[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Windows 8 Dumps Default DVD Playback here

[sonnystarks]

Another reason NOT to "upgrade."

[linuxpenguin]

Bad idea. Sure, to many people it won't matter - but to anyone who built a Media Center PC it'll matter and to the guy who has to play DVDs as part of his job (ie, training courses and such) it'll matter, especially if they don't know and accidentally buy the wrong one.

[sickpup]

Removing DVD playback is stupid. Removing Media Center is smart. Media Center was terrible and conflicted with Media Player. Media player needs a massive upgrade to compete with third party organizers and players anyway.

[MarshaGee]

I understand the Media Center problem.

And I also watch lots of streaming (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon) on large screen TV.

What's totally being lost and no one is commenting about it is how to watch video (movies) where internet access is not available - airplanes play a large part of my business life and watching DVD's is very important. The combo of ultrabooks with no DVD and Win 8 with no player is just plain awful.

It seems my iPad is the only device where I can download a movie from iTunes and watch it on a plane trip - wow!

[chances14]

it's just a money grab. not something i would be doing to try to get people to move over to windows 8 when they are already hating the new tablet designed OS for their pc

[catagious]

So how does Micro$oft plan on allowing DVD-based programs to run? Antivirus software are usually on DVD disks, many games are on DVDs, back-ups are sometimes burned to DVDs, Windows disks are on DVDs. Maybe it's time to look at Linux as a true OS.

[compnovo]

catagious, on 04 May 2012 - 09:46 AM, said:

So how does Micro$oft plan on allowing DVD-based programs to run? Antivirus software are usually on DVD disks, many games are on DVDs, back-ups are sometimes burned to DVDs, Windows disks are on DVDs. Maybe it's time to look at Linux as a true OS.

My understanding is that MS is dropping support for the licensed (and spendy) DVD codecs that are required for the playback of entertainment movies. Games and utilities like you're describing won't be affected.
I can't remember if Vista had the codecs, but I know that 3rd party software was required for WinXP if you wanted to watch DVD movies.

[wth1954]

It's funny how some things get called by some people as bloatware and then when some bloatware is dumped all of a sudden we need it. I never watch a DVD on my PC so I could care less about it. Of course the real issue is how much it costs if you figure you do need it.

[techie4fun]

Windows 8 is designed for tablet pcs, so you loose most the functionality of a PC, including the loss of CD/DVD readers. What's all the fuss about.

[lawsonka]

Oh how greedy we are, Microsoft. Microsoft's studies are flawed! While it is true that DVD Movies are changing that doesn't mean that people don't have other uses of DVD video. But just wait for the usage charges to kick in on your ISP connection....

[TheTess]

Thats just pathetic Microsoft!

Doing this will make more people pirate the pricey version that has DVD Playback included. WTG and Congrats MS!

Happy with my Win 7 & and will never upgrade it now.

[ronin7752]

More Joy from M$!! Is anyone *really* surprised!?

[wyorkiii]

Well Microsoft you did it again out to screw everybody. WHAT THE H__L DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING??? Look people are reticent enough about upgrading now it's a no brainer. Nobody in their right mind would buy it. I mean what other things that you take for granted are you going to pay extra for. Heck I'd pay extra to get rid of Internet Explorer but nooooo we have to put up with that piece of spy ware.

[JimH443]

I don't use Microsoft software to play anything at all. I use Winamp to play MP3's, and VLC for everything else.

Not that I was even remotely considering installing Win 8, but the lack of a DVD player won't be one of the deciding factors.

[SteveLarson]

I agree with the stupidity of removing DVD playback. I also use DVDs at work and it will just add one more step to my life.

[blottobot]

2.4 billion views = approaching zero. Gotta love PCWorld's math. I for one will keep renting DVDs until streaming offers more choices for "good" content. For now, I have better selection with DVDs. Though I rarely watch them on my PC anymore.

I can see now why the move to fewer versions of Windows 8. You pay for the added features as you go. If this means lower costs for the OS itself, great. But it probably doesn't. I keep feeling worse as this OS gets closer to launch. When are they going to reveal the pricing for this OS (retail, upgrade, OEM)?

[FishamanP]

Why do you differentiate Blu-Ray from DVD in regards to VLC? VLC can play both without problem.

I would also recommend the excellent XMBC for a Media Center replacement, even if Media Center is already installed.

[waldojim]

sickpup, on 04 May 2012 - 08:54 AM, said:

Removing DVD playback is stupid. Removing Media Center is smart. Media Center was terrible and conflicted with Media Player. Media player needs a massive upgrade to compete with third party organizers and players anyway.

Seeing as I USE media center, and have found ZERO viable replacements, I wholeheartedly disagree. WMC in Windows 8 preview has been the best I have ever used. Should MS dump media center, they dump my entire reason for buying Windows 8.

[retnavyspook]

Well they just gave me another reason to not upgrade. Downloaded and tried out the preview. Hate the new interface. I'm sticking with Win 7