The Complete Guide to the Best DVD Players for PC

Nowadays, streaming services and digital downloads are undoubtedly dominant. The physical media of entertainment like DVDs and Blu-rays still hold value for specific users. If you have extensive disc collections or a preference for physical media, a DVD player for PC remains a useful tool.

This guide explores both external hardware and software to play DVDs on your PC. We will give you all the necessary knowledge to choose the best DVD player for your needs.

Part 1. Best External DVD Players for PC

External DVD players are physical devices that connect to your PC via USB or other ports. They are a good choice if you need to play DVDs on multiple devices or if your PC doesn't have an internal drive.

Panasonic DVD-S500

Panasonic DVD-S500 is a good option for those looking for a basic and affordable DVD player for PC. It plays DVDs, CDs, and MP3 files from CDs and USB drives. This DVD player offers standard 480p resolution for DVDs and can upscale the resolution to near-HD quality (1080p) for playback. It features composite video, S-video, and RCA audio outputs for connecting to a PC, TV, or home theater system.

Panasonic DVD-S500 is equipped with progressive scan playback for smoother picture quality, Dolby Digital and DTS sound decoding, resume playback function, and parental controls. It does not support HDMI output.

Sony DVP-SR510H DVD Player

Sony DVP-SR510H is a compact and versatile DVD player that delivers near HD-quality picture and solid sound. It's a great option for watching movies, listening to music, and viewing photos on your PC and TV. This DVD player supports playback of various media types, including DVDs, CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+Rs, DVD+RWs, JPEG images, and MP3 files.

Sony DVP-SR510H can upscale the resolution of standard-definition DVDs to near HD quality (1080p) when connected to a PC. You can enjoy your old DVD collection with improved clarity and detail. Moreover, it supports Dolby Digital and DTS decoder for immersive sound. It carries HDMI, USB, RCA composite video, and RCA stereo audio outputs. Please note that the DVP-SR510H has no region-free playback and Blu-ray support.

Dell USB DVD Drive-DW316

Dell USB DVD Drive-DW316 is an external optical drive that connects to your PC via a USB port, allowing you to play DVDs and CDs. It is ideal for laptops and on-the-go usage. As a DVD player for your PC, it has no drivers or installation required. It provides sufficient data transfer speed for smooth playback.

Dell USB DVD Drive-DW316 offers standard 480p resolution for DVDs and CDs. It can upscale to near-HD quality playback through upscaling software. This external DVD player gets the pre-loaded CyberLink Media Suite to give basic playback and burning functionality for DVDs and CDs. Similar to the two DVD players above, it cannot play Blu-ray discs.

Part 2. Best DVD Player Software for Your PC

For those who prioritize cost-effectiveness and convenience, software DVD players offer a compelling alternative. These programs leverage your PC's existing hardware to decode and play DVDs directly from the disc drive. They usually support a wider range of media formats beyond just DVDs, making them more than just DVD playback solutions.

Vidmore Player - Best DVD Player for PC and Mac

Vidmore Player offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate your disc collection and control playback. It supports all commonly used media formats, including DVDs, Blu-rays, MP4, MKV, AVI, FLV, MOV, MP3, FLAC, AAC, and more. This DVD player software utilizes your graphics card for smooth playback, even with high-resolution files. It lets you easily access your DVDs with chapter selection and subtitle display options.

Vidmore Player supports advanced audio decoding technologies like Dolby, DTS, TrueHD, and more. You can get a smooth DVD or Blu-ray playback with high-quality sound. It also lets you enhance the DVD playing quality with features like brightness, contrast, saturation, and hue adjustments, along with noise reduction and sharpening filters.

VLC Media Player

If you are looking for free, versatile, and user-friendly DVD player software for your PC, VLC Media Player is an excellent choice. Its open-source nature ensures transparency and community development. It goes beyond DVDs to play nearly any video or audio format, including MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, FLV, MP3, FLAC, and countless others. VLC eliminates the need for additional codecs or players for most media files.

As a free DVD player for PC, VLC handles DVDs, CDs, and various video files with ease, offering smooth playback and playback controls for audio tracks, subtitles, and video settings. It offers extensive customization options for audio and video adjustments, playback speed, aspect ratio, filters, and more. However, VLC may not bypass region codes on DVDs, potentially limiting the playback of discs from different regions.

Part 3. FAQs of DVD Player for PC

How to play DVDs on a PC?

There are two main ways to play DVDs on a PC: using an external DVD player or with software. Connect an external USB DVD drive if your PC does not come with an internal DVD drive. Insert your DVD disc and launch the DVD player software. Then, you can open the DVD and enjoy it.

How can I connect my DVD player to my PC?

Connecting your DVD player to your PC depends on the type of DVD player you have. You can hook up an external DVD player to your PC with USB or HDMI connection. If your PC has an internal DVD drive, you don't need any additional hardware. Simply insert your DVD disc into the drive and then use your preferred DVD player software to open it.

Does Windows 10 have DVD player software?

Yes, Windows 10 comes with a pre-installed DVD player software called Windows DVD Player. It can play most standard DVDs and CDs, including commercially produced movies and music discs. However, its capabilities have some limitations. It lacks advanced features like upscaling, audio enhancements, 3D playback, or extensive customization options. If you upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8 with Windows Media Center, you can use Windows DVD Player for free. Otherwise, you need to purchase it from the Microsoft Store.

Conclusion

When selecting a DVD player for PC, make sure it is compatible with your PC's operating system. Consider the type of discs you want to play and choose a player that supports the appropriate format. Message us if you have any questions about external DVD players or DVD player software.