Unable To Play Videos

[jchappo]

Recently had broadband installed so thought I would try some of these videos.

I have downloaded Gumbyland and Stus Bandsaw to start off with.

Neither of these will play in Windows Media Player, or any other player or conversion software that I have.

What am I missing?

Help please.

[Gumby]

First off, a stupid question...have you downloaded the videos using Azureus ?

Secondly, if you have, then do you have the latest version of Windows media Player ?

You can also try the videos using BS Player, which is a player available free on the internet (type it in Google and you'll find it)

[tonysa]

adding to Gumby's post, both those files are just over 40Mb in size and both are "avi" files.

Another thought, are you running a pc or one of those other funny things to do with fruit LOL

cheers
tonysa

[jchappo]

Hi fellas,
Thanks for the quick responses.
I have downloaded both files using Azureus.
Gumbyland comes in at 40Mb, Stus Bandsaw comes in at 64.5Mb.
I am using Windows XP with all the latest updates, including Windows Media Player 11 - which I have just downloaded - I was using WMP 10.

If I double click on either of the .avi files, WMP comes up with an error and tries to phone home.

If I play the files in Sony Vegas, I only get the soundtrack - no video.

Just out of interest, I tried opening the files on my daughters laptop.

The files open in WMP, but again only play the sound. WMP then suggests I find the DX50 codec which it needs to play this video.

Downloaded the DX50 codec, installed it (it said I already have it) and reran the files with the same results.

Its got me beat - maybe try it on my sons computer next.

[Gumby]

Try downloading Divx Player in preference to the BS player I mentioned before. There's just been an update to DivX player and you get all the lateset codecs with it. It sounds like the codec is your problem.

I think the codec we used is divX 6.4.0

Rather than double clicking on the file, open DivX player and load it by going to file/open in the top menu.

here's the link
DivX Player (http://www.divx.com/divx/windows/)

[tonysa]

i'd agree with gumby, gotta be a missing codec, plays on my WMP 10.0 (XP pro) but I've got the divx player too so they prossibly share codecs

The other player you could try which I find works very well is KoolPlaya from http://www.koolplaya.de

[jchappo]

Yes, the codec it is!
Tried to play on my son's computer - perfect!

Downloaded a free routine called GSpot (http://www.headbands.com/gspot/v26x/index.html)
Open the offending file in GSpot, it quickly analyses it and tells you which codecs are missing.
I was missing DivX6.2.2. Searched Google, downloaded and installed. Works perfectly.

Had my Gumbyland tour - now off to see Stu's Bandsaw :D:D:D

[Gumby]

GSpot, thats the little program Stuart put me on to and I couldn't think of the name. Anyway, glad it's sorted. What a crap start to your video viewing...Gumbyland. :rolleyes:

:)

[Abug]

Here is a link to another media player called VLC Media Player (http://www.videolan.org/).

[Stuart]

I've become quite partial to VLC, on both PC and Mac. (Now that I have both - my new MacBook Pro - stunning machine, and I can boot it up into Mac OSX or Windows XP at will :D )