You'd think modern PCs would be able to play DVDs. Nope. In fact, to play a dvd, you have to download a special program called a MPEG2 decoder, and these all require license fees to the MPAA (or whoever setup this racket). I spent all night figuring out how to play a dvd in my PC. Essentially, they want you to buy an extra software for $20 or so, (there are zillions of programs, such as windvd and powerdvd that will do this). Or you can walk 5 feet, stick the dvd in your home dvd player, and press play. Hmm. Anyway, there is a free solution. Go to free codecs website, and download the XP codec pack; it includes Media Player classic, which is a very stripped down media player (but works fine). Most important, it's free.

Also note if you buy a DVD-ROM drive for your PC it will usually include a (usually bad) DVD playing program. How convenient.