Article ID: 249334
Article Last Modified on 2/28/2007
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
This article was previously published under Q249334
SUMMARY
Windows 2000 supports DVD video playback as well as the ability to read DVD-ROMs. This article describes support for DVD video playback and covers the following areas:
- Requirements for DVD Video Playback
- Software Decoder Issues in Windows 2000
- DVD Video Questions and Answers
- DVD Region Settings
- General DVD Video Troubleshooting
MORE INFORMATION
Requirements for DVD Video Playback
Windows 2000 requires the following items for DVD video playback:
- DVD-ROM drive: can be an IDE or a SCSI drive.
- DVD decoder - can be either a hardware decoder (physical card in the computer) or a software decoder (usually some type of DVD player tool).
- Video card/video card driver that supports DirectShow and Macrovision copy protection.
- Sound card.
- DVD player tool - Windows 2000 places a shortcut to a basic DVD video player on the Start menu when a supported decoder is detected.
For more information about hardware requirements, refer to the Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). The latest HCL is available on the following Microsoft Web site:
Software Decoder Issues in Windows 2000
There are no software decoders included with Windows 2000. Some software decoders work with Windows 2000 while others may need an update to work properly. There are third-party software decoders that are compatible with Windows 2000. Check with the manufacturer to obtain the latest version of its software decoder.
If your computer is preloaded with DVD video software decoders, contact the manufacturer of the computer or the software for any updates.
Upgrading Decoders from Microsoft Windows 95/98 to Windows 2000
When you upgrade a computer running Windows 95 or Windows 98 to Windows 2000, there can be issues with upgrading DVD solutions. The following list describes some common DVD video solutions:
- Mediamatics DVDExpress software decoder.
The player program remains, DVD playback is functional.
- Zoran SoftDVD software decoder.
The player program remains, DVD playback is not functional. You can playback unencrypted DVDs.
- XingDVD software decoder.
The player program is removed. DVD playback is functional with Windows 2000 DVD player.
- InterVideo WinDVD software decoder.
The player program remains, DVD playback is functional.
- RAVISENT CineMaster software decoder.
This decoder is not compatible with Windows 2000.
- RAVISENT CineMaster LC 3.0 hardware decoder, RAVISENT CineMaster C 1.2 hardware decoder.
This hardware decoder is unaffected by an upgrade.
- Ali DVD decoder hardware decoder.
No drivers are included with Windows 2000; you must obtain drivers from the manufacturer.
Hardware Decoders
Windows 2000 includes drivers for the following hardware decoders:
Ravisent Cinemaster 1.2
Ravisent Cinemaster 3.0
Toshiba Version 1 decoder (Infinias)
Toshiba Version 2 decoder (Tecra 750/780 with Virge Display)
Toshiba Version 3 decoder (Tecra8000/Portege7000, 7010, 7020 with Neomagic display)
Questions and Answers
The following list contains examples of situations you may encounter, and possible solutions/suggestions:
- After you upgrade from Windows 95/98 you are unable to play any DVD movies.
If your DVD-ROM drive included a software decoder, you may need an updated version of the software decoder to playback movies in Windows 2000. In most cases, the player tool for DVD is the manufacturer of the software decoder. Contact the manufacturer for an updated version that works with Windows 2000. You can also contact third-party manufacturers such as Mediamatics or InterVideo to obtain a software decoder solution for Windows 2000. - When you try to play a DVD movie, you may receive the following error message:
This error message can occur because of the following reasons:
- One of the drivers (DVD or VGA) does not fully support the adapter's capabilities, in which case installing an updated driver may help.
- The hardware does not support copy protection. You may be able to work around the problem by unplugging any cables connected to the video outputs on your computer. Otherwise, please contact your system manufacturer.
- The display adapter driver may not properly support copy protection for Windows 2000. Contact the manufacturer of the video card for an updated driver that supports copy protection in Windows 2000. Some video outs on display cards may not support Macrovision copy protection.
- Your video card says it supports DVD but you are unable to play DVD movies.
Many video cards aid in the process of decoding DVDs but that does not mean they fully decode a DVD movie. Obtain a hardware decoder or software decoder that works with Windows 2000 or obtain updated software for the video card. - You want to playback a DVD movie through your USB speakers but the computer does not have a sound card.
Hardware and software decoders usually require a sound card to playback DVD movies. This ability depends on the hardware and software you are using, and may or may not work. - When you try to play a DVD movie, you may receive the following error message: If you receive this error message, you can try to lower the color depth, resolution, and refresh rate of your display driver. This error message can also occur if Microsoft NetMeeting is started or if the NetMeeting icon is on your taskbar. NetMeeting and DVD playback both use the overlay mixer. Only one program at a time can gain access to the overlay mixer. Another possible solution is that the computer is running Windows 2000 Server and Terminal Services is installed. When Terminal Services is installed, you cannot play a DVD because of high bandwidth requirements of video playback over a Terminal Services client connection.
DVD Region Settings
DVD movie titles and DVD-ROM drives both have a region code. Region codes prevent playback of certain DVDs in certain geographical regions. Region codes are part of the DVD specification. The following list shows the DVD regional codes:
1 - U.S. and Canada
2 - Europe and Japan
3 - South East Asia
4 - Latin America and Australia
5 - Russia, rest of Asia and Africa
6 - China
7 - Undefined
8 - Special venues such as airplanes
You can only play a region 1 DVD movie title on a DVD-ROM drive that is set for region 1. If you set a DVD movie title to region 0, you should be able to play the DVD movie on any DVD-ROM drive. Some DVD decoders (hardware or software) are preset for specific regions and cannot be changed by the user. There are currently two types of DVD drives:
- RPC Phase 1: Does not have built-in support for region management. For these drives, Windows maintains the region count information and you can only set the region once.
- RPC Phase 2: Maintains the region change count information in hardware and you can change them up to five times.
When you reach the limit of changes that are allowed, you cannot reset the limit by reinstalling Windows 2000. Contact the manufacturer of your DVD-ROM drive to find out if you can reset the region. Presetting the default region can be done by a DVD-ROM drive manufacturer or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). For more information about how to set the default region and other region issues, refer to the following Microsoft Web site:
To set or change the region for your DVD-ROM drive, use the following steps:
- Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
- On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.
- In the DVD/CD-ROM drives section, select your DVD-ROM drive.
- Right-click the drive, and then click Properties.
- Click the Advanced Settings tab.
The "Current Region" and "New Region" should be displayed, as well how many times you can change the region. A message similar to the following example should be displayed:
General Troubleshooting for DVD Video
- Some software decoders only work with certain display adapters. Contact the manufacturer of the software decoder to see if there are any suggested display adapters that work with the decoder.
- Make sure that Direct Memory Access (DMA) is enabled for the DVD-ROM drive. Some decoders do not work unless DMA is enabled for the drive.
- Some software decoders require an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) card or perform better with AGP cards.
- For many laptops to work properly with DVD video, a BIOS upgrade may be necessary. Check with your manufacturer for the most up-to-date BIOS.
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
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