Free Windows 8 Media Center add-on till January 31st (DVD, Office, installed)

[NHDave]

Media Center isn't included with Win 8, it'll be a pay add-on. You can get it for free until Jan 31 2013.
Add features - Microsoft Windows

[EscapeCalifornia]

Will that add the ability to play a DVD? I can't believe they removed that from Win8. Oh wait, yes I can.

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Will that add the ability to play a DVD? I can't believe they removed that from Win8. Oh wait, yes I can.

I can only assume so, but I've been wrong before

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Will that add the ability to play a DVD? I can't believe they removed that from Win8. Oh wait, yes I can.

Wait! What?

I assume programs like VLC and codecs can be installed like on previous versions of Windows. Am I wrong?

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by dkf747

Wait! What?

I assume programs like VLC and codecs can be installed like on previous versions of Windows. Am I wrong?

No you're not, Windows 8 just has no native DVD capabilities, VLC or any compatible 3rd party software should work fine. Media Center adds DVD playback, but only within the Media Center app itself, it doesn't add support to Media Player.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by dkf747

Wait! What?

I assume programs like VLC and codecs can be installed like on previous versions of Windows. Am I wrong?

Yeah there's always VLC or whatever DVD player OEMs used to install before Win7 included DVD playback. Seriously, that's something that should just be part of the OS, like opening a .zip, .txt, or .pdf file. It was nice with Win7 because I knew anyone could easily play a DVD without dealing with 3rd party software. Oh, well, yet another way Win8 is a step backwards.

[PostSecularist]

I got the WMC add on, but it really makes no difference since, I never really use DVD playback a lot, if at all.

[Peregrine]

I don't play DVD's much either but it is mind boggling that it was removed?!? Very unlike MS that tries to do everything.

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

I don't play DVD's much either but it is mind boggling that it was removed?!? Very unlike MS that tries to do everything.

Considering that XP and Vista didn't have DVD ability at all without 3rd party apps, it's not something that would turn me away from 8, if I was considering going to it that is. Win 7 was the first (and apparently the last) with native DVD capability.

[NHDave]

I just noticed that Office 2010 Starter isn't compatible with Windows 8 either, so if you're using that you either have to stay with Win7 or below or lose it when you upgrade to Win8.