New laptop - looks like I need a DVD decoder according to my Google searches. Error message:

"Windows Media Player cannot play DVD video. Open Display in Control Panel, and then lower your screen resolution and color quality settings. To view the DVD Troubleshooter, click More Information."

I have a codec-pack already on my laptop but apparently none work with Win Media Player 10.

I read that I could download ANOTHER (several free apparently) player - that includes the decoder/codecs but I really do not want another player filling up my laptop.

Anybody have any idea what to do?

Cheers!

Seems you are missing the mpeg4 codec, bit surprising because should come with WMP. You can try this codec > Free-codecs

And the player I believe you are referring to is VLC Media Player Small foot print and plays nearly everything. Not a lot of bells and whistles with it though.

hi'

and it's even worse with media player 11

I tried to reinstall my codec pack, it doesn't work, dvd ok, but avi not ...

anyway, vlc does it all

francois

hi'

and it's even worse with media player 11

I tried to reinstall my codec pack, it doesn't work, dvd ok, but avi not ...

anyway, vlc does it all

francois

Try installing DivX. Its free and will make WMP to work fine with AVI.

For OP

Click on More Information button to read the precise error details.

hi'

and it's even worse with media player 11

I tried to reinstall my codec pack, it doesn't work, dvd ok, but avi not ...

anyway, vlc does it all

francois

Try installing DivX. Its free and will make WMP to work fine with AVI.

Also download xvid. DivX and xvid are the predominant codecs for AVI.

Xvid and DivX are both MPEG-4 codecs, either can be used for MPEG-4 playback. You don't need both. A better alternative to either IMHO, for decoding/playback anyway, is ffdshow.

DVD video is Mpeg2 and neither Xvid or Divx will do anything to help this.

Despite your hesitation to add another media player, I highly recommend Media Player Classic for video use. It has the simple uncluttered GUI of an older player with features that rival MS Media Players. It also has an Mpeg-2 filter built in that performs quite well, though you may need to manually enable it in the options.