Most modern computers come with a DVD ROM drive. DVDs will not play in a CD ROM. Purchase or download a free program to watch your DVDs if your computer does not come equipped with one. If a program came with your computer, such as Windows Media Player, it will automatically run when you put a DVD into the drive.
Another option is to have an external DVD drive that hooks directly into your computer with a USB cable. This can be used on all of the different computers in your home, so it offers convenience when wanting to watch a movie in a different room.
For a monthly fee, you can instantly stream DVDs to your computer from Netflix. You have the option of watching the film directly on your computer or using a cable to hook it to your television to watch the movie on a larger screen. On its website, Netflix states that it carries more than 12,000 movies that you can watch this way. You can also have DVDs mailed to you through its subscription service that you can put directly in your DVD drive.
Hulu is a website that does not require a monthly fee that you can stream movies from. It does not have as large as a selection as some of the paid sites, but it is a legal site with free movies.
Downloading DVDs to your computer for free from websites that use Peer-to-Peer sharing is illegal and infringes on copyright laws. Violating copyright laws can result in fines up to $150,000 per movie downloaded illegally. Research any website fully before downloading from it. Carefully read the terms and conditions before registering or creating an account.