[lufc71]

I've had this 'puter for around 4 years and its always worked fine.

Just recently, I've started getting a strange problem when playing DVD's. The sound is intermittent (2 seconds sound - 2 seconds silence etc), plus no picture. This happens with Windows Media Player or RealPlayer (both of which used to work fine). CD's play correctly on the same drive.

I've tried re-installing the software but this has done nothing.
I figured it must be the drive so I bought another. But no, still the same problem. :(

I then tried to view using DVD Shrink, and yup, the picture is visible. hmmm.

Anybody seen this problme before or have any ideas?

Many thanks.

[Dave Hybrid]

Genuine or copy DVDs.

[lufc71]

Thanks for the question.

Genuine.

Strange huh?

[Dave Hybrid]

Goggle 'ACE Codec Pack' and install that.

Should sort it.

[lufc71]

Thanks for your help.

Tried it, but it doesn't fix it

[Dave Hybrid]

Try running the DVDs using VLC player, it's one of the best media players and plays anything, that will rule out it being a codec/mplayer issue.

Failing that update sound and graphics drivers.

[lufc71]

Hi Dave,

Many thanks, that works

Any other ideas why Windows MP & RealPlayer still don't work? In the meantime, I'll try re-installing RP and give it another go.

[Dave Hybrid]

Sounds like a codec issue, save yourself the headache and just use VLC player, 99% of other people just do that.

[lufc71]

Many thanks Dave. Great advice.

I will definately continue to use it.

[Dave Hybrid]

You're welcome!

How it works is VLC player was made to play everything, dvd, mp3, mp4 etc.

RealPlayer was made for realmedia files and Windows M Player for wmp files, as a result these other players need add on software (codecs) to make other files work and sometimes they just don't play ball.