DVD on new iMac won't play

I'm trying to play a commercially made DVD on my new iMac with Mt. Lion.  The preferences are set to play automatically when a DVD is inserted.  The title page shows up, but it won't play.  When I click the play button, the 'stop' button flashes momentarily, then shows the 'play' button again.  I've tried to play it using menu commands, the space bar and hitting the play button.  Each time the play triangle symbol flashes to the parallel lines, but goes right back to the play triangle.  This is a new imac.  I've not tried to play a DVD on it before.  ANyone have any ideas?

Since you list your operating system as 10.7.4, I would guess that this is NOT a "New" iMac.  10.8 has been the installed OS on new systems for quite some time.  Also the new iMacs releaased last month do not contain an optical disc device.  If you need a DVD player (or recorder) you will have to buy an external SuperDrive (or other similar device).
Next thing when trying to play a DVD for the first time, there is normally a DVD Region selection window that opens.  There are several regions in the world and the US and some other countries use region 1.  You need to have admin privlieges to make the change.  ALSO REMEMBER that there are only a total of five changes you can make to the region setting.  Once you make the fifth change, and that number includes the first region you select, you are stuck with remaining on the fifth change you made.
Now if the region had been changed by someone previously and you are already on the fifth change and the region selected for the fifth change does not match your DVD;s region, well you are out of luck.
You may want to check on the region setting info here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2397 
Note that the region code setting is hardware based and will not be changed by even a complete erase of the hard drive and reinstalling an OS.
Another thing to keep in mind is that recent updates to the OS will sometimes give "funny" results when you are using an external monitor (or projector).  Copyright/Digital RightManagment will sometimes prevent display with anything plugged in to the Thunderbolt or MiniDisplay Port.

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