never been able to play DVDs on my computer and now, without a TV, it's become a problem. I use VLC and upon opening the DVD it plays for a second or two, gives digital distortion for a couple seconds, plays for a second or two, more distortion, you get the idea.

I've also tried the players that come with the DVDs and same result.

I realize I don't have the most advanced system but my computer years ago could play DVDs, why can't this one?

Any suggestions you have would be appreciated. I'm hoping not to upgrade any hardware...


Hardware:

ATI Radeon HD 3600 Series - MSI R3650-T2D512-OC/D2 Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported

Motherboard - DFI LP JR P45-T2RS LGA 775 Intel P45 Micro ATX Intel

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000)


Thanks,

TKH

 

[VirtualLarry]

You must have a bad codec on your system or something, because that system is powerful enough to play Blu-Ray, I think (Q6600). A Dvd only requires a Pentium III 500Mhz CPU at minimum to play.

Have you tried some different players? Such as Nero's video player? Media Player Classic or Media Player Classic - Home Cinema? I use MPC to play DVDs just fine.

I think VLC is crap, personally. It does the same thing to me, playing .MKV files, it plays, distorts, plays, etc.

 

[TheMeanestGuest]

Like Larry said, try MPC Home Cinema, it works for me.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Have you tried alternates like GOM Player, Media Player Classic Home Cinema, or good ol' WMP with a MPEG2 decoder (like ffdshow)? Do they all consistently generate the same glitch? Does this only happen with DVDs? Can you play regular MPEG-2 videos (with a .mpg extension)?

I've also tried the players that come with the DVDs and same result.

I guess you're referencing either Cyberlink or WinDVD (or both). I'd be surprised if those two didn't work either. Playing a DVD on your system ought to barely keep a single core pegged at 5% (just a guesstimate) so you can rest assured, you don't need a hardware upgrade.

Have you tried uninstalling all media apps/codecs that you have? Maybe something like CCCP Insurgent can help you track any conflicting/incompatible codec packs. Odd thing is VLC is self-contained so that shouldn't be affected by other files on the system.

Also, give GOM Player a shot, it's also self-contained (i.e. inbuilt library of 'safe' filters/splitters/codecs); it oughta work.

 

[faxon]

if your problem is codec related try installing the k-lite mega pack (including players). should come with all the codecs you need for everything besides FLAC and it comes with various versions of media player classic, VLC, ect ect. trying cyberlink's DVD player also isnt a bad idea. i havent had any issues with the latest version that came bundled with my LG BD-ROM/DVD+CD burner

 

[PurdueRy]

I believe VLC uses its own codecs and can not be configured to use others. Seems weird to me that you would have this issue given that it comes with a standard codec pack unless another is trying to override it. Like others have said try a different player. Also I might try creating a .iso file of a DVD and playing that(VLC can play these without help from programs like alcohol 52%) just to rule out the DVD player itself.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Oh, and don't forget to run "DPC Latency Checker" on the system, and tell us if you get any big red bars.

 

[TKHDebater]

Thank you all for your replies. I downloaded ffdshow and the latest version of VLC and one of those two did the trick, although WMP still doesn't seem to want to play DVDs. I've also downloaded MPC-homecinema after all the recommendations and will be giving that a spin. It's great to be able to watch DVDs again.

Thank you!