Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Geek Speak => Topic started by: chris on 22/01/2011 12:48:58
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One of my computers refuses to display video; the audio works and can be heard, but the player window remains blank.
The same symptom is present in WMP (Windows media player) as well as VLC.
I thought this was a codec issue, so I tried installing a variety of codec packs, including K-Lite, but the computer still resolutely refuses to show anything.
The codecs I require for the material I want to view are, apparently, installed on the machine.
Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how did you cure it?
It's almost as though something is interfering with video decoding upstream of the codec pack install.
Chris
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I just deleted all the Microsoft Software off of my computer. It took care of the problem [O8)]
What file format? DVD? Blue-Ray? MPG, AVI, etc?
Does Flash work?
Does ANYTHING other than music play with Windows Media Player?
Have you tried updating the driver for the Video Card? Any pertinent errors reported in the device manager?
I have been using a player called "mplayer".
http://www.mplayerhq.hu/
It has quite good codec support (except encrypted WMV files)
I believe you can run it with Windows.
I've gotten used to the basic interface which is very bare bones, but works, and has some nice features like variable speed playback. However, it can be embedded in other players & skins too.
Generally with the basic player, I have to open it with the files, and typically set it as my default player for each file type.
Do you have Intervideo or WinDVD? Often distributed with Dell computers. I don't remember if it did well with MPEGs though. Excellent DVD playback.
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No video container will work. The audio plays fine, indicating that the file's intact, and it also plays on other machines, but my main computer won't touch it.
I've uninstalled and re-installed a sucession of codec packs, but I cannot fathom what the problem is.
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I believe the audio and video codecs are separate, so one can play while the other doesn't.
Do other video files play on your main computer?
I did short google search for:
"determining video codec"
and it came up with a bunch of utilities that would help sort out which codec is which.
Your player should also specify the codec.
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Are you pointing WMP at the file from the WMP library, or double clicking the file from Windows Explorer to launch it?
(I'm wondering if some other video player has "hijacked" the auto-launch feature but that player is not working properly.)
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I thought this was a codec issue, so I tried installing a variety of codec packs, including K-Lite, but the computer still resolutely refuses to show anything.
The people who produce the free K-lite codec pack (http://codecguide.com/) also offer a free media player : Media Player Classic Home Cinema (MPC-HC) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_player_classic)
When you use MPC-HC icons for the video and audio codecs being used appear in the system tray and clicking on them allows you to tweak audio or video codec settings …
[ Invalid Attachment ]
[BTW a Free program called Gspot (http://www.headbands.com/gspot/) will tell you what codecs are required to play a file and whether they are installed on your computer]
Your audio but no video problem may be due to software conflict, (rather than a missing codec) ...
Playback difficulties (such as no playback, no audio, or no video) may result from several or legacy file splitters for a particular file format being installed on an operating system. This causes decoder-to-file-splitter mismatch resulting in playback failure on media players.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demultiplexer_%28media_file%29
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I suspect that this latter point is the answer to the problem; I'm satisfied that it's not a codec issue - but how do I track down the splitter or whater legacy application is responsible for the problem?
C
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A simple thing to check first is that your "default programs" don't look strange. (Start - Default Programs in Vista)
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I’ve never used VLC, there is a forum for it and FAQ …
# 4 Problems playing types of files
* 4.1 WMV files
* 4.2 Real Media files
* 4.3 QuickTime Files (.mov)
* 4.4 Flash Video Files (.flv)
* 4.5 Other Files
http://wiki.videolan.org/Common_Problems
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I suspect that this latter point is the answer to the problem; I'm satisfied that it's not a codec issue - but how do I track down the splitter or whater legacy application is responsible for the problem?
If you want to know exactly what’s going on under the hood in Windows you could try "Process explorer (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653)",
(it’s “task manager (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Task_Manager)” on steroids).
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VLC tends to use it's own codecs, rather than the system ones. Try updating drivers for your video card, and download the latest version of VLC and install it. If that does not fix the problem then you probably have to make a backup ( or 2) and format and reinstall windows.
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... how do I track down the splitter or whater legacy application is responsible for the problem?
