Installing a DVD player?

Question

I have decided to get a DVD Player/Writer for my HP. What I was wondering is; Is it difficult to install a DVD drive, or can any boob do it. I replaced the internal modem drive awhile ago, so I'm not to squirmish about going into my computer.

Can someone give me a general idea of the steps involved to install it? Also, is there a certain brand I should get, or would any do?

And, just to finish on a dumb note, I could play regular DVDs, like movies (Silent Hill) and tv box sets (Family Guy) on it, right?

Answer 1

To start with your last question: yes you can, but you might need to download some software (like VLC player, freeware).

As far as brands are concerned: the best out there still is Plextor, but the extra money you pay for these do make me wonder if they're worth it. BenQ and NEC are good brands, and often come out as "best in test". Tip: get yourself a burner. They're usually as fast as regular players and hardly cost anything more.

Installing the DVD player isn't that big of a deal. You do have to be certain though, that your computer has ample physical space for a DVD drive to be installed in. Make sure there's a connector available either on the motherboard or on the cable connecting your harddrive. If you can, have the DVD player on a seperate cable from your harddrive. If you can't, make sure the harddrive is set as master, and the DVD player as slave. The papers that come with the DVD players will tell you how to set the jumpers on the DVD player to get this right.