[tab name=’News’]
Microsoft has announced that users will be unable to play DVDs with the standard version of its forthcoming Windows 8 operating system.
The surprise move has been made as Microsoft feels few people still use their laptops and desktop PCs to watch DVDs (err, hello?). Windows 8 will still feature a video player which will play digital files in the following formats: H.264, VC-1, MP4, AAC, WMA, MP3, PCM and Dolby Digital Plus codecs.
It’s not the end of DVD watching on your computer however, as you’ll be able to purchase or download third party video playback software to do the job. Alternatively Microsoft will be offering Windows Media Center as a purchasable add-on for Windows 8, in the form of Windows 8 Media Center Pack or the Windows Pro Pack. These will give you the ability to play DVDs straight off the disc.
The same goes for watching Live TV, which Microsoft also says is in decline. While it appreciates this is an important feature for many, the royalty payments for licensing the ‘specialised set of decoders’ required for live TV and DVD playback are apparently too costly, hence the cut.
Microsoft cites a “sharp decline” in the number of users playing DVDs on their Windows computers on its blog, where it announced the news.
“With these decoders built into most Windows 7 editions, the industry has faced those costs broadly, regardless of whether or not a given device includes an optical drive or TV tuner.
Our partners have shared clear concerns over the costs associated with codec licensing for traditional media playback, especially as Windows 8 enables an unprecedented variety of form factors. Windows has addressed these concerns in the past by limiting availability of these experiences to specialized “media” or “premium” editions.”
While this news will come as a blow to many when buying a new Windows 8 PC, it will hopefully result in cheaper products. Hopefully Microsoft will also be able to make the Windows 8 Media Center and Windows Pro Packs affordable for those who still want to play DVDs and watch live TV on their computers.
Will this news put you off buying a Windows 8 PC, or are you already in the digital era when it comes to watching movies and video?
Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.
Via: blogs.msdn.com
[/tab]
[end_tabset]