My opinion on software DVD Player as been excellent especially on WinDVD. There is quite a bit of selection for Software DVD Player, but WinDVD is probably the best and the fastest one available now.

With the latest version, you can get AC3 sound with your SBLive providing you also have the latest Liveware 2.0 for your Live card.

The biggest problem I see with Software DVD Player is you need a very fast computer. So far I'm running on a P2-450MHz and there is no pause at all on the movies that I have seen except Matrix. I have not tried to see it the second time, so I can't make sure if it's the player or the disc. The picture quality of a software decoder is nothing but excellent.

Now it's CL DVD. First off, the bundle comes with DXR2/DXR3 decoder board and I have a DXR2 board. If you're running resolution at 1024x765 then you will get a good video quality when watching movies. Anything higher than that, it's not good. Also, the refresh rate of your monitor must not exceed 60Hz. The best thing about the bundle is you don't need a fast computer to play DVD movies and you get AC3 support right out of the package (don't need a sound card with Digital OUT). One thing I like about this bundle is the VIDEO OUT quality is excellent on TV, BUT NOT on the monitor.

DXR3 is a better product as far as I'm told, but it lacks the support of simultaneous monitor/video out display. In my setup, this is a problem.

I'm running WinDVD if I'm watching on the 21" Monitor. I'll use DXR2 if I'm watching in the family room or using video headset.

Any good Software DVD Player you can recommend?

P.S. If you want to use Pronto to control Software DVD Player (with the help of IR computer keyboard), hmm, I don't think so. At least I haven't found any shortcut equivalent to the STOP, PLAY, PAUSE, etc.

Simon

Simon -

Ok, I'm back. Thanks for moving the conversation to another thread.

Like anything else in the IT world, there are design tradeoffs one needs to make. Software DVD may eliminate the need (cost & IRQ/slot) for an MPEG decoder, but it can severely impact your system performance.

I've been very pleased with the DXR3 board, and ironically, I find the VGA out to be better than the S-Video out... but that will bear further experimentation, too, now that you raise the question. For all I know, the S-video input on my projector might be substandard, or defective, and it's not the board at all.

Where did you get the WinDVD software? Is it freeware? Will any PC software-based work? I tried using Win98's Media player to view some DVD files, with no success.

In the final analysis, like any other electronic system - whether audio or video - the whole is only as good as the sum of the parts. If there's a weak link in the chain, performance will suffer.

Point me in the direction of WinDVD. I'd like to experiment.

Best regards,
Rovert.

Rovert,

I installed 2nd Edition of Win98 and tried MS Media Player, it's crap. It was very choppy and the colours just weren't as good as WinDVD.

I also heard of the Video Out on DXR3 isn't as good as DXR2. Guess what, you might need to put both cards inside a computer:)

Simon

Simon -

Disagree wholeheartedly on the video capabilities of the DXR3. In my opinion, it's much superior in terms of image, to the DXR2, but that's where VGA output is concerned. Since I never ran S-video out from the DXR2, I can't say for sure either way. It most definitely WOULD be fun to experiment with the two side-by-side, though.

Where are you located? Are you in the NY Metro area? If so, maybe we can have an evaluation session, where we compare both systems, to get some concrete answers.

In the meantime, I guess it's all up to guesswork.

Keep in touch,
Rovert

Rovert,

Doh!!! I live in Burlington Ontario Canada.

When I said Video Out, I was referring to Composite/S-Video Output. That's what I have heard from Creative Labs DVD Newsgroup and it's one thing they complained about DXR3 other than compatibilities. Hopefully the bugs with DXR3 are out by now.

Did you have a lot of problems running DXR3 when you first got it?

I might get the decoder board but the whole kit
looks good too since it has a 6X DVD-ROM. I'm also going to see the new Sony 200-DVD Changer and then I will decide what to get. Hmm, consumer will never win!


Simon

Simon -

Truthfully, I can't say for sure how the DXR3's S-video out compares, since I haven't had a chance to do a side-by-side using the same monitor and switching between the DXR and, say, a regular set top DVD player. The S-video out from the DXR may be the same, worse, or better, for all I know.

I can tell you THIS much for sure... compared to XGA out, the DXR's S-video out positively blows. No comparison to the level of resolution I get from PC video out.

Keep me posted on your decision!

Rovert,

XGA is by far better than any other video sources (SVHS/Compsoite/Component). Your setup is great though since you're using a InFocus Projector and you can blow up the movie on a big screen.


Simon