File conversion won't play in Movie Maker - codec problem?

[starfish6188]

I have a camera which only uploads to a .mov format. I have gone through
numerous software to convert files to a .avi format and think I have finally
found one that works - StreamClip. The trouble is I am still unable to play
this in Windows Movie Maker as when I try to import the file to MovieMaker I
get the following message:

The file "cannot be imported because the codec required to play the file is
not installed on your computer. If you have already tried to download and
install the codec, close and restart Windows Movie Maker, and then try to
import the file again."

I have selected the 'download codecs automatically' option, but with no
success. Is this just a codec problem or something different? Can you
suggest how I might fix the problem?

Thank you

 

[John Inzer]

I have a camera which only uploads to a .mov format. I have gone
through numerous software to convert files to a .avi format and think
I have finally found one that works - StreamClip. The trouble is I
am still unable to play this in Windows Movie Maker as when I try to
import the file to MovieMaker I get the following message:

The file "cannot be imported because the codec required to play the
file is not installed on your computer. If you have already tried to
download and install the codec, close and restart Windows Movie
Maker, and then try to import the file again."

I have selected the 'download codecs automatically' option, but with
no success. Is this just a codec problem or something different?
Can you suggest how I might fix the problem?

Thank you

==============================
First...Movie Maker can have issues with
..avi files...so if downloading a codec does
not clear this up you may have better success
converting to .wmv.

If you download the following free utility
it will identify the .avi codec you need.

GSpot
http://www.headbands.com/gspot/download.html

GSpot Super Quick Start
http://www.headbands.com/gspot/v26x/quick_start.html

Assessing Video Files and Codecs with GSpot
http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/PapaJohn/68/Gspot.aspx

You don't have to install it...just open it and then
drag/drop the .avi file on it for identification.

--

John Inzer MS-MVP
Digital Media Experience

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

 

[starfish6188]

Thank-you for the advice - I seem to have made some progress with GSpot Super
Quick Start - it will play the audio in the preview box but flatly refuses to
play the video part of the file. Any idea what I can do to get both working
together?

Many thanks for your help with this

===============================

 

[John Inzer]

Thank-you for the advice - I seem to have made some progress with
GSpot Super Quick Start - it will play the audio in the preview box
but flatly refuses to play the video part of the file. Any idea what
I can do to get both working together?

Many thanks for your help with this

======================
I'm thinking it may be a better option to
convert the original .mov file to .wmv.

The free Quick Media Converter may be worth a try:

Quick Media Converter
http://tinyurl.com/a35y6n
or...
http://www.cocoonsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=92&Itemid=72

Open the program.

Drag / Drop the .mov file into the program

Click the WMV icon on the tool bar

Choose...Windows Media Player format .wmv (custom resize)

Click...Start Conversion button

--

John Inzer MS-MVP
Digital Media Experience

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

 

[starfish6188]

Thank you SO MUCH! I have literally tried to solve this problem for months!

 

[John Inzer]

Thank you SO MUCH! I have literally tried to solve this problem for
months!

==================
You're welcome.

Thanks for the update.


--

John Inzer MS-MVP
Digital Media Experience

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk