... this is me, trying out W8
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I think the trouble seems to be that Microsoft are tailoring the 8 for touch screen more than for normal PC use. I for one will never have a touch screen I like an old fashioned PC. I am not into what I would call gadgets, I don't even like laptops let alone smart phones, I have got a mobile phone and that is only because her indoors insists I have one with me when I go a wandering with the dogs in case of EMERGENCIES. BAH HUMBUG!!!!!
Windows 8 users who want out-of-the-box DVD playback capability will not only have to purchase the higher-priced Pro edition, but also the optional Media Center Pack. This is bad news for consumers because it means increased costs, more confusion, and the potential for more ‘crapware‘ to be installed on new PCs.
Microsoft says that the Media Center Pack will be available at “marginal costs“. However, in order to have the option to buy this feature, users will have to be running the higher-priced Pro edition, or upgrade to this edition. Currently, the difference in price between Home Premium and Ultimate editions of Windows 7 stands at around $100. I would expect the difference between Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro to be similar given that the difference in features between the two editions is broadly the same.
Microsoft to charge customers $99 to remove OEM 'crapware'
Microsoft even offers up numbers to show how detrimental this OEM-installed crapware is to your system. Microsoft claims that Signature systems start up 39 percent faster, go into sleep mode 23 percent faster, and resume from sleep a whopping 51 percent faster compared to their crapware-ladened counterparts.
If MS really are only going to make DVD playback available on Pro editions and also charge for a media centre then I think they are going to lose a significant amount of custom. But I don't think it's likely, I suspect that may be a rumour or scare-mongering.
Windows Media Player will continue to be available in all editions, but without DVD playback support. For optical discs playback on new Windows 8 devices, we are going to rely on the many quality solutions on the market, which provide great experiences for both DVD and Blu-ray.
Windows 8 Pro is designed to help tech enthusiasts obtain a broader set of Windows 8 technologies. 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. Pricing for these Packs, as well as retail versions of Windows 8, will be announced closer to the release date. To give you some indication of Media Center Pack pricing, it will be in line with marginal costs.
8 is certainly entertaining meWe are incredibly excited about the future of entertainment in Windows.
Welp, the Windows Blog link would seem to confirm if you want to play video and audio files you are going to have to install third party software.
Fortunately we have the likes of Winamp and Real Alt Player available for free.
Strange, innit? Just as some Linux Distros have thumbed their nose at media playback restrictions and included media playback capability, Microsoft take away a key function of their last three OS's and ask you to pay for the privilege on top of an already bloated price for Win 8.
Young Mr Flops says 'Get stuffed Microsoft' ner ner