Playing DVDs in Windows Media Player
Learn how to play DVDs in Windows Media Player and tips for DVD-playback troubleshooting.
Answers refer to Windows Media Player 10, unless otherwise noted.
On This Page
How do I play DVDs in Windows Media Player?
To play DVDs using the Player, you must have a DVD-ROM drive, a computer running the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, and either 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 the DVD Support in Windows XP Web page.
If these conditions are met, you can play DVDs by using Windows Media Player for Windows XP or later. For more information, see the Play CDs and DVDs Web page.
I can't hear any sound when playing DVDs. What do I do?
If you can hear sound when you play a CD, but not when you play a DVD, first make sure that your computer meets the hardware and software requirements for DVD playback described in the previous question. Then, get the latest driver updates available for your computer's DVD-ROM drive by scanning for updates on the Windows Update Web site or by visiting the hardware manufacturer's Web site.
If your DVD-ROM drivers are up-to-date, but you still can't hear sound, see the question, "How do I fix sound device problems?" in the Media Advice archive.
Why can't I see the video when playing DVDs?
If you can hear the audio, but can't see the video in Windows Media Player, first make sure that your computer meets the hardware and software requirements for DVD playback described in the first question.
If video disappears or becomes discolored (for example, it turns purple or green), turn off video overlays by doing the following:
1. | In Windows Media Player, on the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Performance tab. |
2. | Click the Advanced button. |
3. | In the Video Acceleration area, clear the Use overlays check box. |
If the problem continues, try turning off the video mixing renderer (VMR) by clearing the Use video mixing renderer check box, located just above the Use overlays check box.
If you can restore the missing video by doing something like maximizing the Player or putting another window in front of it, there may be a problem with your video card driver. For more information about this issue, see the question, "Why does my video stop or disappear after a few seconds of playing?" in the Media Advice archive.
Why do I get error C00D116D (incompatible DVD decoder) or error C00D116A (can't play DVD video)?
These errors indicate that required DVD-decoder software either isn't installed on your computer or it is installed but is damaged. Also, make sure that the DVD decoder software is compatible with Windows XP by reviewing the DVD Support in Windows XP Web page. If supported software is already installed, reinstalling it may repair any damaged files that might be causing the error. If either of these errors continues to occur, check for updated drivers for the decoder from the decoder manufacturer.
If your DVD-decoder software is supported and your drivers are updated, run the DVD Troubleshooter on your computer to help you isolate the issue. To start the troubleshooter, do the following:
1. | Click Start, and then Run. |
2. | In the Run dialog box, type hcp://help/tshoot/TS_DVD.htm. |
How do I change my DVD region?
DVD movies are encoded for different world regions, and your DVD-ROM drive must be configured for the appropriate region in order to play the DVD.
If you have DVD-decoder software installed on your computer, you can usually change the DVD region setting in the DVD decoder program. Follow the instructions in the program's Help file for changing the DVD region setting.
If you have a software or a hardware DVD decoder installed on your computer, you can use Device Manager to change the DVD region setting in your DVD-ROM configuration:
1. | Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. |
2. | On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager. |
3. | In the list of devices, double-click DVD/CD-ROM drives, right-click the DVD drive for which you want to change region settings, and then click Properties. |
4. | On the DVD Region tab, make the desired changes. |
You must be logged on as an administrator or be a member of the Administrators group in order to change the DVD region.
Note that the DVD region for most DVD-ROMs can only be changed up to five times, and the number of changes still available is located on the DVD Region tab. If the tab shows that you can only change the setting one more time (Changes remaining = 1), you won't be able to play DVDs that use a DVD region that is different from your last selection. If you run out of opportunities to change the setting (Changes remaining = 0), contact your DVD-ROM's manufacturer to reset this value.
How do I capture a screen shot from a DVD?
In Windows Media Player, on the View menu, point to DVD Features, and then click Capture Image.
Note that this feature is only available if video-mixing rendering is turned on, and the DVD decoder and display hardware support video-mixing rendering.
To turn on video-mixing rendering, do the following:
1. | On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Performance tab. |
2. | Click Advanced, and then, in the DVD Video area, select the Use video mixing renderer check box. |
Some display hardware only supports video-mixing rendering if the screen resolution is set to 800 x 600 pixels and the color quality is set to 16-bit. For more information about changing screen resolution and color quality, see Windows Help.
If you don't find the answer to your question in this column, be sure to check the Archive. Media Advice is not an official Microsoft Support channel. If you need immediate help for an urgent problem, we recommend that you visit Microsoft Help and Support.