Top 10 DVD Player Software for Windows or Mac

You might be surprised to find out that your new Windows 8 computer or Mac lacks the capability to play your favorite DVD. This is because Microsoft, in its infinite wisdom, decided to omit this feature in some of its operating systems. Although Microsoft might verify the removal of DVD capabilities, features in its operating system, it is true that optical media may suffer the same fate of the VHS tape. Here are five software that can help you get around the lack of native Windows DVD playback with a lot of ease.

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For Windows
For Mac

Top 5 best DVD player software for Windows

• VLC Media Player

Arguably, VLC Media Player is the most accepted free and open source DVD player software for playing DVD on Windows (including Windows 8 of course). VLC is a free multimedia software that is available for download whenever you need it. In order to play DVD with VLC media player you do not need to have any third party software. All you need is to ensure that your computer has a DVD drive that will enable you insert and view your DVD.

How to play DVD with VLC Media player

Insert the DVD disc to your computer's hard drive.
Open VLC and click File > Open Disc.
Open dialog box and choose DVD as the disc type.
Don't select No DVD menus in case your DVD movies has chapters or subtitles.

Click OK in order to save the settings. After your setting is saved wait for some few seconds and your DVD disc will then start to play.

After successfully installing this free DVD player software, it will be added to the context menu especially if you are using Windows 8. This way it enables you to click any video file you would like to play on your computer from the context menu.

• GOM Media Player

Another popular free DVD player software that will come to your rescue is GOM Media Player. It practically plays any media player that VLC media player is capable of playing. When compared to other DVD players, there is no much difference between them since it works similarly to the other software especially VLC media player. However, many would argue that it offers a clearer picture when viewing DVDs. Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that despite having a number of insane features that offers you with perfect play back, GOM is not an open source software. Meaning during installation it tries to install bundled crapware (usually VG or Ask toolbar). Therefore, it is important to uncheck the options during the installation process.

• KMPlayer

Like VLC media player, KMPlayer is a multipurpose open source DVD player software for playing DVDs on Windows based computers. Just like other software, it contains its own internal codecs making it possible to play virtually every media file available including DVDs. It is one of the lightest DVDs players available in the market. Therefore, it takes little space in your computer making it faster and safer than your normal DVD player does. The reason behind this is that internal Codecs are processed inside of KMPlayer.

• PowerDVD

If you are looking for high quality DVD player software, then PowerDVD will work for you. It comes with a playback feature that enables its DVD functionality. PowerDVD is an all round Windows DVD player that is user friendly and easy to configure. It plays virtually any media that you can think of including DVD. It offers you stunning performance and seamless playback of from your PC. PowerDVD’s unique TrueTheater enhancement offers you sharper detail. What makes PowerDVD stand out among the rest is that it comes with playback of high-def disks (with a compatible drive) in addition the much loved surround sound not to mention power saving modes for your laptop thus ensuring that you enjoy your movies for long.

• XBMC Media Center

If you are looking for a compatible and free open source DVD player software then XBMC Media Center might be what you have been looking for. This program is worth checking it out since, plays DVDs right out of the box from the main menu something that never comes with other free media players. To crown it all, it comes with a number of options and settings that will enable you to optimize quality playback of DVDs, particularly to your preference thus making the experience fun. This explains its ever-increasing popularity. Most of XBMC users have developed a strong relationship with the media player owing to the fact that it offers them with several ways to enjoy their local digital media collection.

Top 5 best DVD player software for Mac

• Mac Media Player

Mac Media Player is one of the free DVD player software available for you to enjoy your DVD movies. A powerful high def video player works on Mac OS X 10.5 to 10.9 for V2.9.2 platforms. If you are using this program for the first time you need to select is as a default player in Mac. Mac Media Player allows you to enjoy your movies on either full screen or window modes.

