DVD-ROM

[boby2k]

I have a Hitachi DVD-ROM. If I want to use it to see DVD movies, what additional hardware or software do I need? Can I hook my TV to my video card to see the movie in my TV box?

[b-real]

You can view DVDs two ways. One way is to download a "soft" decoder from the web. One good one is from Xing Technologies. But be warned, in order for you to use a soft decoder, you must have a hefty system (I think atleast a PII 350 with a 8MB video card). The other way is to go out and buy a DVD Decoder card, such as the Creative dxr, and hook that up to your DVD drive. Doing this will lower CPU utilization and will give you the S-Video out so that you can hook it up to your TV.

[g13]

Creative Dxr-2 is pretty crappy in my opinion at least on the monitor. If you go hardware, the Sigma Hollywood card is considered the best. For software decoding, the recognized names are Cinemaster, PowerDVD, WinDVD, Zoran to name a few. I have a link to a good site about DVD decoding but I don't have it now. If you want I'll post it later. There are very cool people in the message board that will be glad to help you out.

[_thE_passEngEr]

Ok hope this link will help you out.
http://www.activewin.com/dvd/reviews/index.shtml