Dumb DVD Q's

[Albm&ctd]

Thought ... I'd might just get a DVD player for the computer as they
have dropped to about $80.
(1) What brand would you suggest?
(2) Is packaged software included and if so is it adequate?
(3) If not what software should I use?
(4) Should I use Linux or Windoze?
(180b) Is it safe to go outside or are 'they' going to get me?

Al

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[Justin Thyme]

"Albm&ctd" <alb_mandctdNOWMD@connexus.net.au> wrote in message
news:3fb466df.4391832@news.connexus.net.au...

Thought ... I'd might just get a DVD player for the computer as they
have dropped to about $80.
(1) What brand would you suggest?
Liteon are cheap and seem to be the most prevalent DVD players in stores.

from what i've heard they are ok. It may not be relevant to you, but the
only drawback is that AFAIK there isn't a region free patch for them. I
have a 3 year old pioneer that has always worked well. I was able to
download a region free firmware for it. I don't see pioneer's in shops very
often now, and when I do see them they are normally fairly high in price.
For what I paid for my pioneer, I could get a DVD burner now - amazing how
the market progresses.

(2) Is packaged software included and if so is it adequate?
The most common software that drives include is Cyberlink Power DVD or

Medimatics WinDVD. I have seen some drives with other more obscure software,
or sometimes they will have a customised version of one of the above - eg
MSI drives include a program called "MSIDVD" which is a tarted up version of
WinDVD. I personally think the powerdvd product gives better results.

(3) If not what software should I use?
Download a little proggy off the net called DVD-Genie - this isn't DVD

playback software, but is a utility that enhances popular DVD software, and
adds features such as region free, and allows a few tweaks of things like
video acceleration, sound mode etc. Region free ain't gonna be relevant to
you if you only have australian DVDs - it's very relevant to me as I have a
bunch of yank discs that I bought before DVD's became common in Aus.

(4) Should I use Linux or Windoze?
Last time I checked DVD playback on Linux (about a year ago) the only

software I could find was buggy, slow, and basically crap. I'm sure they
have improved it a lot since then.

(180b) Is it safe to go outside or are 'they' going to get me?
Depends who "they" are. Lately everytime I go outside, hordes of flies get

me.

Al

2003 insult page awaits your contribution
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[amstereo - matt2]

lite-on are prevailing as 'the optical drive' these days, i like there
products. they always come with powerdvd - sony rebadge lite-on drives - as
does iomega (who use to use panasinic drives (aka diamond / acer)
"Albm&ctd" <alb_mandctdNOWMD@connexus.net.au> wrote in message
news:3fb466df.4391832@news.connexus.net.au...

Thought ... I'd might just get a DVD player for the computer as they
have dropped to about $80.
(1) What brand would you suggest?
(2) Is packaged software included and if so is it adequate?
(3) If not what software should I use?
(4) Should I use Linux or Windoze?
(180b) Is it safe to go outside or are 'they' going to get me?

Al

2003 insult page awaits your contribution
http://kwakakid.cjb.net/insult.html

 

[Albm&ctd]

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 07:32:24 GMT, "Justin Thyme"
<pleasedontspamme@nowhere.com> wrote:

(180b) Is it safe to go outside or are 'they' going to get me?
Depends who "they" are. Lately everytime I go outside, hordes of flies get
me.

Oh you haven't heard about the terrorists then. Could be terrorist
flies. Can't be too careful. I put a teatowel on our new washing
machine to sit my cleaned brew bottles on and you would not believe
how menacing it looked. It's taken to wearing teatowels regularly now.
Will it blow up my fridge? Our way of life would be ruined....hot beer
for me and hot wine and cider for the missus. It doesn't bear thinking
about. All this is happening inside so I'm too afraid to go outside,
as you can imagine.

Al

2003 insult page awaits your contribution
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