Registering MPG2 codec in the right place

[Jeff]

I have Powerpoint XP installed on a Dell D800 laptop. I have the latest
verision of Direct X and the Video Drivers.
DVD Software packages: WinDVD 4.0 and PowerDVD 4.0


I insert video file reference points all the time for playing video in
powerpoint.
I have read all concerning documents listed on various websites and have
attempted there solution to no avail.
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I am listing my problem below with the steps and questions that I have.

Problem:
MPG2 video plays in Media Player 9 and DVD software installed with the mpg2
codec; Powerpoint will not play the video at all.

Troubleshooting:
1. Uninstalled Office XP and deleted all registry entries and attempted to
us PowerPoint viewer 2003 for a test, but this did not work.
2. Installed multiple DVD Player software packages. Results: Did not fix
the problem. Removed The WinDVD
4.0
3. Copied the 2 codec files needed for MPG2 playaback to C:\Program
Files\Common Files\mpg <--(Created dir)
a. Ran regsvr32 /u on the 2 files from the original install location.
b. Ran regsvr32 on the 2 files in the newly created directory "mpg" to
re-register them.
Result: Powerpoint now plays the Video in the ppt show, which is a
positive result,
however, now Media Player 9 gives a message error
downloading codec but
still plays the video.
4. It appears that if any other codec is installed that will play mpg2 file
types it breaks Powerpoint's ability to play the file properly.
5. The PowerDVD Codec IS the only one on this laptop that I can sucessfully
get to play the Video w/Powerpoint. All the other codecs will not
work from there default location or if I copy and register them in the
Common Files. And the Codec has to be registered under Common Files and not
the default location.
6. Tried to register the Codec from the default location and Common Files
but this also breaks PowerPoint XP, but doesn't break Media Player 9 or
PowerDVD.

Questions:
1. Why is the PowerDVD the only codec that will work?
2. How does PowerPoint XP register pointers to files that differs from
Media Player 9?
3. Why will Media Player 9 report error downloading codec even though the
codec is registered in a different location?
4. Short of completely rebuilding the laptop are there any other things to
try?

 

[Echo S]

You might take a look at
http://www.soniacoleman.com/Tutorials/PowerPoint/multimedia.htm

PPT uses the MCI Media Player, not the Windows Media Player.

 

[Adam Crowley]

I'm afraid I'm going to be lazy (i.e. not try to answer all your questions)
and suggest something that may well solve your problem.
There's an MPEG2 decoder/player at www.elecard.com that I've had 100%
success with. The free trial puts a tiny logo in the corner of clips but
this is removed when you register for a small fee.
When you install I'd advise that you don't agree to register it as the
player for all associated file types but the decoder will still register for
Media Player and MCI. In my experience.

 

[Austin Myers]

Jeff,

You have me completely confused. Are you talking about DVD files or Mpeg-2
files that have been ripped from the DVD? Are you saying you can't get any
Mpeg-2 files to play? I don't understand all the references about DVDs.
(They have nothing to do with PPT.)

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team