DVD Decoder Suggestions

[Guest]

I've recently found out that a video file that refused to play in PowerPoint
was encoded in MPEG-2.

What are good DVD decoders and/or codecs for Media Player 5.1 also known as
mplay32.exe?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Austin Myers]

There are a number of different decoders but unless you know what was used
to create the file it's a guessing game. You could use a utility like GSpot
to examine the file and see what codec was used, then locate the codec,
install it and give it a go.

Alternately you might try an add in I recently released that will do it all
automatically for you. You can down load the fully functiong trial version
at www.pfcmedia.com and give it a try.

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

Solutions to Multimedia in PowerPoint www.pfcmedia.com

 

[Guest]

Yeah, I used GSpot, but that didn't get me anywhere. MediaInfo is what lead
me to the video being encoded in MPEG-2.

Thanks Austin, but you've suggested this to me before and I'm looking for a
free solution. Your product is a great idea though.

I just need something that will install in a few minutes and get clients
ready to go for anything.

Someone intalled DVDCAM3 (whatever that is) and it worked for them.
Inserting video files as an object forces the correct player to be used, but
leaves a little control bar at the bottom with the Play, Stop, etc... buttons
and a position indicator.

 

[Austin Myers]

Yup, free is always good if you can find it. <g>

Here is what I suspect is happening. The MCI player is very picky about
what qualifies as an mpeg or mpeg-2. (It pretty much follows the Redbook
standard.) The unfortunate thing is there are tons of creation tools that
allow people to create these files in a manner that does not meet the
requirements. They allow users to output non-standard sizes, frames per
second, resolution, color depth, codecs, etc.

As I see it you have a couple of options, obtain the original media file and
use a professional tool (usually costs a few dollars) to encode it in a
manner that meets the Redbook standard, or as you have suggested use the
Windows Media Player in the presentation.

As an FYI, you can use my add in freely for two weeks and discard it if you
don't think it's worth the $50. I do not limit the functionality in anyway
during the trial period so help yourself.

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

Solutions to Multimedia in PowerPoint www.pfcmedia.com

 

[David M. Marcovitz]

I think that is just what Austin had in mind when he wrote PFCMedia. I
think that he has encountered so many people (including himself) that
want something that will install in a few minutes and get clients ready
for anything. I like free solutions, too, but sometimes, the perfect
solution just costs a little bit of money.
--David

--
David M. Marcovitz
Microsoft PowerPoint MVP
Director of Graduate Programs in Educational Technology
Loyola College in Maryland
Author of _Powerful PowerPoint for Educators_
http://www.loyola.edu/education/PowerfulPowerPoint/

 

[Echo S]

I've seen http://www.elecard.com mentioned here for an MPEG-2 decoder. But I
believe it also costs $$ -- unless you want the elecard watermark on the
video.