I'm a little confused about this whole codec and decoder issue. I just want to be able to watch DVD's on my Windows Media Player 11. But I have Vista Basic x64 and it supposedly does not come with an MPEG-2 decoder.

So I did some Google searching and was to Elecard Software. But I couldn't see an MPEG-2 decoder that works with Vista x64. Unless the one listed, that says it works on XP, also works on Vista. I did find a free Cyberlink MPEG-2 decoder from Softpedia.com: Download Stinky's MPEG-2 Codec 1.2.0.79 - Stinky's MPEG-2 Codec will allow you to open MPEG-2 files in TMPGEnc and in MS Media Player, plus a host of other programs - Softpedia

The decoder did work and I was able to play my DVD but I had no sound. After that, I did a little research and found that I might need something called an AC3 Filter, which I understand is needed to play sound on certain DVD's and players. Would you concur with that?

Also I have heard that I should stay away from those all-in-one codec packages, as they can cause more trouble than they're worth. I would rather do that too, if I can, I've seen the breakdown of codecs that get installed, and I just don't think that I need or want them all, gunking things up.

Any other help would be surely appreciated.
Jan LaFata

you need a mpeg 2 decoder...in google type mpeg 2 decoder and click on the site called the softwarepatch,it will say download the windows media player mpeg2 and dvd video decoder utility

Hi Isabelle..Thanks for replying. I've kind of been down his route before. The one you mentioned from Software Patch is actually for WMP 10, and I have WMP 11. I actually have an MPEG-2 decoder from Elecard (it's a paid version), but I'm waiting to hear from them to find out if it will work on Vista x64.

I also downloaded a free Cineplayer MPEG-2 decoder from Softpedia:
Download Stinky's MPEG-2 Codec 1.2.0.79 - Stinky's MPEG-2 Codec will allow you to open MPEG-2 files in TMPGEnc and in MS Media Player, plus a host of other programs - Softpedia, but it's the same thing there, the file is dated from 2003, so I don't know if it will work on Vista x64.

I did download another one from Softpedia, I think it's actually the same one and tested it. After I installed it, I could play DVD's but I couldn't get any sound! After that, I did a little research and discovered I may need something called an AC3 Filter: AC3Filter

There's also MPEG-2 decoders that you can buy from a Microsoft add-on page that I saw but now can't find! But I found out hat if you put in a DVD into your player and open it up in WMP, you will get a messsge that WMP cannot play this file and it will list a link where you can buy those codecs I mentioned.

But I'm not going to go that route unless I can help it. I know there had to be a free way to do this somehow. One of these days, I'll get all of this sorted out.

type 'windows media player forum' in google,i would think they will be able to help you