What software to use to play my DVDs'

27-09-2001, 14:05

I have PowerDVD v3.0 by Cyberlink and I also have MGI's Softdvd v6.0. I was wondering which one would you consider using.

MarkBeer · 27-09-2001, 14:44

There has already been a topic about this in this forum. It was mostly agreed that PowerDVD is the best PC DVD player of all.

As for the MGI SoftDVD, well before today I have never even heard of it, although according to it's web-site it's does look pretty good with a lot of European awards. How is the user ability of the program? Also, is the picture quality the same as PowerDVD?

Jay-Dee · 27-09-2001, 22:09

power dvd is the most widely supported program for all types of sound and video cards
intervideo windvd slightly wins in the image quality stakes

squidgy · 28-09-2001, 19:25

The most frustrating thing about using your PC to play DVD's, I find, is the lack of a remote control! However, you can get infra-red remote controls, but they're a bit on the pricey side. I find that the best thing to do is to make do with a gamepad. I use the Microsoft Sidewinder GamePad Pro for this purpose, and I've made a scheme to control PowerDVD 2.66 with it, and I'm fairly pleased with it.

So, what I would wonder about with any software DVD player is, how easy is it to make remote control or gamepad schemes for it? I've made a gamepad scheme to do the simple play, stop, pause, skip chapters, volume up and down, step frame and menu navigation features, and, with a bit of patience, the same scheme can also be used to manage bookmarks and create MP3 playlists. It also uses MouseKeys keystrokes to move the mouse pointer into the corner of the screen, out of the way, and to bring up the main menu. (I'll happily email the scheme file I've made to anyone who wants it, with instructions on how to use it, but you should be able to bang your own together in about an hour anyway.) However, some of PowerDVD's features can only be accessed by clicking icons on the console window (for example, the navigational slider), and programming a gamepad scheme to do this is somewhat fiddly. Especially if this window gets moved around the screen.

Is there any DVD player software which is better than this, or any where they've actually thought about gamepads and remote control applications at all? Thanks.

Jay-Dee · 28-09-2001, 22:37

the motherboard manufacturere abit have made a soundcard that comes with a remote control and a special version dvd software which is compatible with the remote
the good thing is that its only about £35

squidgy · 29-09-2001, 01:59

Now ya tell me! Do you know where I can find out more about this? Thanks.

Jay-Dee · 30-09-2001, 00:40

Quote:

ABIT's innovative AU10 sound card lets you experience complete 5.1 channel surround sound. This PCI card is an essential part of your PC home theater system whether you are listening to music CDs, watching DVD movies, playing PC games, or listening to MP3 files.

The AU10 comes bundled with a G9 cable for audio connections and an infrared receiver paired with a remote control. Home users can lay back and watch their favorite movie from a more comfortable distance.

ABIT's AU10 also comes bundled with InterVideo's WinDVD and WinRip software. The WinDVD player includes full Dolby Digital/DTS decoding while WinRip provides you with a complete 5.1 channel audio playback and recording environment. Including MP3, enhanced MP3, WAVE, MIDI, and Audio CD.

Even though the AU10 is designed to work with ABIT Home Theater, it is compatible with the 5.1 channel Home Theater speaker systems of most manufacturers. The AU10 supports both Dolby Digital and DTS.

Specifications:

Support 5.1 channel Home Theatre Speaker Output
A3D, DS3D, Q3D and EAX Compatible
H/W Dolby certified
Software DVD provide
- Dolby Digital (AC-3)
- DTS
MP3 playback 5.1ch support
2.1ch/ 4.1ch/ 5.1ch sound track
Remote Control support
- WinDVD full function
- MicrosoftR PowerPoint presentation support)
Yamaha XG Professional Soft Synthesizer included
Compatibility: Windows 95/98/NT4.0/2000

.Fortemedia FM801-AU Sound Chip
S/N: 95 dB
Wavetable Synthesizer: Hardware FM Synthesizer for Adlib and General MIDI compatibility
Bus Interface: PCI Bus master compliant with PCI v2.2
Built in power amplifier
DDMA. Serial IRQ and Proprietary legacy support
Audio Converters: 18-bit Audio CODEC support
Sampling Rates: up to 48 KHz
Compatible with all standard Windows games and most DOS games
Audio Inputs/Outputs: Microphone input, Line input, Line output, Aux input on internal header, CD input on internal header, 1 G9 speaker output
-S/PDIF optical input/output (Optional)
MIDI Interface: Hardware-based MPU-401 MIDI UART-compatible interface through joystick connector.
.Joystick Interface: provide standard analog/digital joystick support

IR Remote Control Kit

This remote control kit not only controls the WinDVD player but it also can be used within MicrosoftR PowerPoint presentation software.

this is available from www.dabs.com as quicklinx code XV9WS
or www.scan.co.uk (Abit AU10-R 6Ch Sound with DTS)

27-09-2001, 14:05	#1
micksea241 Posts: n/a	What software to use to play my DVDs' I have PowerDVD v3.0 by Cyberlink and I also have MGI's Softdvd v6.0. I was wondering which one would you consider using.

