Unable to import or play a DVD

Applicable SongShow Plus Versions: 
This article applies to all version of SongShow Plus 

 * Updates correcting this issue may be available. Ensure that you are using the most current build of SongShow Plus from the Download page before proceeding. *

Symptom:
When attempting to Import or Play a DVD through the SongShow Plus DVD Plug-in, the attempt fails with either SongShow Plus not responding or you get a message such as "No available DVD drives", "No compatible DVD drive" or "No compatible DVD player is available".

Possible Cause:

Approved DVD player software is not installed. SSP requires the installation of a DVD software package to access and play DVDs. Presently, the software packages that are known to work with SSP are WinDVD 4, WinDVD 8 and PowerDVD 7.

**Please note that trial or unregistered versions of the approved versions are problematic and are not recommended.  Additionally Windows Media Player add-ons for DVD playback have been found to be problematic as well and are not recommended. 
This applies to OEM versions of DVD Player software as well - the names may be similar but they are not the same as the approved retail versions.

Possible Solution:
Install an approved DVD player on your system. 

Possible Cause:
Incompatible DVD player software is installed or was not fully uninstalled.  SSP requires that ONLY approved DVD player software is installed.  It is possible that the conflicting codecs/filters were left behind as shared files during the uninstall of incompatible software.  Even if the "player" is not present, the remaining old files can cause issues. 

Possible Solution:
Completely remove any incompatible DVD player and/or codecs/filters from your system.  This can be accomplished through several methods:

-Use the Windows Add/Remove console to remove the conflicting software.
-Use a 3rd party cleaning tool to find and remove the conflicting software and/or components left behind after a previous uninstall.
-Manually search the system and registry to find and remove the conflicting software and/or components left behind after a previous uninstall.  This method will require some advanced expertise. You may want to defer to your IT person to attempt this method.

Possible Cause:
Audio Solution Issues: Sound card is not installed. If a sound card is not installed, or if the drivers for the sound card are not installed, SSP will not be able to access the DVD, even if the DVD has no audio associated with it.  Also many audio systems need speakers connected to be enabled.

 

Possible Solution:
Install a sound card or ensure that the drivers for your sound card are installed and working correctly.  

Possible Cause:
The selected DVD title uses an authoring method that is not compatible with the SSP DVD Import plug-in. 

 

Possible Solution:
Most commercial movie DVDs from major publishing houses such as MGM will work as expected.  If the title you selected does not import, or does appear to import but will not play, please verify proper function of the DVD Import by using a common commercial movie DVD.

Possible Cause:
The installed DVD player may be open and/or trying to play the title you are attempting to import.  The DVD importer requires control of the DVD drive in order to initiate the import process. 

 

Possible Solution:
Ensure that the installed DVD application is not running in the background or trying to auto-play the disk when inserted.  
Best practice in this case is to disable the auto-play feature for the DVD application so that it does not attempt to auto-play any DVD inserted into the drive. 

NOTE: A restart of SSP may be required to restore normal operation if this occurs.

Possible Cause:
The audio content of the DVD to be imported requires an AC3 Filter to work properly.  Lack of this may cause import and playback issues, particularly in Vista. 


Possible Solution:
An AC3 Filter can be downloaded from the ac3filter.net site.  Install the filter and see if the behavior changes.
NOTE:  This installation will most likely require a reboot for it to be recognized in SSP even if the installer does not prompt for reboot.
  
Possible Cause:
Audio Solution Issues: Many audio systems require that speakers be connected to be enabled.

Possible Solution:
Make sure external speakers are connected to the system and verify sound system works. 

 

If this article does not resolve the issue, contact the Support Team.

 

(TS14)