My Windows Media Player doesn't read DVD's on Windows Vista?

Question

I recently restored my computer (Windows Vista) in order to free up memory and speed up my computer, but now I can't play a DVD on WIndows Meida Player because it says I don't have a DVD decoder.

Before the restoration I was able to see DVD's normally.

I tried downloading a DVD decoder for Windows Media Player but that didn't help.

Anybody know what to do?

Answer 1

Do you have the right Media Player? Version 8 or above, I think it is...

I'm not sure why the decoder doesn't work, but I suggest downloading either VLC player or Media Player Classic- they both play pretty much everything, and VLC is faster as well- plus they're free ^.^

Answer 2

If you are using Vista Basic or Vista Business editions, your copy of Windows media player won't have its own DVD decoder (Vista Home premium and Ultimate do).

Windows media player borrows the DVD decoder from other DVD playback software installed on your system (e.g.. WinDVD or PowerDVD) to play DVD movies. If these playback softwares are not installed or were uninstalled by the restoration process WMP will be unable to access the decoder and you get the error message. To correct the problem you would need to reinstall the other DVD playback software.  

Answer 3

1. Get Window Media Player 11 and then Try. Because Vista don't play dvds that has WMP 10 or lower.

2. Check Drive properties, Maybe you block playback of DVDs.

Answer 4

download crystal media player let it play the dvd it will then download any needed codecs, once this is does you'll also be able to play them using media player, have you also noticed if the movie thumbnails have gone, usually the 2 are connected.

Answer 5

Good Day.... You probably removed your DVD codec when you restore your computer.....try to look at windows update site for you to get the necessary codec....