WinDVD 11 plays DVDs, but not DVD files on a hard drive

[wwconverse]

I just purchased WinDVD 11. I can play a DVD just fine, but if I create a copy of it on a hard drive, and I don't convert the DVD files to some other format, I get the dreaded "Media Not Supported" error trying to play what is, in essence, a DVD image on the hard drive.

NOTE: VLC.exe, which is FREEWARE, can play the hard drive files without any trouble.

I have found through experimentation that WinDVD CAN play the .vob (data) files, but it doesn't recognize the .ifo or .bup files, which are used to control the order the .vob files are played, along with menus, subtitles, languages, etc. This happens in both the file and folder menu options.

I know that WinDVD knows how to read these types of files, because it does so on regular DVDs. So why not on the hard drive?

Before you all rush to tell me about encryption, let me say I use software to defeat the encryption and create these hard drive files. I'm not pirating DVDs, I'm copying them to my own large DVD library for convenience. I have copied hundreds of DVDs in this way. These copies play perfectly in WinDVD when burned onto a DVD. So I don't believe I am corrupting the data in the files.

I tried loading service pack 1 for WinDVD 11, because it was hard to easily determine if it was needed, but the installer said, after getting part way through, that it wasn't needed, so I aborted that exercise in futility.

I tried assembling the .vob files into a playlist, but a) it's a pain to do so, b) the correct order to play is not always apparent, and c) on the movie I was experimenting with (Super Eight), the language changed from English to Spanish between files.

So I've looked at the online manual, and searched this forum, but I can't see how to play the full movie from a hard drive. I'm hoping I won't have to ask for a refund, but this is a deal breaker for me. I just hope it's me that's being stupid and not the software.

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Additional annoyance: While navigating to a volume or folder in the "folder" option, WinDVD 11 will not follow links to other folders.

Another annoyance: I have 2 DVD drives, D and H, but I only use the H drive. If I put a DVD in the H drive, WinDVD finds it and starts playing it, so far so good. But if I hit the Eject button, it "ejects" the D drive, which is empty. I can't find a way to configure this.

[myakoob]

i see similar issues ..did u get resolution to the problem playing from Hard Drive.

If so , can u please kindly share ?