• MPlayerOSX

When it comes to DVD player software, Mac never lacks since there are a number of good media players that support Mac. One these media player is MPlayerOSX. It is worth mentioning that when you install this program it installs with MPlayer as the front-end application. It is a binary application that was meant for Mplayer (Linux’ Movie Player) as well as it is a native to Mac OS X. An easy to use program allows you to simply use drag as well as drop functions to play your DVDs. You can enjoy your movies on either full screen or window modes. It supports Mac OS X 10.5 and later platforms. Mac Media Player compares favorably like some of its competitors in the market.

• Apple DVD Player

This DVD player software is one of the simplest Mac DVD players that you can never afford to miss. It is so simple that all it takes to play your DVD on your Mac after installation is to insert your DVD in your drive and it will play automatically. Furthermore, if the DVD has a menu Apple DVD Player will automatically put on view the disc’s DVD menu screen. On the other hand, you can use your mouse to select your items of choice on the menu. It comes with navigation buttons that enables you to use the DVD Player Controller with a lot of ease. Apple DVD Player supports Mac OS X v10.6 and earlier and earlier versions. It also enables you to turn on or off your DVD subtitles as well as skip chapters. Apple DVD Player comes bundled in Mac machines and it does not come with any cost.

• Ultimate DVD Player

Ultimate DVD Player is one DVD player software that will playback DVD disk and at the same time will allow you to change the speed (50% - 150%) as well as pitch (+/- 2 semitones). This means it can accelerate the video speed or slow it according to your preferences, giving you control of your DVD performances. It comes with additional features such as setting of loop points, bookmarks and a number of other features that will make the experience fun. Ultimate DVD Player also comes with key board command that functions with the loop control buttons better stereo field preservation and superb sound quality. Ultimate DVD Player only supports OS X 10.5 or better and Intel computers, which is one of its greatest shortcomings.

• iReal Mac Blu-ray Player

One amazing software that you can use to play DVDs on your Mac is iReal Mac Blu-ray Player. This program is way beyond your traditional media player since iReal Mac Blu-ray Player gives you the ability to enjoy Blu-ray player on Mac of course including DVD. It plays virtually any media that you can think. With its compatibility with almost all the Macs versions of software, iReal Blu-ray Player is built to deliver stunning HD visual as well as high audio quality. Though powerful, it is faster and lighter, thus making it more stable when playing DVDs. iReal Blu-ray Player offers all in one style in addition to playing virtually very file format that you may wish to.

Want to play DVD, but don't like to install extra media player?

Sometimes it can be somehow challenging to notice that despite using the above-mentioned DVD player software you end up with compatibility issues. However, this should not mean that you cannot enjoy watching your DVD. You can use Aimersoft DVD Ripper (DVD Ripper for Mac) to enhance your experience. Aimersoft DVD Ripper is a professional DVD ripper that is capable of converting your DVD to an acceptable file format that is supported by your default media player supported by your computer. It allows you to convert your DVD with a lot of ease thus making the experience fun. Nothing can be compared to the ability to convert your DVD devoid of any obstacle.

Play DVD on Windows 8

Play DVD on any player as you like

Aimersoft DVD Converter

Convert DVD to any media player acceptable format
Lets you enjoy DVD movies on all popular devices
Extract DVD audio and save as MP3, M4A, etc.
Embed DVD movie metata information in a click
Improve DVD video visual experience

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The most amazing thing with this tool is that you can convert your DVD with just a few clicks your DVD movie without the restriction of DVD players. Here is a detailed guide on how to use Aimersoft DVD Ripper to convert DVD to an acceptable file format that is supported by your default media player supported by your computer.

If you are using the software for the first time, install the program on your computer. After a successful installation

Insert your DVD disc into the DVD drive and then launch the software.
Click the "Load DVD" button so as to upload DVD folders/ISO files/IFO files.
Select your preferred file format as the output format (for instance MP4) from the drop-down list of "Profile" or select a proper format from the category of iPod, iPhone, iPad or PSP for your multimedia devices.
Decide on an output path, which will act as your destination folder that will be used to save the converted file format.
Finally, click the "Start" button to begin converting your preferred file format from DVD. (For instance, if you want to convert a DVD VOB files to MP4, it is important to refer to Convert VOB to MP4.)