You've checked out DVDs on the PC and DVDs without a decoder card, and you want to fork out the extra cash for the card that is probably easier to hook up and with which you won't have problems.
But which one?
Here what Jarrod at 3dfx said:
Jarrod said on:
 2/28/00 11:04
Yes, hardware decoding will always be superior to a software decoder. It's true the V3 uses the MPEG streaming format CCIR 601, as opposed to the other one which is used sometimes: CCIR 656. I doubt if any salespeople are going to have this kind of information handy though, it's usually not even something that is posted on the box. You usually will have to check out a website or call the company personally to find out the CCIR format a particular decoder card uses.

I have talked to several people who really liked their Creative Encore cards though (with our Voodoo3's).

To which Crypt Keeper replied on:
2/28/00 11:21
Yes. The Creative Encore DVD DXR2 rocks with Voodoo 3. You can get it to work even in Windows 2000 using the included WDM drivers. You need to get the newest driver and player though from www.soundblaster.com though. The included drivers in the box don't work so well.

Hope you guys don't mind me quoting you!

Follow the instructions about the card for connecting the cables.

Another advantage is that most cards allow you to switch off macrovision. Sometimes it's not good enough for copying to video for private use, but it's usually enough to be able to watch DVDs through a VCR. If you still want to make copies for private use and the macrovision is still causing problems you'll have to look at the Copying DVDs to video tape section.

If you have a "weaker" system, under 300 MHz and 64 MB, this is about the only way to go without upgrading all your hardware.

Just want to do the PC thing? Go here.
Still want to try it without a decoder card? Here you go.
Didn't find you you wanted? Need more help? Mail me.