Thinkpads Forum

When I insert a DVD in my 600X, XP opens the usual window asking what I want to do with it. When I click "play it in Windows Media Player" I get a message saying I need a DVD decoder.

Ok, where can I download a DVD decoder for free, and what's the best one?

What I really want to do is install the DVD's like any other software. When I insert a CD, I can copy it to My Music, then put the songs in whatever sub-folder I want. I want to do the same with DVDs, and I prefer to do it with Windows Media Player, which is the most convinient software for audio and video.

What is the best software, free or not, for this?

I wouldn't think of DVDs as "software" that you "install" like any other software. DVDs are optical storage media for files stored in a specially encrypted format.

I'm not sure if you are trying to copy files or just play them. Extracting and decrypting files from most commercial movie DVDs is borderline illegal in most countries.

To simply play a DVD, all you need is DVD player software. I don't know the best software to do this. However, the two that I use are:
VLC Player
Media Player Classic or MPC

VLC Player includes DVD codecs, I believe. I've not personally used the latest version of MPC, but still use an old classic version.

If you purchased an original IBM-supplied DVD drive for a 600X, then it shipped with a DVD player called Mediamatics DVDExpress. That software player is generally regarded as an inferior DVD player, but some people (including me) consider it abandonware, so you can obtain a copy of it here:
http://thinkpads.kiff.ca/files/DVDExpress-27L2581.ISO

Some versions of DVDExpress were specifically customized for Thinkpads, including the 600 and 770 series. If you decide to install DVDExpress, then you will want to use the ISO above to install it, and then immediately update it to the latest version available from IBM:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4GV37K

The update is a full release that completely replaces the version installed using the ISO. The only reason you need to use the ISO release, is that the update requires that you already have DVDExpress installed in order to perform the update install.

I usually have all three of these programs on my 600 series machines (DVDExpress, MPC, and VLC Player). And they can all happily co-exist on the same machine with Windows Media Player. If you install DVDExpress, then it will also install DVD codecs for you. Those same codecs will then allow you to play DVDs with your built-in Microsoft Windows Media Player. And then you can use whichever one you like, or you can try another one if you run into problems with any particular file.

DVDExpress is the weakest of the bunch, and it can leave a bit of a mess behind in your registry and in your system folders that it doesn't necessarily clean out as well as it should after you uninstall it. The others are very well behaved.

Phil.

Thanks for the link.

> I wouldn't think of DVDs as "software" that you "install" like any other software. DVDs are
> optical storage media for files stored in a specially encrypted format.

What I meant is the *videos* are software. I install all my music from CD to the computer and play it in Windows Media Player. That's no more piracy than installing Microsoft Works, Office, or Encarta. Most versions of Encarta have the option of installing the data or using it from the CD. Windows Media Player has this option built in for music CD's. I want to do the same for DVD's.

What you seem to be asking is how to "rip" a DVD. My understanding of the current DMCA laws, it is still illegal for one to circumvent the encoding system (CSS) which is prevalent on commercially sold DVDs. This makes it quite different in the eyes of the law when comparing the same action with an audio CD, which does not have any encoding/encryption system.

Just as copying music from CDs uses 'CD-ripping' software, copying video from DVDs requires 'DVD-ripping' software. Similarly as changing the music to a more convenient format (MP3/WMA instead of WAV) requires an encoder, the same is true for video. Since DVDs are deliberately encrypted in a (failed) attempt to prevent copying, DVD ripping software may be of questionable legality depending on where you live.
EDIT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_ripper

I think Nero and similar packages also may include this capability.
There's also a free app that doesn't do transcoding, just decrypts and pulls the MPEG2 data from the DVD: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_Decrypter (apparently no longer available legally since the developer of the copy-protection aquired the rights to the software and revoked all licenses)