Troubleshooting with AVI file.

[Guest]

Hello. I'm trying to import a video file to WMM, but every time I do I get an
error 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 tried importing other AVI files and everything was okay, so maybe there's
something wrong with the file? Still I'd like to know what kind of codec is
that and where can I get it. My WMM is set to download them automatically,
though... I've tried converting the file to MPEG, but it gives an error
message again. I don't know why. It looks like a normal AVI file to me, it
plays normally in RealPlayer. If you have any clue at all, what could I do to
fix this, please, do share. I'm out of ideas. Thanks muchly in advance.

Daria

 

[John Kelly]

Hello there,

Does it play well in Windows Media Player (that's the real test)

Are you sure its not a "real" media file encapsulated in an AVI
container....that's what happens with a lot of formats, I don't know if that
can be done weal RA files.

You can take a look at my website and click on GREAT LINKS > KNOWLEDGE BASE >
VIDEO HELP Its the best resource I have come across on file
converters.....might be worth a look

 

[Cari \(MS MVP\)]

AVI files can be compresed or uncompressed. An uncompressed AVI will take
up approximately 12gb of hard drive space per hour.....so you probably won't
find many online - and if you did, you probably wouldn't try downloading
them.

So we come to the conclusion that the AVI file you want to play is
compressed... and in order to be able to play it, you need to know which
particular codec it is compressed with.

Happily someone wrote something that will help
http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

Let G-Spot analyze the AVI and once you know which codec encoded and
compressed the file, you can download them, install them and the file will
play.

 

[Pop]

That's a great tool; thanks!
....

So we come to the conclusion that the AVI file you want to play is
compressed... and in order to be able to play it, you need to know which
particular codec it is compressed with.

Happily someone wrote something that will help
http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

Let G-Spot analyze the AVI and once you know which codec encoded and
compressed the file, you can download them, install them and the file will
play.

....

 

[John Kelly]

Cari,

Most assuredly incorrect. A full DV-AVI file of one hour duration and
somewhere between 12 and 16GB "IS" compressed. The same DV-AVI file in an
un-compressed format "RAW" would be around 65GB or more, I have one such
file here. It is though quite irrelevant as to whether it is compressed or
not, a CODEC is ALWAYS required, even if it is just the base codec needed to
transfer the data to the screen . It is the conduit that the data must flow
along..

The original poster is using a REAL MEDIA PLAYER to play his file and
not WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER...see the message. It would seem reasonable to
assume that the codec required is one that REAL players use and is not used
on his system by Movie Maker (Thats the problem he is having) and therefore
not by Windows Media Player at this time. The original poster has already
been encouraged to play the file in media player. Assuming the software does
its job it will automatically download the needed codec and the OP will be
on course towards a satisfactory result

John Kelly
www.the-kellys.org
www.the-kellys.co.uk