DVD decoders??

Having bought the kids laptops with cd and dvd writers, I was surprised
to find they don't include software for playing dvd videos (films they
got for Christmas etc). I am told I need to download a dvd decoder to
enable Windows Media, for instance, to play films. The laptops have
Windows XP installed.

I've tried searching for free (of course!) decoders, but just got
confused by such words as codecs and codecs (advanced).

Ali...

I can't help with where to find them, but I can explain that codec is just a
contraction of coder-decoder - what you are looking for.

Can resident techies gently point me in the right direction where a
simpleton might download and install a (free!) decoder and so become a
Superdad again?

John the R-T...

As BoyPete say, I'm surprised that PowerDVD wasn't supplied.
or a direct link http://sourceforge.net/projects/xine/

Thanks in anticipation

GreySwan...

Windows media player 10 will play video discs
or Power DVD is only $35 to download with a free trial period available

BoyPete...

Very unusual not to be supplied. The 'usual' prog given away with a lot of
laptops is Power DVD.
You could have a look at this...........
No idea if it's any good though.
HTH :)

BoyPete...

Ahh, maybe not...............I think it's only in German!! lol