Where Do I Download A Free Windows Dvd Decoder?

A DVD decoder performs three functions:

1. It unlocks the CSS copy protection which is applied to the video files on a DVD;
   
2. It decodes the MPEG2 formatting that is applied to the video content;
   
3. And it displays the video through a viewer program which is installed in Windows.
   

Developing a decoder requires additional licensing and royalty fees be paid to the patentholders of DVD technology. This is why DVD decoders are not available for free over the internet.

Although there isn't a standalone decoder which is free, but there is a free solution. VLC is a portable multimedia player for various audio and video formats (MPEG-1, MPEG-4, DivX, mp3) as well as DVDs and VCDs. This player does not need a decoder to play DVDs, and in my opinion, its the best free solution for using a computer DVD player with no DVD decoder software.