Windows 7 Media player will not play back BluRay disc's

If you had read the thread, you'd see we don't ask for free Blu-ray playback, but for Microsoft Blu-ray playback. I'd happily give Microsoft extra money to get a stable player integrated and working smoothly in Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center, rather than be limited to 3 third party player software, each hugely overpriced.

Just like DVD, Blu-ray playback has become a core feature or rather expectation, since all computers with optical drives have Blu-ray capability.

Unfortunately, Microsoft is removing even DVD playback from the core edition of Windows 8, making it an extra upgrade for a cost, but there won't be any Blu-ray playback upgrade pack on the same basis, which shows that they just don't want to support Blu-ray, or they could have done the same thing they are doing for DVD playback licenses.

That's unacceptable and irrelevant, krooda. The cost of the license would be rolled into the price of Windows. You don't think that non-Sony blu-ray players lose money because they don't pass on the cost of the license to the consumer? Of course not. And, my memorex blu-ray player was only $99.99, so the cost of the license must be cheap indeed.

There are a ton of things we buy that include licensing fees for stuff we may not know about. Did you know that any software that can manipulate gif images requires a fee to be paid for the LZW algorithm? Just about anything you buy can and does contain fees, from the small to large, for purchased technologies, naming rights, characters, etc. You better bet that using the Flintstones to advertise Fruity Pebbles isn't free, and the cost is passed on to the consumer, either directly through sales or deferred through the sales of multiple products.

The fact is, blu-ray isn't going away, just like DVD held the market and VHS before it. It's the new standard, and DVDs are slowly, but surely, fading away. It's ludicrous of Microsoft not to support the format.

Since the Blu-ray technology isn't owned by Microsoft (or Apple), they (Microsoft) must pay Sony for the use of it.   If Microsoft puts a player in Windows, then they would have to increase the price of Windows OS just to pay for (and not profit from) the inclusion of a Blu-ray player.  

When you add a 3rd party Blu-ray player, you (the Blu-ray user) are paying for the software and royalties - just as you should.

We all know that, in life, nothing is free..... Nothing.

Although I understand the issues regarding blu-ray playback capability's It's really just the codec. Windows XP didn't have the functionally to play DVD's on it's own and required a third party application in order too play the VOB files. But what really gets me in this answer is.

"The third-party products, information on 3rd party websites, or drivers created by 3rd party companies that have been discussed are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; and we make no warranty implied or otherwise, regarding these products so use at your own risk."

"Note: Using Third Party Software, including hardware drivers can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Third Party Software can be solved. Using Third Party Software is at your own risk. Amrita M Microsoft Answers Support Engineer Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think."

I had a battle with a Microsoft representative giving lab tutorials on 2008 Networking once regarding the above statement. Microsoft likes too make it sound like they don't want you too run anything but Microsoft products. Which apparently has been tested all together or something. It's not the truth though but it is what it sounds like. The actual fact is if I'm not mistaking, having software being compatible requires Microsoft approval otherwise that statement cannot be made. Who tests the 3rd party software in order to have the approved label on the product before released into the wild world of "Compatible with Windows 7"?

You see the problem here is the solution is too install the bundled software such as pdvd. But everyone hates running cheap OEM that advertises "upgrade in you face" all the time and causes slower performance. It's been a couple of years since blu-ray is in the loop. Can't Microsoft inherent the codec into WMP with the bundled software and charge the consumer whatever the decoder script costs in order to up their game? And a pay for blu-ray update for windows 7 clients? I don't believe its that expensive for consumers cause pdvd which is an entire suite and codec is about $50.00.

Nah I think the problem is even with the blu-ray compatibility super dooper windows 7 will cause it too be just a bit too much for consumers, **** shaving $100.00 off of Ultimate still makes it look expensive. But hey since money is the only worry in everyone's lives today and not working towards the actual future of technology who gives a ****?