HD DVD on Windows 8?

[chipsgravy]

I used to use Total Media Theatre 3 to play HD DVDs on my Windows 7 OS. However I since upgraded to Windows 8 and it isn't compatible. Even when trying to run in compatibility mode. Are there any other software alternatives to allow me to play HD DVD's on my Win 8 PC?

[Baseley09]

Interesting, i'd like to now for future reference also as I use that on Windows 7.

[mekanor]

Does PowerDVD play HD DVDs as I'm pretty sure that's compatible with Windows 8.

Don't take that as a recommendation though, PowerDVD is without a doubt, the single worst piece of software it has ever been my misfortune to attempt to use...

[Baseley09]

I believe Total Media Theatre 5 has HDDVD support still (albeit without bitstreaming audio), could be worth a shot, if not this could signal the death nell for support.

[EvilBoris]

Have you tried just playing it it windows media center?

[chipsgravy]

No I don't have Media Center. I may try the trial of Media Theatre 5.

[wakka]

There's only one very specific version of PowerDVD that plays HD-DVDs, iirc. They removed support as soon as HD-DVD was taken off the market (why?!).

[chipsgravy]

Well TMT 5 will play HD DVD. But not properly. Its glitchy. Froze then crashed. The search continues.

[wod]

have you tried vlc media player, this seems to play pretty much anything, I cant see hd dvd listed in the formats it will play but the program is free to download though.

[mekanor]

I wouldn't hold out much hope for windows media centre, but if you want to give it a go you can get a free code for it from Microsoft at the moment:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/feature-packs

[Baseley09]

As a tester I tried out using mediaportal with the moving pictures plugin under windows 7 and couldn't get that to play an hddvd, even though it's meant to, you may have some better luck in setting it up.

http://moving-pictures.tv/wiki/Configuring_Bluray_and_HDDVD_playback

[chipsgravy]

No go on VLC, or WMC. No luck with plug in that either Baseley.

I have read its because I need to switch to Windows Basic Colour scheme. But I don't think this is possible on Windows 8?? Certainly TMT5 isn't doing it automatically. I can't find a way to manually switch it.

It looks like I may have to go back to Windows 7. Or maybe create a dual boot machine.

[Baseley09]

It's a shame there's never been a great HDDVD player for windows, even total media theater I've noted doesn't play every disc (well, it won't play my blood diamond).

On a few sites I've found the software Toshiba shipped with their hddvd enabled laptops for playback but I think somehow they've locked it specifically to those systems, when I've tried to run it says system not supported.

[alexanda_c]

now, totalmedia theatre support windows 8. recently i have upgraded to Windows 8 too. I have used it for almost 2 years and never had any problem. it plays blu ray on pc smoothly. when i bought it, to my surprise, it can change region code, thus i'm never worried about relaxing myself when on business. It's an easy to use and professional blu ray player software for windows， including Windows 8. of course, it fully integrates with Windows Media Center too. beyond your surprise, it's also a 3d video player.

[charlesr]

thus i'm never worried about relaxing myself when on business.

Do you actually have a wank during business meetings or something?