27-09-2001, 14:44	#2
MarkBeer Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 538	There has already been a topic about this in this forum. It was mostly agreed that PowerDVD is the best PC DVD player of all. As for the MGI SoftDVD, well before today I have never even heard of it, although according to it's web-site it's does look pretty good with a lot of European awards. How is the user ability of the program? Also, is the picture quality the same as PowerDVD?

27-09-2001, 22:09	#3
Jay-Dee Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Manchester Posts: 492	power dvd is the most widely supported program for all types of sound and video cards intervideo windvd slightly wins in the image quality stakes

28-09-2001, 19:25	#4
squidgy Forum Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: South West London Posts: 494	The most frustrating thing about using your PC to play DVD's, I find, is the lack of a remote control! However, you can get infra-red remote controls, but they're a bit on the pricey side. I find that the best thing to do is to make do with a gamepad. I use the Microsoft Sidewinder GamePad Pro for this purpose, and I've made a scheme to control PowerDVD 2.66 with it, and I'm fairly pleased with it. So, what I would wonder about with any software DVD player is, how easy is it to make remote control or gamepad schemes for it? I've made a gamepad scheme to do the simple play, stop, pause, skip chapters, volume up and down, step frame and menu navigation features, and, with a bit of patience, the same scheme can also be used to manage bookmarks and create MP3 playlists. It also uses MouseKeys keystrokes to move the mouse pointer into the corner of the screen, out of the way, and to bring up the main menu. (I'll happily email the scheme file I've made to anyone who wants it, with instructions on how to use it, but you should be able to bang your own together in about an hour anyway.) However, some of PowerDVD's features can only be accessed by clicking icons on the console window (for example, the navigational slider), and programming a gamepad scheme to do this is somewhat fiddly. Especially if this window gets moved around the screen. Is there any DVD player software which is better than this, or any where they've actually thought about gamepads and remote control applications at all? Thanks.

28-09-2001, 22:37	#5
Jay-Dee Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Manchester Posts: 492	the motherboard manufacturere abit have made a soundcard that comes with a remote control and a special version dvd software which is compatible with the remote the good thing is that its only about £35

29-09-2001, 01:59	#6
squidgy Forum Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: South West London Posts: 494	Now ya tell me! Do you know where I can find out more about this? Thanks.

30-09-2001, 00:40	#7
Jay-Dee Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Manchester Posts: 492	Quote: ABIT's innovative AU10 sound card lets you experience complete 5.1 channel surround sound. This PCI card is an essential part of your PC home theater system whether you are listening to music CDs, watching DVD movies, playing PC games, or listening to MP3 files. The AU10 comes bundled with a G9 cable for audio connections and an infrared receiver paired with a remote control. Home users can lay back and watch their favorite movie from a more comfortable distance. ABIT's AU10 also comes bundled with InterVideo's WinDVD and WinRip software. The WinDVD player includes full Dolby Digital/DTS decoding while WinRip provides you with a complete 5.1 channel audio playback and recording environment. Including MP3, enhanced MP3, WAVE, MIDI, and Audio CD. Even though the AU10 is designed to work with ABIT Home Theater, it is compatible with the 5.1 channel Home Theater speaker systems of most manufacturers. The AU10 supports both Dolby Digital and DTS. Specifications: Support 5.1 channel Home Theatre Speaker Output A3D, DS3D, Q3D and EAX Compatible H/W Dolby certified Software DVD provide - Dolby Digital (AC-3) - DTS MP3 playback 5.1ch support 2.1ch/ 4.1ch/ 5.1ch sound track Remote Control support - WinDVD full function - MicrosoftR PowerPoint presentation support) Yamaha XG Professional Soft Synthesizer included Compatibility: Windows 95/98/NT4.0/2000 .Fortemedia FM801-AU Sound Chip S/N: 95 dB Wavetable Synthesizer: Hardware FM Synthesizer for Adlib and General MIDI compatibility Bus Interface: PCI Bus master compliant with PCI v2.2 Built in power amplifier DDMA. Serial IRQ and Proprietary legacy support Audio Converters: 18-bit Audio CODEC support Sampling Rates: up to 48 KHz Compatible with all standard Windows games and most DOS games Audio Inputs/Outputs: Microphone input, Line input, Line output, Aux input on internal header, CD input on internal header, 1 G9 speaker output -S/PDIF optical input/output (Optional) MIDI Interface: Hardware-based MPU-401 MIDI UART-compatible interface through joystick connector. .Joystick Interface: provide standard analog/digital joystick support IR Remote Control Kit This remote control kit not only controls the WinDVD player but it also can be used within MicrosoftR PowerPoint presentation software. this is available from www.dabs.com as quicklinx code XV9WS or www.scan.co.uk (Abit AU10-R 6Ch Sound with DTS)

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What software to use to play my DVDs'