After spending the last hours to get this to work, I think I share my experience with the community:
I first updated Windows 7 to Windows 8 and PDVD12 did run without any problems after applying the last patch.
The problem seems only to appear with a fresh, from the scratch installed Windows 8:
1. Installed PDVD12, only starts as "Administrator", activated, applied patch
2. At the end of the patch install, boxed was ticked for "Launch PDVD",
- PDVD start with the scan for items in Library and shuts down after a few seconds.
- PDVD won't start at double-click on Desktop icon.
- PDVD start with "Run as Administrator" - Windows pop-up to allow PDVD system changes
- Drag and drop doesn't work, but can browse on drives and start videos.
3. Run Window "Program Compatibility Troubleshooter",
- Incompatibility with "PDVDLaunchPolicy.exe" detected
Windows 8 suggests compatibility mode for Windows XP SP3,
- PDVD starts obviously with "Run as Administrator", because got the same pop-up,
to allow system changes
4. Changed "PDVDLaunchPolicy.exe" and PowerDVD12.exe" to compatible mode for Windows 7, disabled the "Run as Administrator option - PDVD starts fine from the desktop icon (no allow system changes pop-up).
- "Drag & Drop of files on to the PDVD Windows to play/show the files (pictures/videos) does work as well.
So it looks like on a clean install, PDVD12 has some problems with the UAC or other system rights,
but with the above mentioned changes, will run without any problems (so far).
Cheers,
Wolfgang