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Whatever programs you're already using, if you consume audio/visual media on your gombuter, you'll want to add the latest version of VLC media player to your arsenal.

It will play back just about any media format you can throw at it -- replacing Quicktime Player, Windows Media Player, Winamp, etc etc. It runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and other systems.

VLC happily sidesteps DVD regioning annoyances -- AND it'll rip your DVDs onto your harddrive for you to enjoy at your convenience. Lifehacker walks you through how to do this and other tricks.