Can Chromebooks Play Video DVDs?
Updated on by Jim Mendenhall
Short Answer:
No. Chrome OS does not currently have support for playback of video DVDs included by default. However, it’s now possible to play DVD video with the help of VLC for Chrome OS. Also, VLC for Chrome OS and VLC via the Play Store no longer seem to allow accessing DVD drives.
Long Answer:
While it is possible to connect an external USB DVD drive to a Chromebook, you can not currently watch DVD movies by default in Chrome OS. Unlike simple movie file formats that you might find online, playback of DVD Video requires special decoding software and codecs to work. Google has not licensed this software and included it with Chrome OS, however, VLC for Chrome OS provides limited DVD video playback for Chromebooks and Chromeboxes (details here). Considering that no Chrome OS devices ship with DVD hardware, it is unlikely that Google will license DVD Video software and include it in Chrome OS.
Of course, it also would be possible to watch video DVD movies using crouton along with software like VLC, but this requires switching your Chromebook into developer mode and installing a secondary operating system, something that is not recommended for everyday Chromebook users.
Modern Alternatives for Video Watching
While DVD playback isn’t officially supported, Chromebooks excel at modern video consumption through streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. If you’re looking for a Chromebook specifically for watching video content, consider models with high-quality displays and good speakers.
For the best media consumption experience, we recommend Chromebooks with premium displays. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 features a stunning 13.3-inch OLED screen that reviewers consistently describe as “mesmerizing” and “gorgeous,” with rich colors and deep blacks that make streaming content a genuine pleasure. Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 was the first Chromebook to feature a QLED display, delivering 118% of the sRGB color spectrum with vibrant, accurate colors perfect for video watching.
If you prefer a larger screen for comfortable viewing, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 offers a spacious 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen paired with exceptional upward-firing DTS speakers that reviewers praise as surprisingly good for the price point.
