Instruction: Generate an answer to the question by utilizing the information contained in the document.

Input:
Question: I want to play language DVDs on my HP Notebook with Windows XP.  Is this all I need to do that?
Document: I have a HP mini and was in need of a cd/dvd drive, and because I did not want to purchase or trade in for a new computer I seached for a external drive. This product already has great reviews and compared to others I came across it is more compatible and affordable. It arrived early in a secure package, no instructions, no lable, just the product and cords needed.
When I tried to plug it into my HP laptop's USB port, it cut off access to my other external drive and did not play DVD's, probably because it was built for earlier windows versions (before Windows Vista). I bought it to replace my laptop's own DVD drive, which had become unreliable.
It works fine to play DVDs. Haven't used it in other applications yet. As others have said you have to download a media player if you have Windows 8. I used VLC media free download.
I purchased this player for my 9 year old daughters Acer Aspire One Netbook D255E for her to play DVDs, games and to load Norton 360 on the netbook. Item arrived quickly in a box combined with other items from Amazon, simply wrapped in one layer of bubble wrap and put in the box. There were no receipts etc for the shipment, and only a small booklet for installation on older Windows OS systems.
I was looking for an external dvd player so my kids could watch dvds on my Asus Eee netbook, and that is exactly what I got. I was nervous about the product when I ordered it because some of the negative reviews said it didn't play DVDs, only CDs. My netbook has Windows 7 starter edition, which doesn't come with a dvd media player, so I went online to cnet.com and downloaded VLC media player for free, which allowed my netbook to play DVDs.
I don't know what special extra software it might need to get it to play on my Yoga 2 Windows 8.1, but couldn't figure it out; and I'm not usually a complete dunce with computers. However, seller took it back, sent me postage to get it picked up, no charge on my part,and gave me a refund, so can't complain overall.
With my old OS, Windows XP, it was truly plug and play--set itself up to work with Windows Media Player the first time I connected it. Its manually operated drawer reminds me of a little toy record player I had when I was a child. But it plays movies very well--at least as well as my original drive--and seems like it will last as long as I'm gentle with it.
Not much to say other than it worked out of the box in windows, Linux and to reinstall windows 7 that came with my notebook.I can't speak for durability since I only had it a month, but it seems to be constructed well, especially for the price.I have not used it for writting CD's or DVD's so I can't comment on that aspect.
Installation was plug and play on my ASUS notebook which does not include a built-in DVD/CD Player. Play function works well. Haven't tried the write function yet.
This DVD player is ridiculously inexpensive, sleek, and fits into a side pouch on the neoprene netbook carrier that I bought here on amazon. It works perfectly and takes up barely any more space than the space of a DVD itself. I recommend it. Go onto the web to find out what *free* download you need to watch DVDs on the Netbook. Microsoft sells some sort of product, but clever geeks have figured out (and happily publish) a free work-around.
Answer: Are they cd's or dvd's?  Either one  should play.  I'm using Windows XP and have used the drive for both.