MPEG file in Powerpoint - sometimes starts, sometimes doesn't ???

[Guest]

I have inserted an MPEG file into a slide. In SlideShow mode (file set to
automatic start) it sometimes starts and sometimes doesn't. It almost never
starts the first time the slide comes up. I can usually get it to start by
backing up the show and re-displaying the slide. When it doesn't play, the
movie frame flickers but nothing happens. I've played with the "rewind"
option and it doesn't seem to make a difference. I've also tried adjusting
the animation effects (timing, start with previous) but it doesn't seem to
make a difference.

I just want the movie to start reliably when the slide is displayed.

 

[Austin Myers]

Try moving the presentation and video file to a shorter path. Example
"C:\test".


Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

PowerPoint Video and PowerPoint Sound Solutions www.pfcmedia.com

 

[Guest]

How big is the file? Any chance it's just taking awhile to call up and start
playing the movie?

 

[Guest]

It is about 30MB. When it starts, it starts right away, but sometimes it
just flashes and stops. Sometimes it will start several times in a row as I
go back and forth across the slide in SlideShow mode. When it doesn't start,
it just sits there.

How big is the file? Any chance it's just taking awhile to call up and start
playing the movie?

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP]
http://www.echosvoice.com
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/

I have inserted an MPEG file into a slide. In SlideShow mode (file set to
automatic start) it sometimes starts and sometimes doesn't. It almost never
starts the first time the slide comes up. I can usually get it to start by
backing up the show and re-displaying the slide. When it doesn't play, the
movie frame flickers but nothing happens. I've played with the "rewind"
option and it doesn't seem to make a difference. I've also tried adjusting
the animation effects (timing, start with previous) but it doesn't seem to
make a difference.

I just want the movie to start reliably when the slide is displayed.

 

[Guest]

The file is currently in a relatively short path, but when it starts, it
sometimes will start several times in a row (as I go back and forth across
the slide) without hesitation. Other times it will not start at all.

Try moving the presentation and video file to a shorter path. Example
"C:\test".


Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

PowerPoint Video and PowerPoint Sound Solutions www.pfcmedia.com

 

[Austin Myers]

Let me suggest that you give PFCMedia a try. (Free download from
www.pfcmedia.com)

Be sure to holler back if this does not solve the problem.

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

PowerPoint Video and PowerPoint Sound Solutions www.pfcmedia.com

The file is currently in a relatively short path, but when it starts, it
sometimes will start several times in a row (as I go back and forth across
the slide) without hesitation. Other times it will not start at all.

 

[Guest]

That's fine, but why not try Austin's suggestion anyway? It doesn't take
long, and it just may resolve the issue.

I had this conversation with someone on another board awhile ago. It went
like this:
User: My files are on a short path, so that's not the problem.
Me: Are the files in a folder in "My Documents," by any chance?
User: Why, yes, they are.
Me: Then your path is something along these lines -- C:\Documents and
Settings\eswinfor\My Documents\foldername\presentationname.ppt -- and that
isn't short.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP]
http://www.echosvoice.com
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/

The file is currently in a relatively short path, but when it starts, it
sometimes will start several times in a row (as I go back and forth across
the slide) without hesitation. Other times it will not start at all.

 

[Guest]

Echo was right, I should have followed your instructions to see if it might
fix the problem - apologies. However, even with the short path the same
symptom is present. It doesn't play the first time I display the slide, but
most of the time plays the second time.

I downloaded PFCMedia and tried to insert the clip. It "test/played" the
clip just fine in the small PFCMedia window but when it completed and I
clicked "process/insert" it aborted PowerPoint.

Almost nothing else is running on the PC, it is a 3Ghz Dell 8300 with 1G of
RAM. I am running XP Pro SP2 and Office 2003 with all currrent
updates/patches.

Any other suggestions?