Dvd Laufwerk Nicht Erkannt Windows 10

Physical discs took another stride toward extinction late Thursday afterward Microsoft announced that DVD playback will non be available past default on Windows 8. The new move adds another wrinkle to Microsoft's previous disclosure that Windows Media Eye, the company'southward PC-based entertainment hub software, would not be included in default configurations of Windows 8. Windows Media Player will keep to be offered in all versions of Windows viii, but without DVD playback capability.

Users looking to play discs on a Windows 8 machine will either have to pay Microsoft by upgrading their re-create of Windows viii to include Windows Media Middle, find a third-party alternative, or rely on device manufacturers to parcel disc playback software with new devices.

Microsoft did not say how much Windows 8'south DVD playback upgrade would cost other than to say it would be "in line with marginal costs." In other words, the pricing shouldn't exist that expensive, but we won't know for certain until Windows 8 ships later in 2012.

Upgrading Your PC to Play DVDs

To get Media Heart in Windows eight you lot will purchase the software using the new upgrade path chosen "Add together Features to Windows eight" control panel, previously known as "Windows Anytime Upgrade." Bones Windows viii users can purchase a feature chosen the "Windows 8 Pro Pack" that will convert your re-create of Windows into Windows 8 Pro with Media Eye. Windows eight Pro users will also have to pony upwardly for DVD playback by purchasing the "Windows viii Media Eye Pack." For a complete characteristic breakdown encounter PCWorld's Windows 8 version comparison.

Every bit a result of dumping Media Center past default, out of the box versions of Windows eight volition likewise lose Goggle box tuner support and DVD Video Object (VOB) file playback. Just, over again, you can purchase an upgrade to get these capabilities back.

Not a Bargain Breaker

Microsoft's determination shouldn't touch yous if you're buying a new PC with an optical drive, every bit the device manufacturer should include playback software as role of your buy. If y'all're upgrading a machine from Windows 7 to Windows 8 it's not clear if you lot would lose your disc playback capabilities or if Microsoft'due south upgrade procedure would preserve this software.

Nevertheless, if you need to play a DVD on your Windows viii car you lot can e'er install complimentary tertiary-party options such every bit the open up source video VLC media histrion. The movement doesn't really affect Blu-ray fans since you already had to pay to watch Blu-ray discs on your PC anyhow, unless your figurer came bundled with Blu-ray playback software.

Microsoft said function of the reason for dumping DVD playback by default were due to concerns from manufacturing partners over the costs associated with media decoder licensing. But it'southward unclear whether those codec savings will be passed on to consumers or would even make a noticeable paring in the price of a single device in the first identify.

Moving Online

Microsoft's DVD dump also shows the significant alter in the mode most users are consuming video in 2012. The visitor said its own research shows the vast majority of Windows users are turning to online sources such as Hulu, YouTube, and Netflix to spotter video, every bit opposed to popping a disc into their PCs. Microsoft as well pointed to a recent study by market research firm IHS that predicts online video consumption in the U.S. will grow past 135 per centum in 2012 compared to 2011. Online video consumption volition hit 3.4 billion views in the U.S., while physical media viewing sessions will lag behind at two.4 billion in 2012, according to IHS.

There are other indications that online video is becoming more than popular. A recent report by metrics firm comScore establish that U.S. Internet users in March watched an average of 21.vii hours of online video, an increase of nearly 7 hours compared to online video consumption the year previous.

Connect with Ian Paul (@ianpaul) on Twitter and Google+, and with Today@PCWorld on Twitter for the latest tech news and analysis.