Cannot play some videos

[LSBob]

I am running Win XP SP2 but some of the videos posted I cannot play. They are downloaded but Windows Media Player says the file is corrupted or unknown codec. I down loaded the latest Win Media11 yesterday and have tools options set to download codecs automatically and from the microsoft site I did download some other codecs software.
Now when I try to play I am informed that it doesn't have that codec or is corrupt. Last one I tried was the posting by Hodgo on Iraq. It could not play the .mpg file. and others it did not like were .wmv yet those file types are ticked under options as allowable types.
I have no problems with Youtube and similar or playing from CDs or DVDs.:mad::mad:

[DiscoCam]

Hi LSBOB

This is most definately a missing Codec thing. Windows MP is not really smart enough to go and get the relevant codec even though that's what you have told it to do. I haven't seen the video you mentioned but you could try Googling K-Lite Codec Pack Basic and downloading and installing same. This should give you just about every major video codec.

Cheers

[abaddonxi]

Or download VLC media player.

It will play just about anything, and less irritating that WMP.

Cheers
Simon

[Rovernaut]

I'm not being a post whore as some one seemed to have called me for this reply.:o

But check your media player media file settings and see if the file association is checked.
I had a similar problem recently with a mates lap top, certain media types were unchecked and it wouldn't play them.

PS sorry for wasting bandwith for this reply:(

[Dauntless]

I agree with all of the above posts. I will also add that the DIVX codec is quite popular these days, so I'd recommend downloading that.

[LSBob]

Thanks for the replies. I downloaded the K-Lite Codec pack, restarted and redownloaded the video but same error. Right click the file and properties it shows that it is a WMV. But some WNV Windows Media will play and others it spits the dummy.
The file associations are ticked, first thing I looked at and the DIVx codec came with the K-Lite pack . Might have to try VLC media player .

Thanks for suggestions.

[harlie]

Windows XP is missing heaps of codedecs - I setup A media PC back in 2004 with XP: out of the box Windows XP media Centre Edition - the version for recording/watching TV can't actually show dig TV in AUS.

I have a little application that will analyse a media file and list what codedecs are required - video and sound. PM me with your details if you would like it....

[Aaron]

I swear with VLC player, if i put a slice of burn toast in my dvd player, it would pick something up.

[GeorgeZ]

The mother of all video codecs is Ace Media Codecs which is a free download.
I use this and it plays anything.

Google it

[Hunchy]

Strongly suggset downloading VLC media player. One of its many strong points is that it doesn't rely on external codecs, they are all hardwired into the software. Other good things:

it's free
it's skinnable (so it can look like WMP)
it plays just about anything

Great little piece of software.

I've had problems with codec packs, I dunno why but after installing them some things play, but others (that used to play) don't any more.

[RaZz0R]

I have a little application that will analyse a media file and list what codedecs are required - video and sound. PM me with your details if you would like it....


That application is called "G_Spot" and is a free download. I know that reads a little wrong but the app is really good & shows you what codec your missing :)

As to the mention of installing codecs & then finding somethings that were working - are not working anylonger - is normally down to installing a full codec pack instead of a single codec.

[Gigitt]

VLC media Player.
VideoLAN - Free Software and Open Source video streaming solution for every OS! (http://www.videolan.org)

it works... its free...
best of all it does not require any other download of extra video codec to play movies.
it just works

:thumbup: