Since Microsoft's Windows Media Player found in Windows 8 OS does not support playback of DVD movies, AMD is offering its users copies of Cyberlink's PowerDVD 12 software.

Windows 8 does not support DVD playback for protected contented in its new version of Windows Media Player, as it did for Windows 7. Microsoft cut this feature in ordr to help reduce costs. DVD codecs, as they are commonly referred, cost money to license. By reducing the codecs included in Windows, Microsoft was able to pass on the savings to the OEMs. However, because PC buyers expect to be able to play DVD movies on their PC, OEMs may want to include some level of playback functionality for protected content on new PCs by licensing 3rd party DVD playback software.

In an industry already challenged with thin margins, this can pose a big problem for OEMs - especially those small and midsize manufacturers who lack the volume necessary to negotiate direct deals with major app developers. In an effort to help OEMs source a cost-effective DVD playback solution at an affordable price, AMD has worked with CyberLink to offer its latest PowerDVD media player - PowerDVD 12, which is optimized for several AMD technologies, is available today at a discounted price and reduced volume requirements, through appAttach, a new digital application distribution service which enables OEMs to easily connect with app developers to find, transact and manage preinstalled app deals over the Internet.

To get your copies of PowerDVD 12, visit http://www.appattach.com and sign-up.