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DVD playback options for Windows

If you're running an edition of Windows without full DVD playback capability, you might need to install a compatible DVD decoder (also known as an MPEG-2 decoder) or upgrade your edition of Windows before continuing with the following activities:

  • Playing a DVD

  • Playing a recorded TV show

  • Playing video files that were encoded with the MPEG-2 codec (.mpeg, .mpg, and some .avi files)

For Windows 7: If you're running Windows 7 Home Basic or Windows 7 Starter, you can upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium, Ultimate, or Enterprise to add full DVD capability.

For Windows Vista and Windows XP: If you're running Windows Vista Home Basic, Enterprise, or Business, or any edition of Windows XP, see Plug-ins for Windows Media Player to purchase a compatible DVD decoder. For the best multimedia experience on your PC, consider upgrading to Windows 7.

For more information, see Codecs: frequently asked questions.

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