Playing DVDs on your computer - low sound

Hi all,

I tried to watch a DVD on my computer last night using Windows Media Player and I couldn't get the sound high enough to be enjoyable. Other things, such as WoW, play sound at a perfectly fine level, but for some reason every DVD I tested kept the sound extremely low.

I tried turning up the sound to max multiple ways. Is this just a problem with Windows Media Player? Does anyone know how to get the sound higher? Does anyone know of a freeware software DVD program where I won't experience these issues?

Thanks!

I recently had a windows (Vista) update.
I think this is the 4th or 5th time, windows has done something which messed up another device.
Unfortunately, I cannot do a system restore to before this.
It says some file is missing.

I've found one codec which lets me watch dvd's in media player, with decent vocal sound (sound effects is normal). I cannot play .mkv (HD) movies with this one.

Another codec lets me watch the .mkv movies fine, but then there is no vocals at all, although other sound is fine.

Kind of gave up on the search for codecs.
Summary, Vista is a piece of shit.

I've never had a laptop that could play a DVD at a decent sound level (apart from getting amplified speakers). The OS's have been XP and Vista.

The sound drivers were all installed properly, sound was loud elsewhere, just DVDs.... If you ever work out why, please tell me!

Having said that, have you tried VLC? IMHO It's the best player available.

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/