Every time some innovative software developer produced something new and useful enough to create a whole new market (or sub-market or whatever you want to call it), Microsoft would barge in, create a similar product, and offer it for free with their operating system.Ĭountless innovative software companies were driven out of business this way. Long ago, Microsoft would drive entire markets out of business with a particular tactic. but in this instance, they're making the right decision. We wanted to include Media Player for everyone without everyone incurring the cost even if they don't even have an optical drive.' In a comment, Microsoft's Steven Sinofsky elaborates: '(marginal is small, honest, and we just haven't determined the final prices yet based on ongoing work but we are aiming for single digit dollars but we don't control the truly marginal costs). To give you some indication of Media Center Pack pricing, it will be in line with marginal costs.'' Pricing for these Packs, as well as retail versions of Windows 8, will be announced closer to the release date. 'Acquiring either the Windows 8 Media Center Pack or the Windows 8 Pro Pack gives you Media Center, including DVD playback (in Media Center, not in Media Player), broadcast TV recording and playback (DBV-T/S, ISDB-S/T, DMBH, and ATSC), and VOB file playback. You'll only be able to play DVDs and Blu-rays if you upgrade to the Media Center pack.

An anonymous reader writes 'You may already know that Microsoft plans to sell Windows Media Center as a separate, paid pack, but now the company has revealed that Windows 8 will also stop default support for DVD playback.

Avs media player will not play dvd