XPHome Upgrade Problems

[jxo]

My HTPC has been running W98SE for the last several years (if it aint broke....). I decided to upgrade to XPHome over the weekend. Used the upgrade version. The install went just fine but when I try to play a DVD I get the following message:

"Rendering Error: Unable to play
protected content in the current environment."

After the message, the DVD software (TheaterTek) gets hung and I had to ctrl alt delete to end the program. I re-installed XP Home and get the same problem. I got the same message whether I used TheaterTek or Windows Media Center (which I upgraded to WMC 10).

The HTPC now seems to have trouble seeing DVDs in the dvd drive (not previously a problem). This is exactly why I put off the upgrade. The HTPC is dedicated to HT so there's not much else on it (PIII 733; Radeon 7200).

Any advice would be appreciated.

Jim

[Soapsuds]

Did you do a clean install of WinXP?

There are a lot of pitfalls when doing an upgrade over Win98.
Best to start with a clean drive (format), install XP, load all the programs again.
Don't forget to back-up all your data first.

At this point you could try re-installing your applications (TT etc) by first un-installing them using the Add/Remove programs.
If this doesn't work, the only solution may be to start with a clean install of XP.
That's what I did and I have had no real issues.

[jxo]

Thanks Soapsuds. I will try again but I found the error message confusing as if some setting was now restricting simple playback of copy protected material. Was hoping there was a registry switch to fix it.

[JTAnderson]

What connection do you have from the HTPC to the TV and at what resolution are you trying to play the DVD?

If you are using a component video output from your display card, you are not allowed to play Macrovision-protected DVDs at a resolution > 480p.

This restriction can be avoided by using a Macrovision-stripping tool. Many such utilities have been discussed in this forum.

[jxo]

[QUOTE=JTAnderson]What connection do you have from the HTPC to the TV and at what resolution are you trying to play the DVD?

If you are using a component video output from your display card, you are not allowed to play Macrovision-protected DVDs at a resolution > 480p.

This restriction can be avoided by using a Macrovision-stripping tool. Many such utilities have been discussed in this forum.[/QUOTE]

The HTPC is connected to an xga projector; running at 1024x768/60hz. Does XP have new copy protection features that could be causing problems?

[KCLC]

JXO,
Have you checked your region settings since the upgrade. I had a similar sitiutation in trying to play a DVD from Europe. Make sure you're DVD on your pc is still set correctly to play US DVD's after checking your regional settings.

One Caveat on changing region settings on your DVD. Some systems will only let you make a limited number of changes

If that's not it, it sure sounds like a DRM issue

[jxo]

[QUOTE=KCLC]JXO,
.... If that's not it, it sure sounds like a DRM issue[/QUOTE]

DRM?

[e vey]

XP doesn't come with a DVD decoder. I had to buy one for ~$10. Often the 98 decoders aren't compatible with XP. So you need to look at whatever your decoders are. PowerDVD or whatever.

[jxo]

[QUOTE=e vey]XP doesn't come with a DVD decoder. I had to buy one for ~$10. Often the 98 decoders aren't compatible with XP. So you need to look at whatever your decoders are. PowerDVD or whatever.[/QUOTE]

How about Media Player? what decoders does it use?

[e vey]

Media Player borrows the DVD decoder that is installed and uses that.
I bought Cineplayer. I can play my DVD's in Media Player if I want to.

Check this out:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q306331

[JTAnderson]

I'm not really sure you answered my question when you said "xga", but anyhow...

Could you try using a resolution of XXXx480 (where XXX is 640, 720 or 856) and see if you still have the problem. If that causes the problem to go away, then you almost certainly have a Macrovision issue.

[jxo]

The computer is not connected to a TV and am not using a component connection. The computer is connected to a projector with a native rez of 1024x768 using a standard vga cable-- the computer is outputting a 1024x768/60hz signal.

thanks for the feedback.

If media player borrows the decoder from previously installed software players, that explains why the same error is generated. I will re-install TT or another software player and keep my fingers crossed.

[e vey]

--previously installed software players--

Not software players, DVD players (decoders). You had to have one installed in 98 or you wouldn't have been able to see DVD's. Follow that link to the MS site.

[Karyk]

[QUOTE=Soapsuds]Did you do a clean install of WinXP?

There are a lot of pitfalls when doing an upgrade over Win98.
Best to start with a clean drive (format), install XP, load all the programs again.
Don't forget to back-up all your data first..[/QUOTE]

I used to prefer the method where you'd install XP to a different directory or drive, creating a dual boot machine. That way any devices or programs that wouldn't function properly (or that you didn't use much and want to reload) could still be used if necessary. At this point in time, however, you'd probably only be gaining the latter advantage, which by itself might not be of much use.

[ChrisL01]

Having TT installed should enable DVD playback in Windows Media Player as well as TT. Depending on the version of TT, it either shipped with Sonic's or NVIDIA's decoders.

When you run dvdupgrd /detect what does the output say?

Also, what's the error code that you get with "Rendering Error: Unable to play protected content in the current environment." in Windows Media Player?