Tat depends on which version of Windows it's in. I pre-Windows 8, it has dvd playback. In Windows 8/8.1 it only has it, if you also have Windows Media Center. I've got Windows 8.1 Pro Update w/Media Center. I can admit, I've never tried to play a dvd on it in Windows Media Player in 8 or 8.1, so it may not be able to play them, even with the Windows Media Center addon.Now, if you want to compare the Xbox stuff to Windows Media Player in 8 or 8.1. Windows Media Player will alway's win, as it has sound advancement features like the equalizer, etc. that makes music or videos sound better. Xbox Music & Xbox Video, are both missing out on that stuff.In my personal opinion, in Windows 9, Microsoft should kill off Xbox Music & Xbox Videos. They'd be better off with updated versions of Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center and just add the ability to buy or rent music, videos and tv shows from both. They could add the tv shows part, just to Windows Media Center.