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Play CDs and DVDs

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Playing CDs and DVDs FAQ

Using codecs FAQ

October 2006

You can use Windows Media Player 11 to listen to CDs and play DVDs on your computer. You can play audio CDs or data CDs that contain music files (also known as media CDs) and video CDs (VCDs). VCDs are similar to DVDs, although the video quality is not as high.

Note To play DVDs using the Player, you must have a DVD drive and a software or hardware DVD decoder installed on your computer. By default, Windows does not include a DVD decoder. For more information about DVD decoders, see DVD Decoder Plug-ins.

To play a CD

Insert the CD you want to play into the drive.
(Optional) If the CD doesn't start playing or if you want to select a disc that is already inserted, click the arrow below the Now Playing tab, and then click the drive that contains the disc, as shown in the following screen shot.
Note To eject a disc, right-click on the disc in the Navigation pane, and then click Eject.

To skip songs when playing a CD

To skip a song, click the Next button while the song is playing.
The song will be skipped. If repeat play is turned on, the song will not play again during that playback session.
If you accidentally skip a song you'd like to hear, double-click the song in the playlist. It will be played immediately and won't be skipped anymore.

To play a DVD or VCD

Insert the DVD or VCD you want to play into the drive.
(Optional) To skip to a specific point, click the Now Playing tab, and then in the List pane, click a DVD title, DVD chapter name, or VCD segment.
Note To eject a disc, right-click on the disc in the Navigation pane, and then click Eject.

To watch a DVD in full screen mode

While a video is either playing or paused, click the View full screen button or press ALT+ENTER.
When you switch to full screen mode, the Player controls may appear for a short period of time, depending on the capabilities of your video card and the functionality of the video or DVD that you may be viewing. If you are unable to see the playback controls and you have not configured full-screen controls to be off, move your mouse or press any key to make them reappear.
To return the Player to full mode, press ESC.