Windows 8 wont support native DVD playback, Media Center explained

[JMH]

Windows Media Center support in Windows 8 has been something of a tricky subject for Microsoft.
The company admits that Windows Media Center in Windows 7 wasn't used that much but it still has a very loyal and very vocal following.
When Microsoft announced its lineup of Windows 8 SKUs, it also announced that Windows Media Center would be available, but only as an add-on.

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-8-and-windows-media-center-explained

 

[Corrine]

Here's more from the Building Windows 8 Blog: FAQ - DVD playback and Windows Media Center in Windows 8

 

[zigzag3143]

It seems to be creating quite the furor, but for the life of me I dont understand why.

 

[Wrench97]

I thought it was only going to effect Blu-ray playback due to the elimination of the blu-ray licensing fee?

 

[Corrine]

Nope, both DVD & Blu-ray. From Building Windows 8, Making Windows Media Center available in Windows 8:

Windows Media Player will continue to be available in all editions, but without DVD playback support. For optical discs playback on new Windows 8 devices, we are going to rely on the many quality solutions on the market, which provide great experiences for both DVD and Blu-ray. {Bold added}

Also related:

If VLC can ship a free DVD player, why can't Microsoft? | ZDNet

Maximum PC | VLC Offers a Free DVD Player, Why Can’t Microsoft?

It would seem to me that for OEM's to ship PCs that support native DVD playback, the cost will be higher because they will not have as much bargaining power to license the codecs.

What worries me is not that having Windows Media Player will be a cost add-on or that it may cost more for OEMs to obtain licenses for codecs. I don't want to return to 2006 and the need to warn users about downloading codecs, no longer being able to explain that under normal circumstances all needed codecs are built into Windows (one example from 2006: VideosCodec and More on Fake Codecs).

 

[Wrench97]

That's true I've seen many XP systems infected that way.

 

[Temmu]

vlc does wonders for me.
i use it in xp, 7, debian, mint and others.