[Alec]

I would like to know what is considered here to be the best overall DVD playback software.


Prerequisites:

• Must have reasonable video and audio hardware support
• Must have a version that runs on Windows XP
• Must have support of Dolby Digital and / or DTS surround digital bit stream output (at least on Delux version)

Criteria:

• Stability / dependability of digital surround bitstream output (to receiver)
• Video options (custom display resolutions, color/gamma adjustment, etc.)
• Audio extras (if on delux edition) - e.g. DTS/DTS-ES Discrete/THX, etc.
• Integration with VFDs, remote controls, other HTPC hardware / software
• Vendor reputability / support
• Value
• Other features

If you have experiences to share or select "Other" on the poll, please be sure to post also

 

[DArthur]

You missed the software DVD wars from just a few months ago


One popular player is the Theater Tek from immersive. You'll probably find that several AVSForum members are very happy with it - I am!


Darryl

 

[Karnis]

*yawn*

Not another DVD poll...

There is no best DVD SW player. Pick the one that appeals to you feature-wise. IMHO, if you like a desktop player so you can view in a window while doing other tasks, either WinDVD, PDVD, C4 or the ATi player works. If you like your player to emulate a STB, go with TheaterTek. If you like to tweak endlessly & play with filters, try Zoom Player.

BTW, if you prefer your DVD player to do the multi-channel decoding built-in (Hi, BillGaw! ) either PDVD or the new WinDVD will do. Not sure about C4, however.

 

[Bob Sorel]

Yup, Karnis pretty much said it all, including the *yawn*


If you must have yet another poll, then you might as well include the 2 best players available, Theater Tek and Zoom Player. If you don't include those two, you are just fooling yourself.

 

[Alec]

Well, I realize now I have missed TheaterTek and Zoom Player in my admittedly incomplete research for this poll / message. I did however list the Dolby Digital (at least), also DTS, digital surround bitstream output among the major considerations for this particular poll.


I realize it may not be seen by all as essential, but I would like to be able to use my receiver (Denon 3802) to decode surround audio, and I do not think digital surround output support is such an unusual requirement for a DVD home theater device (incl. HTPC).


Then there's another aspect of features claimed vs. actually working consistently and without defects across a reasonable scope of hardware. I see people having all sorts of issues which is understandable given the diversity of the hardware and software.


My best hope, therefore, is to solicit advice from folks who have been there, done that - I am not ready to just take the vendor's feature sheet as gospel / whole story. And yes, the "who's best in a specific regard" landscape can also change with new hardware / drivers / OS / software releases and updates. So that's the angle and the reason for this thread, to which your contribution will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Alec]

Plus there's the upcomig WinDVD 4.0 ... does it tip the balance vs. CyberLink PowerDVD, or are they in a catch-up mode?

 

[wsaHarem]



If this forum is just for a bunch of guys/gals that have been there/done that... Maybe you can recommend a place to go for us young/new guys that don't have a clue about most of this stuff..


In all seriousness I for one appreciate the wealth of knowledge that is on the board and in the "been there / done that" guys heads..




And so far as a newbie, I am not very impressed with the TheaterTek's DVD player. You constantly see on this board... TheaterTek hangs/crashes but it works fine with PowerDVD/WinDVD..


Bill

 

[Blight]

I nominate this thread for locking


Seriously, we've quite a few of these and they never end nicely.

 

[minaelromany]

You are right Blight

 

[Karnis]

Quote:

Originally posted by wsaHarem If this forum is just for a bunch of guys/gals that have been there/done that... Maybe you can recommend a place to go for us young/new guys that don't have a clue about most of this stuff.. Bill

I sure can!
Here


It's just that this subject has been done soooo many times before, and as Blight said...it never ends pretty!


Instead of yawn, perhaps I should've said duck and cover!

 

[xcel]

Hi Alec:


___You have to do some research before beginning a poll like this … and as stated above, this thread is not only a nominee for locking but is locked


___Wayne R. Gerdes

___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.

___ [email protected]