Problem with Windows Media Player only playing audio on some DVDs

[Gigi]

Hi - hope someone can help as I am slowing going nuts trying all the
solutions offered over the Internet to fix this problem.

I have Windows Vista Home Basic and use Windows Media Player version
11.0.6002.18065 (I'm guessing that's version 11).

I also bought and installed CyberPowerDVDSE for Vista since initial error
message said I needed a DVD decoder.

So far so good.

Media player plays audio on some DVDs but not all, not I did some research
and found that a lot of people were recommending codecs.

So, I installed the windows codec package and that didn't work. I
uninstalled that and installed AC3 Filter and that didn't work. So I
uninstalled that and installed Kl codec505b. That didn't work either.

I then tried re-installing the latest version of Vista and I got the message
that it wasn't suitable for my computer.

which leads me to here - DEAD END & MAJOR FRUSTRATION!

Can anyone help? I'm not a techie so if you can explain what to do in
laywoman's terms, I would be most grateful.

Thanks for your advice and support,
Gigi

[Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media]]

Usually you'd expect the DVD decoder to provide those.

What I'm worride about is you have suggested loading lots of decoders
which are probably all interfering with each other, and I've no idea
which websites you got those from. Initially I'd suggest a quick Virus
scan to make sure your system is still clean.

Now if you work backwards - try a system rollback to remove all those
codec packs and other cruft which were added.

Then start with just adding the CyberPower (never heard of them BTW)
and testing playback.

If that's no help, just use the AC3Filter latest package from the
original website : http://ac3filter.net/projects/ac3filter which are
known to work for Dolby Digital audio (AC3 audio) and be up to date.

HTH
Cheers - Neil

------------------------------------------------
Digital Media MVP : 2004-2009
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpfaqs

[Gigi]

Hi Neil - first off - thank you for taking the time to reply. I greatly
appreciate your advice.

Don't worry, I am virus free and made certain I uninstalled each codec etc.
after I found they made no difference.

Currently I only have the DVD decoder Cyberlink PowerDVDSE installed, which
microsoft recommended. See here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/plugins.aspx

I already tried the AC3 filter from the site you mentioned and it didn't
make a difference. That's why I'm stumped!

Any ideas on where to go next?!
thanks!
Gigi

[Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media]]

I wonder if it's worth trying the DVD on another PC - perhaps a
friends machine. Just to determine that the audio really is playable.

Or test it on a standalone (home / hifi) DVD player.

You should be able to check the DVD decoders you've installed are
suitable for media player, using the following checker - which also
allows you to set Default decoder in case it's not listed as media
center compatible :

http://mediacenterexpert.blogspot.com/2006/07/vista-media-center-decoder-utility.html

After running that, you're looking for Cyberlink to be listed as
"media center compatible" and that it's set to be the default decoder
- it's possible some other decoder has hijacked the settings and isn't
actually the one in use.

HTH
Cheers - Neil

On Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:42:01 -0700, Gigi

[Gigi]

Hey Neil - thanks for all your help but I still can't figure it out, so I
have 2 options:

1. remove cyberlink and purchase another decoder - any recommendations on
which one is best for vista home basic?

2. "upgrade" to Vista home premium for $79, which includes a fully
functional media player - at least that's what they advertise.

I think I'm trending towards the latter...
gigi

[Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media]]

You haven't actually replied to the suggested tests - what were the
results of those, before you spend your hard-earned $ ?

Cheers - Neil

On Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:56:01 -0700, Gigi