Microsoft Windows 8 Release Preview

[Arthur]

I see they're crippling WMC in Win8 :/

Big minus for me.

Me too.

But apparently it does come in an add-on Pro Pack at $15. You can download it now for free for RP. Here's how.

The big news no-one is talking about (yet) is there's no native support for DVD playback in Win8. Paul Thurrott has something to say about this on his Supersite. The real reason apparently is the DVD owners wanted over $2 per Windows licence for this in Win8, irrespective of whether PCs included a DVD drive or not, and Microsoft basically told them to take a hike.

[Guantanamo]

I really like Windows 8 so far. I have it installed on my netbook and even though I had to fiddle around to get it to run metro apps natively because my screen resolution was too low I still think it is a nicer experience than Windows 7. I think in order to get the most out of the new UI you need multitouch or touch screen however. I think a lot of the new computers set to debut 8 will sport either multitouch trackpads or multitouch mouses like Apple have currently. That and the integration of apps will ultimately make or break 8.

[teraside]

I reverted back to Windows 7 mainly because I can't watch movies on 8 without it stuttering or lagging. I've installed Windows 7 Codec pack on it, but it doesn't seem to utilize it.

Is there a fix for this?

[Elimentals]

I reverted back to Windows 7 mainly because I can't watch movies on 8 without it stuttering or lagging. I've installed Windows 7 Codec pack on it, but it doesn't seem to utilize it.

Is there a fix for this?

VLC not working?

[teraside]

VLC not working?

"cringe" I can't stand that app. You won't find me dead using it

[Duff-Man]

EDIT : Nevermind, found out how to solve the problem.

[morkhans]

I reverted back to Windows 7 mainly because I can't watch movies on 8 without it stuttering or lagging. I've installed Windows 7 Codec pack on it, but it doesn't seem to utilize it.

Is there a fix for this?

Graphics drivers perhaps? VLC is working perfectly for me. It's actually a good app to test with because it doesn't rely on system codecs.

[Arthur]

Try GOMplayer. Highly rated by those in the know. One of the few to play broken files.

[teraside]

Graphics drivers perhaps? VLC is working perfectly for me. It's actually a good app to test with because it doesn't rely on system codecs.

I'm using a system based driver. I've got a AMD HD4650 and the Windows 7 drivers don't work, so I'm not sure where to get 8 drivers?

Try GOMplayer. Highly rated by those in the know. One of the few to play broken files.

I've used Gom for many years now and I've got it installed on 8, but I did have a few issues with it. It wants to download too many codecs for simple AVI files for some reason.

[ghoti]

So I stopped using Windows 8 at the office. Not because I did not like the UI or anything. None of that bothered me. What got me was the lack of functionality for my daily needs. Ill wait for a more polished product.

[morkhans]

I'm using a system based driver. I've got a AMD HD4650 and the Windows 7 drivers don't work, so I'm not sure where to get 8 drivers?

nvidia have beta drivers for Windows 8, maybe AMD have done the same?

[Arthur]

I've used Gom for many years now and I've got it installed on 8, but I did have a few issues with it. It wants to download too many codecs for simple AVI files for some reason.

How peculiar. Works fine without issue on all my Win8 systems, desktop and portable. #&@% computers.

[teraside]

nvidia have beta drivers for Windows 8, maybe AMD have done the same?

I can't find any. I only see that a manual install might work through device manager. I'll test it tonight.

[Arthur]

Talking Win8 drivers, how's this for a funny:

Win8CP worked fine on an old Asus W5F notebook. But with RP the built-in webcam wasn't recognised. Tried all the old Vista ones. Eventually took a flyer and installed the WinXP driver - and all is fine.

[teraside]

How peculiar. Works fine without issue on all my Win8 systems, desktop and portable. #&@% computers.

It asked me twice to download a codec and I killed it. I'm not sure why. The file plays fine on 7.

Talking Win8 drivers, how's this for a funny:

Win8CP worked fine on an old Asus W5F notebook. But with RP the built-in webcam wasn't recognised. Tried all the old Vista ones. Eventually took a flyer and installed the WinXP driver - and all is fine.

That is funky. 32 Bit or 64?