Windows 8 Dumps Default DVD Playback - stewartfralke

Physical discs took another mistreat toward experimental extinction former Thursday after Microsoft announced that Videodisc playback leave non be available by default on Windows 8. The new move adds another cris to Microsoft's previous disclosure that Windows Media Center, the company's PC-based amusement hub software package, would not be included in default configurations of Windows 8. Windows Media Player testament continue to represent offered in whol versions of Windows 8, but without DVD playback capability.

Users looking to flirt discs on a Windows 8 auto will either have to give Microsoft by upgrading their copy of Windows 8 to let in Windows Media Nerve centre, find a third-party alternative, or rely on device manufacturers to sheaf phonograph record playback software program with new devices.

Microsoft did non say how more than Windows 8's DVD playback advance would cost new than to say it would be "in agate line with marginal costs." In other words, the pricing shouldn't be that pricey, but we won't know for sure until Windows 8 ships later in 2012.

Upgrading Your Microcomputer to Play DVDs

To get Media Center in Windows 8 you will buy out the package using the new promote way called "Add Features to Windows 8" control panel, previously titled "Windows Anytime Upgrade." Basic Windows 8 users can leverage a feature called the "Windows 8 Pro Pack" that will convert your copy of Windows into Windows 8 Pro with Media Revolve around. Windows 8 Pro users will also have to pony up for DVD playback by purchasing the "Windows 8 Media Center Tamp." For a complete feature breakdown see PCWorld's Windows 8 version comparing.

As a result of dumping Media Center by default, tabu of the box versions of Windows 8 bequeath also fall behind TV tuner support and DVD Video Targe (VOB) file playback. But, over again, you can purchase an ascent to undergo these capabilities back.

Not a Deal Breakers

Microsoft's decision shouldn't dissemble you if you're purchasing a new PC with an optical drive, as the gimmick maker should include playback software package as portion of your purchase. If you're upgrading a auto from Windows 7 to Windows 8 it's not clear if you would lose your disc playback capabilities operating room if Microsoft's upgrade process would preserve this software.

Nevertheless, if you need to play a DVD on your Windows 8 political machine you stern always install free third-party options much as the give source video VLC media player. The move doesn't really affect Blu-ray fans since you already had to pay to vigil Blu-re discs on your PC anyway, unless your estimator came bundled with Blu-ray playback package.

Microsoft aforementioned part of the reason for dumping Videodisk playback aside default were due to concerns from manufacturing partners over the costs associated with media decoder licensing. But information technology's bewildering whether those codec savings will be passed on to consumers or would flatbottomed make a noticeable dent in the price of a single device in the first locate.

Moving Online

Microsoft's Videodisk dump also shows the profound change in the way most users are consuming video in 2012. The company aforesaid its own research shows the immense majority of Windows users are turning to online sources such as Hulu, YouTube, and Netflix to watch video, as conflicting to popping a disc into their PCs. Microsoft also pointed to a recent study by marketing research firm IHS that predicts online video white plague in the U.S. will acquire by 135 per centum in 2012 compared to 2011. Online TV consumption will hit 3.4 billion views in the U.S., while physical media viewing sessions volition lag behind at 2.4 billion in 2012, according to IHS.

There are other indications that online video is becoming more popular. A recent report by metrics firm comScore found that U.S. Internet users in March watched an average of 21.7 hours of online video, an increase of nearly 7 hours compared to online video uptake the year previous.

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