codec for WMP11 - cannot play some avi files

Hey. Im using wmp11 with vista and am getting an error when trying to
play some avi files. I downloaded 'Vista Codec Package 4.5.3 beta 1' -
but still having same problem. Also tried playing it with different
players (VLC media player, Nero showtime). Anyone know best way to go
from here? Exact error is "Windows Media Player cannot play the file.
The Player might not support the file type or might not support the
codec that was used to compress the file." Any help appreciated.
Driving me nuts so it is!

"bazzer" <> wrote:

> Hey. Im using wmp11 with vista and am getting an error when trying to
> play some avi files. I downloaded 'Vista Codec Package 4.5.3 beta 1' -
> but still having same problem. Also tried playing it with different
> players (VLC media player, Nero showtime). Anyone know best way to go
> from here? Exact error is "Windows Media Player cannot play the file.
> The Player might not support the file type or might not support the
> codec that was used to compress the file." Any help appreciated.
> Driving me nuts so it is!

When you attempt to play the .avi file, and it fails, there may be a small
red icon next to the title of the media on the right hand frame in WMP.
Click this icon, and follow the instructions. Chances are you might find the
right codec that way.

I can't tell you what codec WMP can't find on your system, but I've seen
this error occur with Xvid on several Vista Home Premiums. Xvid can be
downloaded from http://www.xvid.org/.

Charlie42

Download a run a free nice little utility called GSpot (Google). It will
analyze the clip for you and tell you what codec it uses.


I Bleed Blue and Gold
GO BEARS!


"bazzer" <> wrote in message
news: oups.com...
> Hey. Im using wmp11 with vista and am getting an error when trying to
> play some avi files. I downloaded 'Vista Codec Package 4.5.3 beta 1' -
> but still having same problem. Also tried playing it with different
> players (VLC media player, Nero showtime). Anyone know best way to go
> from here? Exact error is "Windows Media Player cannot play the file.
> The Player might not support the file type or might not support the
> codec that was used to compress the file." Any help appreciated.
> Driving me nuts so it is!
>

cheers guys. tried both suggestions. cant find exactly what codec it
needs though. even using GSpot(which is pretty handy by the way and
def gonna use that in future) it says its unknown file type. dunno
why. its an avi file. maybe its corrupt or something. though when i
downloaded it off limewire, it says DVDrip in the title. googled that
and it says thats a type of file, and theres codecs for that. so might
try that. or might just delete the movie and try downloading it again
from another source. too troublesome... cheers anyway.

Is this site of any help?:

http://www.fourcc.org/


I Bleed Blue and Gold
GO BEARS!


"bazzer" <> wrote in message
news:adcdcc72-42f9-42ca-9774-...
>
> cheers guys. tried both suggestions. cant find exactly what codec it
> needs though. even using GSpot(which is pretty handy by the way and
> def gonna use that in future) it says its unknown file type. dunno
> why. its an avi file. maybe its corrupt or something. though when i
> downloaded it off limewire, it says DVDrip in the title. googled that
> and it says thats a type of file, and theres codecs for that. so might
> try that. or might just delete the movie and try downloading it again
> from another source. too troublesome... cheers anyway.

thats a handy site. must bookmark it. but iv just given up on that avi
file to be honest. i could keep trying to download codecs to try and
fix, but since i dont know which ones i need, id just be installing
loads of codecs on my system, which i dont really wanna do.
downloading the file again from limewire, but from a different source,
and hopefully wont have same problem. Most avi files are ok. Only some
that are the problem. Maybe after a while ill see the pattern, and
learn what downloads are causing the problem, or what particular codec
their missing. But until then i guess its just gonna be hit and miss.
But hopefully more hit, after the tips ye guys have given me....

Cheers.