This microsoft (legit) "automated solution" diagnostic program may be of help ...
Automatically diagnose and identify codecs that may cause Windows to become unstable or to stop responding.
http://support.microsoft.com/mats/video_freezes_or_crashes/en-us
I gave it a try (on Vista) and it does detect splitters which may be causing problems and can be disabled ...
[ Invalid Attachment ] (http://support.microsoft.com/mats/video_freezes_or_crashes/en-us)
Bear in mind it is a Microsoft tool so will probably be biased towards MS products (rather than VLC),
if there is a software conflict it could suggest actions which could disable the non-microsoft media player(s).
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It is a codec issue. VLC has a series of codecs that come with it. Sometimes a strange codec will bluff it.
To find out what codec it is try this: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/audio_video/codecs/gspot.cfm
A cute little free prog. that will check the codec and then tell you if you have it on board. If not you have an identity to search for the required codec. Simple.
Gspot works on all versions of Windblows and there is a version for Mac's as well.
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Gspot works on all versions of Windblows and there is a version for Mac's as well.
No Mac version according to the creator(s) of Gspot ...
Win95/98/ME/NT/2K/XP/Vista
http://gspot.headbands.com/
Very suspicious if someone is tempting you to download software which doesn't exist (http://forums.macnn.com/82/applications/328148/looking-app-similar-gspot-mac-os/).
To find out what codec it is try this: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/audio_video/codecs/gspot.cfm
If anyone wants to try Gspot better getting it from the original source rather than a second-hand copy which could have had code added to do something nasty ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSpot
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Gspot works on all versions of Windblows and there is a version for Mac's as well.
No Mac version according to the creator(s) of Gspot ...
Win95/98/ME/NT/2K/XP/Vista
http://gspot.headbands.com/
Very suspicious if someone is tempting you to download software which doesn't exist (http://forums.macnn.com/82/applications/328148/looking-app-similar-gspot-mac-os/).
To find out what codec it is try this: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/audio_video/codecs/gspot.cfm
If anyone wants to try Gspot better getting it from the original source rather than a second-hand copy which could have had code added to do something nasty ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSpot
I got my copy from Afterdawn and have had no probs with it.
My mistake, I thought there was a copy for Mac's as well.
Either way, it's a good little free programme that does all that is asked of it.
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I got my copy from Afterdawn and have had no probs with it.
That the program functions is not proof it has not been tampered with, (i.e. had malware inserted).
My mistake, I thought there was a copy for Mac's as well.
I've seen nonexistent Mac versions of software being offered for free : they are just trying to get users to hit the download button to download their malware.
Either way, it's a good little free programme that does all that is asked of it.
And if you haven't got it direct from the creator maybe it'll do a lot more that you didn't ask.
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Update - I have eventually solved this problem, and it was nothing to do with codecs whatsoever.
Instead, it was the "graphics acceleration" under the display > advanced setup options. By turning off all the acceleration, everything works a treat (except catalyst control centre).
I think I need a new computer, it's getting old...
Chris
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I think I need a new computer, it's getting old...
Chris
So am I mate. Can I get a new me? I'm pondering.
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So you need to go to the graphics card manufacturers website ( easy, either www.nvidia.com or www.ati.com ) and get the latest drivers for the card. If it is built in graphics you will have to go to the motherboard manufacturers website to get the latest drivers.
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I use to use VLC but have been using this to play most videos.
http://mirillis.com/en/products/splash.html
It can also use the GPU on some graphic cards for decoding taking the load off the CPU. Works great on my laptop and its free so give it a try.
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I've got the latest updates; I think it's a bug introduced by Windows and how it's interfacing with the graphics card; like I said, I really need a new computer. It's 5 this year and hence not the fastest. The thing I can't face is reinstalling all the idiosyncratic drivers and crap I have to support the various ancillaries I have plugged into it...
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The thing I can't face is reinstalling all the idiosyncratic drivers and crap I have to support the various ancillaries I have plugged into it...
Ah yes! The joys of running a DIY IT Department.
It's a bit like business travel. The first few times it seems like fun, but it doesn't take to turn into a complete PITA (pain in the arm).