Need WMP codec? (to play .avi ....)

[D.]

I re-installed windows XP. Now I can't play .AVI movie files. I know
I need a codec ro something because I went through this before.

What & where can I get the codec for XP? I do have Direct 9 hotfix
installed...
tnx

P.S. why doesn't WMP have at least a link to where to get what i
need. Last time i remember going through the same mess getting a
codec or whatyever it is called All it plays when playing AVI's is
the soundtrack & visualizationbss.

 

[Hemlock]

Part of the problem is that there are many codec.
New ones come out each month.
You are asking windows to point out other vendors software.

I have a number of avi codex installed.


Instead of complaining please use the tools you have, do a google
search for avi codec.

http://avicodec.duby.info/

http://www.divx-digest.com/software/divxcodec.html

http://www.softpile.com/Multimedia/Video/Review_33080_index.html


And when a new codec comes out in a .avi file, you may need to repeat
the process.

Nothing is static, codec are constantly changing.


HTH

Hemlock

 

[D.]

Part of the problem is that there are many codec.
New ones come out each month.
You are asking windows to point out other vendors software.
I have a number of avi codex installed.
Instead of complaining please use the tools you have, do a google
search for avi codec.
http://avicodec.duby.info/
http://www.divx-digest.com/software/divxcodec.html
http://www.softpile.com/Multimedia/Video/Review_33080_index.html
And when a new codec comes out in a .avi file, you may need to repeat
the process. Nothing is static, codec are constantly changing.

Instead of complaining? A simple statement suggesting Microsoft point
out some well used & working codecs that work with most of what is out
there.

& thanks for pointing out I should do a search - however, I did that
BEFORE I posted. (I wasn't being lazy this time!!)

& that is why in the heck I posted... You said it yourself there are
many codecs out there. I couldn't get a clear picture of what
codec(s) I should get. & rather than blindly try to blunder into
something, I wanted to see some replies stating what AVI codec(s) they
use, & maybe a helpful link to where to get it.

Furthermore, I stated I have re-installed Windows. I reinstalled for
a reason. Intermittent crashes. Maybe only every 2 days or 3 days or
even more, but a pain in the butt going on 1&1/2 months. Couldn't
trace the problem. So this time I am trying to avoid installing all
kinds of crap under the sun into Windows. That's what happened
before, installing non-critical updates & this & that... So only
what need I wish to install now. I don't want 23 codecs installed so
I can see an AVI in WMP.

Big Mac

 

[Chris Lanier [MVP]]

Hi, AVI is simply a container that many different audio and video codec's
can be used inside of. Microsoft is working to help the basic user have an
easier time with this in WMP 10.

Since Microsoft doesn't have a license to distribute these third party
codec's that's why it's a bit harder. They can't just put the codec's on
their server and have them download as they can do with their codec's. They
also can not put them in a basic Windows install.

Basically all you need is a single DirectShow filter that can decode most
MPEG-4 based, the best one of these is called ffdshow and can be found at
SourceForge.net. ffdshow will decode DivX 3,4,5, XviD, 3ivX and more.

If ffdshow doesn't decode the content, then look to a little program called
"GSpot". This will provide you with the FourCC code for the video codec and
will also give you information about the audio codec used.
(http://www.headbands.com/gspot/)

Lastly, narrowing down your search to a newsgroup that deals with
audio/video in Windows is a good idea. If you had searched in the Windows
Media Player newsgroups you would have found your answer in a matter of
seconds.

Most important of all is to only download codec's from *good, known sites*.
Anywhere that you see a "codec pack" for download you should run away from.
"Codec packs" are evil and include pirated and hacked codec's that will
screw up your PC. So only download from good sites, ffdshow is a known good
decoder and will help you I would bet. Other then that goto www.fourcc.org
and it will tell you who owns the codec so you can download from them and
not some random site on the web.

Thanks.

 

[Plato]

I re-installed windows XP. Now I can't play .AVI movie files. I know
I need a codec ro something because I went through this before.

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootlist/160.htm#1

 

[D.]

Basically all you need is a single DirectShow filter that can decode most
MPEG-4 based, the best one of these is called ffdshow and can be found at
SourceForge.net. ffdshow will decode DivX 3,4,5, XviD, 3ivX and more.

Thanks much. yes, I did actually download and try to install one of
those "packages", but it was screwed up and didn't open correctly.
Just as you warned maybe bad or pirated or badly written. Thankfully
it did not install. But I did get ffshow & it did the trick, thanks
again...

D.