[paradiseware.com]

I was wondering if anyone uses a DVD player with a Surface RT? If so, are there ones that work better than others? e.g. I noticed some USB DVD burner/readers used two USB cables -- one for power and one for data. That would be a bit of a problem on a Surface. I don't think I'll need the "write" capability, just want to play DVDs.

[berty6294]

I was wondering if anyone uses a DVD player with a Surface RT? If so, are there ones that work better than others? e.g. I noticed some USB DVD burner/readers used two USB cables -- one for power and one for data. That would be a bit of a problem on a Surface. I don't think I'll need the "write" capability, just want to play DVDs.

I was sitting in my buddy's dorm like 10 minutes ago and he had his disk drive out and right next to wear I as working on my surface. Looked over at it and though "I wonder if this works, maybe I'll try it after I finish studying"... I forgot to... but next time I'm here I'll give it a whirl!

[pedenske]

judging by this page it looks like a bit of a slim chance.

[bawboh86]

I have two, and they both work fine. One that doesn't have a separate power cable, and the other does. They both read, at least. I haven't tried writing.

[bawboh86]

Just tried it on an "Amazon Basics" that shouldn't require an extra power cable, and it showed up, but as soon as I tried to play something, it flopped. So, it seems that some work and some don't. I don't know the original (I didn't pay any attention, and it's a friends), but I'll see if I can get the model for you. The one that requires the power is a Lacie drive I got back in 2004.

[ninjaap]

If its compatible with Windows 7 then Windows 8 or RT should install the same drivers right?

[bawboh86]

If its compatible with Windows 7 then Windows 8 or RT should install the same drivers right?

That's my understanding. Although, this logic failed me with a Dell printer recently. :(

[Zeroplanetz]

I was wondering if anyone uses a DVD player with a Surface RT? If so, are there ones that work better than others? e.g. I noticed some USB DVD burner/readers used two USB cables -- one for power and one for data. That would be a bit of a problem on a Surface. I don't think I'll need the "write" capability, just want to play DVDs.

if you get a usb hub you'll have more than one usb port. I use a hub for several items at once. Works great. But from everything I've read if this is your question there are no codecs to play the dvds on the surface Rt. Unless you can somehow put them on it?

[paradiseware.com]

So, I had to order one and try it. From Amazon, I ordered: LG GP10NB20 Portable 8X Slim DVD+/-RW External Drive (Black)
The web site description said it needed one USB connection but the DVD came with a "Y" USB cable for two USB connections on the PC. Anyway, I plugged the portable DVD into my Surface and it powered up OK. I loaded a movie DVD into the unit. The Surface would show the files on the DVD but would not Play the movie. So, I guess the answer to my original question is: No, one cannot play DVDs on a Surface tablet. Oh well..... As the wise sage said -- sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield.

[Zeroplanetz]

So, I had to order one and try it. From Amazon, I ordered: LG GP10NB20 Portable 8X Slim DVD+/-RW External Drive (Black)
The web site description said it needed one USB connection but the DVD came with a "Y" USB cable for two USB connections on the PC. Anyway, I plugged the portable DVD into my Surface and it powered up OK. I loaded a movie DVD into the unit. The Surface would show the files on the DVD but would not Play the movie. So, I guess the answer to my original question is: No, one cannot play DVDs on a Surface tablet. Oh well..... As the wise sage said -- sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield.

that's because the surface can read files but it does not have the proper codecs for video to be played. It costs Microsoft for them even though its not much its an omission that they did. Even with windows 8 you now need to purchase them if you want to watch movies when you upgrade your system. So until they become available for purchase or something we won't be able to do that although if they were there we could.

[ninjaap]

Is it a ripped DVD? Does it contain VTS files? Couldn't you just use one of the players in the Store that plays ripped DVDs, which should recognize VTS files, no?

[derek533]

I know that an old HD-DVD Xbox drive works with Windows 7 as a generic USB DVD drive so if you can get your hands on one and try. Thing is, it has it's own AC adapter so it only has one USB connection.

I have one somewhere, I'll give it a shot and report back.

[Zeroplanetz]

I know that an old HD-DVD Xbox drive works with Windows 7 as a generic USB DVD drive so if you can get your hands on one and try. Thing is, it has it's own AC adapter so it only has one USB connection.

I have one somewhere, I'll give it a shot and report back.

interesting thought. I have mine still hooked up to my Xbox! And I still watch movies with it. Mime came with king kong movie.