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Gradually, WMC faded into oblivion and Microsoft discontinued the product after the release of Windows 10. However, due to licensing issues with the MPEG2 codec, Microsoft had to remove built-in DVD playback support from Windows Media Center. It could play media files directly from the DVD without any codec or incompatibility issues. Windows Media Center was a popular media application that had support for several media formats.
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It also supports a plethora of file formats and is easy to use. GOM is another very popular media player that can play DVDs on Windows 8. VLC will also play encrypted Blu-ray discs, but that’s beyond the scope of this story. One of the reasons for its popularity is its support for a wide variety of audio and video file formats including all of your DVDs and unencrypted Blu-ray discs. 1 for video players at CNET's and has been downloaded over 47 million times. VLC has been around for over a decade and is one of the most popular media players available - free or otherwise. You won't, however, be able to play Blu-ray discs - for that, you'll need a third-party player. You also gain the ability to watch and record broadcast TV, if you so wish. Once you have Media Center installed, you will be able to play DVDs - but only in Media Center, not Media Player. If you like Windows Media Center or prefer watching DVDs with Windows Media Player, Windows 8 Pro users can add Windows Media Center as an add-on for $9.99 It's the omission of Windows Media Center that removed Windows 8's ability to natively play DVD video. Here are a few popular options for playing DVDs and Blu-rays on your Windows 8 PC: Install Windows 8 Media Center Pack In fact, there are quite a few programs available that are free. That doesn't mean you have to go out and spend a lot of money to get DVD or Blu-ray video playback. For Windows 8, with streaming services taking hold and optical drives dying out, Microsoft basically decided that it wasn't worth paying for the codecs. This cost is passed on to the consumer, whether you play DVDs or not. Microsoft doesn't give the exact figure for a Dolby Digital license, but it's probably in the same ballpark. For every copy of Windows 7 sold, Microsoft has to pay MPEG-LA (a patent-holding consortium) $2. There is a very simple reason for this: The codecs required to play DVDs and Blu-rays - primarily MPEG-2/4 for video and Dolby Digital for audio - cost money. If you like watching DVDs or Blu-rays on your PC, you'll be disappointed. Microsoft have made the decision to remove DVD playback in Windows 8, and forego the inclusion of Blu-ray playback.