HP MediaSmart DVD no longer working, Windows 8 Pro

I have a HP Pavilion Elite 599.uk PC, and have recently upgraded my PC to Windows 8 Pro. However, the DVD software that was installed (HP MediaSmart DVD) crashes upon starting and so can no longer play films! Is there an update somewhere that can fix this, or a newer software that I can install? The PC originally had the capability to play BluRay films too.

Upon installing Windows 8, I initially factory reset my PC in Windows 7 (with the recovery media), and did the update to Windows 8 as soon as an account was created after the factory reset - so I should not expect any issues with conflicting software?

Also, I have already tried it in compatibility mode for Windows 7 with no avail - and also tried under administrator privileges, also to no avail.