Am back...
Okay, so I installed the Combined Community Codec Pack (CCCP) - which makes it a first time event for me. On principle I don't install codec packs especially after having read warnings that codec packs have been known to evoke codec incompatibilities, media player problems, or system instabilities. Known risk factors and causes could be if one (a) indiscriminately installs the full contents of mega sized variants of codec packs instead of filtering only ones needed or (b) the codec pack contains out dated codecs that cause conflicts with programs or other codecs.
However, CCCP has a reputation for being 'up-to'date' and historically problem free, in addition to being recommended by Jim
Now that I got that prelude out of the way here's what happened...
First, before installing CCCP I ran CCCP Insurgent to detect if I had any pre-existing codec packs installed on my computer, as expected there were none. Then I installed CCCP only to find that...
1. MC 16 still stuttered when playing a DVD.
2. I then uninstalled CCCP using both the program's uninstall routine plus running my 3rd party install/uninstall monitor utility.
3. After uninstalling CCCP I relaunched MC only to be greeted by a dialogue window reading:
The application 'Media Center 15.exe' has made an attempt to load ffdshow.
This dialog is shown because this application is not listed in the ffdshow whitelist or blacklist.
Your choice will be applied to both audio and video, if both are used.
[select from]
Don't use ffdshow. (just this once)
Don't use ffdshow. (always)
Use ffdshow. (just this once)
Use ffdshow. (always)
If that MC reaction sounds familiar, it is; it was discussed in the
ffdshow compatibility manager popup when starting MC post located at http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=62867.0 where a thread developed offering recommendations for recovering/installing latest version of ffdshow when that warning appears.
As I wrote earlier there are several posts addressing Media Center video stuttering, with suggestions for correction, that for me appear to be time involving and complex. I was hoping that installing CCCP would be a simple solution for me, but it wasn't.
Fortunately I was prepared for all this. Prior to installing CCCP I created a system image of my computer.
A few minutes ago I restored my computer from my system image backup.
Thanks for the suggestion, since I do have another media player which for me plays DVDs problem free, I prefer to just standby on this issue.