How to play DVDs with Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player is a built-in tool on Windows for playing media files, both audio and video. It is easy to use and, since it is a built-in application, requires no purchase or download to use.

Windows Media Player is designed to play MP3s, MP4s, and other video and music files. At the same time, this program is not compatible with all media. Many of the player’s users have found themselves asking, “Why does my DVD not play on Windows Media Player?”

Unfortunately, in some cases, with its default playback system, Windows Media Player won’t play a DVD. That doesn’t mean you can never play a DVD with Windows Media Player. It just means you’ll need a DVD coder for Windows Media Player in some instances.

Suppose you are wondering, “How do I get Windows Media Player to play a DVD?” In that case, this article will provide instructions on how to play a DVD on Windows Media Player with programs that perform DVD decode for Windows Media Player.

Windows 10 users can download the Windows DVD Player App from the Windows Store. For a limited time, the app is free for users upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7. With this add-on, Windows Media Player will play DVDs with no additional downloads necessary.

The Windows Store offers several options, both paid and free, for playing DVDs on Windows 8.1. Fast Player for DVD, Pure Player X, DVD Media Player and Movie Video Player, and Coole VLLC Media Player for Windows are all free add-ons that will make playing DVDs on Windows 8.1 possible.

Because Windows Media Player on Windows 7 is DVD-compatible, there is no need for a plug-in to play a DVD.

Movavi Video Converter is known for its lightning-fast conversion speed. This program can also compress video files without sacrificing their quality. Movavi Video Converter offers functions that can trim and merge videos and add subtitles to any video.

This program converts video to over 180 file formats, including MP4, AVI, GIF, RAW, MOV, WMV, VOB, DVD, MP3, and MKV.

Movavi Video Converter is very easy to use, with an intuitive control panel. It is also available for a very affordable price.

The editing features on this program do have some limitations. Movavi Video Converter also does not offer functions to convert 2D to 3D, as some editors do, and cannot burn converted videos onto a DVD.

DVD Decoder Pack is another downloadable program designed to play DVDs on Windows Media Player. It features a user-friendly interface and supports multiple file formats, including MP4, 3GP, FLV, WMV, MPG, AVI, MOV, and MKV.

DVD Decoder Pack plays videos in MPEG-2 and 5.1 Channel Dolby Digital. The program is compatible with Windows 8 and 10.

Some users report having issues in the process of downloading the DVD Decoder Pack. The program is also not updated very often, so any glitches or bugs are not likely to be fixed promptly.

CinePlayer DVD Decoder Pack is specifically designed to make Windows Media Player DVD-capable. This software features a highly user-friendly interface that beginners will have no trouble navigating.

CinePlayer DVD Decoder supports multiple file formats, including FLV, WMV, MPG, 3GP, and MP4. The software produces high-quality sound and video with surround sound and subtitle capabilities.

One of CinePlayer DVD Decoder’s most notable features is its lip synchronization function. Many DVD watchers complain of an annoying disconnect between sound and video, resulting in dialogue not matching up to lip movements. CinePlayer DVD Decoder tackles this problem head-on rather effectively.

This software comprises a large file size which will take up a lot of space on your PC. Some users complain of its slow pace in processing videos and some glitches in its playback function.

This software offers quite a few handy features for enhancing your DVD-watching experience on Windows Media Player. WinDVD Pro converts video rapidly without taking up a great deal of CPU space.

Win DVD Pro is compatible with multiple file formats and home theater or surround sound systems. This software offers control of various factors like brightness, saturation, and hue and can also convert 2D to 3D, producing high-quality video and audio.

The interface is streamlined and user-friendly, offering a great deal of control with a few clicks.

WinDVD Pro is not available on macOS. It also won’t play Blu-ray discs. Users also report that the program occasionally crashes.

This program is another choice of software for playing DVDs on Windows Media Player that offers high-quality video and audio playback. Cyberlink PowerDVD offers several high-end functions, including HDR color, HD upscaling, noise reduction, motion compensation, and stabilization.

Cyberlink PowerDVD offers a TV viewing mode that is designed to enhance the DVD-watching experience. In this mode, the mouse cannot control the player, but you can download a mobile app that functions as a remote control, a handy feature for any couch potato.

This software also provides streaming and sharing functions to multiple platforms, including YouTube.

Cyberlink PowerDVD is not available on macOS. Its interface is relatively complicated, with multiple tabs and dropdown menus that may not seem intuitive to new users, so it may take some time to learn to navigate. Some users also report that using the program slowed their systems down.

VLC Media Player is one of the most popular alternatives to Windows Media Player. This program is capable of converting any file type imaginable for clear, glitch-free audio and video playback.

VLC Media Player is very user-friendly, with a simple, intuitive interface. It does not hog a lot of space on your CPU and produces consistently high-quality results. It can be used for video and audio, so many users consolidate their movie and music libraries in this one program.

This program offers a considerable amount of customizability, especially with the multiple plug-ins available to be added to it. It gives users control over the audio, allowing an increase of up to 200%, as well as the visual elements of a video.

Best of all, VLC Media Player is free and includes no ads.

5KPlayer is a video playback program specifically designed for older PCs that struggle with ultra-HD video. This software makes it possible to watch videos with 2K and 4K resolution on aging computers.

The 5KPlayer interface is easy to use, with simple menu choices and drag-and-drop options. The player produces high-quality video and audio and offers a YouTube download feature and AirPlay mirroring.

This software also provides a wide range of music filters, a video library function, and a high-bitrate video music downloader.

Kodi is an open-source alternative to Windows Media Player that offers an impressive array of features and is compatible with just about every system - Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and even Raspberry Pi.

Kodi is designed with home theaters in mind. It serves as a library for videos, music, photos, and other media you may want to view with a projector or home theater device.

While Kodi is a powerful tool with many customization options, its interface is not the most user-friendly option for beginners. Some users also complain about the difficulty of navigating the software with a mouse and keyboard.