What do i need to view the videos?

[BluNT]

The following are free media players


.avi --> BSPlayer, Windows Media Player
If the .avi video is using DivX codec then try DivX Pro or BSPlayer

.mov --> QuickTime

.mpeg --> BSPlayer, Windows Media Player


we will keep updating this list, any suggestions are appreciated, pm me

[BluNT]

a good list of codec packs can be found here http://www.moviecodec.com/topics/5036p1.html

[phunkyfeelone]

Hi

I downloaded a couple of vids, but all I get is the audio track

I'm using WMP8, win xp.

Any ideas?

[thephantom]

Hi

I downloaded a couple of vids, but all I get is the audio track

I'm using WMP8, win xp.

Any ideas?

Which vids are you trying to view?

[Dv8]

>>> To get heaps of codecs installed on your computer in one hit (or you can also just select the ones you need individually) grab a codec pack from Moviecodecs download page... http://www.moviecodec.com/topics/5036p1.html the best pack in my opinion is the K-Lite codec pack

>>> To easily find out what codec you need for a certain video and also to be told instantly if that codec is currently installed on your computer use a cool tool called G-Spot, you can get it at Moviecodecs here - http://www.moviecodec.com/topics/5036p1.html its a very small program that doesnt even need installing...or grab the KLite MEGA codec pack which has G-Spot included...

>>> The best video player (again in my opinion) is BSPlayer, get it here http://www.bsplayer.org/html/download.php scroll to the bottom of the page for the FREE version or grab the K-Lite MEGA codec pack which also has BSPlayer included...

>>> The only movies that probably won't play with BSPlayer and all codecs installed could be .rm, .ra, .qt and .mov format videos in which case you will need to use RealPlayer and QuickTime. If you don't like either of those two programs then their are free alternative players you can use instead go here to download - http://home.hccnet.nl/h.edskes/finalbuilds.htm scroll down until you see QuickTime alternative, scroll further and you will find RealPlayer alternative...

...anyway hope that helps anyone that is having problems, visit www.MovieCodecs.com for more help, cool downloads and great tips...

[quickurn]

vlc media player - http://www.videolan.org/vlc
plays every vid i have tried very smoothly, plays half downloaded clips and can usually drag some video out of corrupted vid files.

always use this when windows shitty player jerks the clip around

[DevilsAdvocate]

This is a very nice util, just drag your video file on and it tells you exactly which audio and video codecs are required and whether you have them installed.

http://www.headbands.com/gspot/download.html

[modecko]

I have KLite MEGA codec pack which now uses Windows Media Player Classic and not BSPlay.

On coming across the BSplay recommendation here I downloaded and installed the free version. Be aware it attempts to install a program called save.exe in a Programs Files/Save folder. This executes every time your computer is started and runs WhenU Save popup and popunder ads when you surf, along with gathering information on your web surfing.

It tries to hook onto the end of the BSPlay intallation routine when that program connects to the web to install. BSplay displays an information window stating your firewall will attempt to block BSplay from installing and to select allow or ignore when the firewall attempts this. If you just click allow each time without reading each warning from your firewall then WhenU Save gets accepted by the firewall and is installed.

[billyboy666]

On coming across the BSplay recommendation here I downloaded and installed the free version. Be aware it attempts to install a program called save.exe in a Programs Files/Save folder. This executes every time your computer is started and runs WhenU Save popup and popunder ads when you surf, along with gathering information on your web surfing.

BSPlayer has been rubbish since version 1.35. In fact, I believe the recommendation here (dated August 2003) is based on version 0.85.
Even the recommendation to use the K-Lite codec pack is outdated.

For todays needs there are 2 great options:

1) Advanced Vista codec pack + MediaPlayer Classic addon
http://shark.blackteabag.ch/

Plays all videos using a minimum number of codecs.
Most video is handled by the excellent FFDshow filter. QT, RM and FLV are also supported.

2) VLC Player
http://www.videolan.org/

Plays all videos using its own built-in decoders. Does not require installation of other codecs.
Handles streams with errors very well.
Also has the ability to transcode stream into other formats.

[Dv8]

On coming across the BSplay recommendation here I downloaded and installed the free version. Be aware it attempts to install a program called save.exe in a Programs Files/Save folder. This executes every time your computer is started and runs WhenU Save popup and popunder ads when you surf, along with gathering information on your web surfing.

It tries to hook onto the end of the BSPlay intallation routine when that program connects to the web to install. BSplay displays an information window stating your firewall will attempt to block BSplay from installing and to select allow or ignore when the firewall attempts this. If you just click allow each time without reading each warning from your firewall then WhenU Save gets accepted by the firewall and is installed.

Scrap my BSPlayer recommendation then if they're going down that path. I was using the pro (paid) version which doesn't have any adware/spyware included... bloody assholes. Billyboy666 is on the ball with his suggestions for sure. You could also try Zoomplayer, just because it has a scene repeat function (something most players won't do) and it works with my hdtv card remote control without any additional progs like Girder installed. They also claim it is optimised for tv viewing...

[heiglman]

the most recent freeware version of BS Player that was available without adware installed was V1.37

it can be downloaded from http://www.filehippo.com/download_bsplayer/

they are a reliable site for old versions of good freeware programs and don't bundle anything with their downloads.

I found them to be particularly useful when downgrading my iTunes

[steve_666]

Whats the best way to delete all codecs and reinstall them with the packs?
I have a feeling my codecs are stuffed

[Dv8]

...what OS do you have?

I've got Windows XP so I would start with the usual Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel first of all and remove whatever shows up there individually like DivX etc, then do the following - go to the Control Panel and double click Sounds and Audio Devices then press on the Hardware tab. Scroll down in the list and select Video Codecs, press the Properties button and then on the Properties tab you should now see. The list of video codecs you have should show up there, just right click and select Remove on each one. Reboot and Reinstall a pack... hope that helps some, for other OS i'm not sure sorry...

[steve_666]

thanks Dv8 i'll give it a try later.

I know its something simple but its one of those things...anyway i'm still running xp.

all fixed, thanks for your help

[Max_TMP]

If anyone is still having problems playing the videos on their PCs try a utility called "ffdshow".

ffdshow gets the codec information from the video and uses the appropriate codecs to play it. From wikipedia It is free software released under the GPL license, runs on Windows and is implemented as a DirectShow decoding filter.
It includes the H.264 codec as well as many others that are being used here.
There isn't an apple version but there are other solutions for the apple computers.

[hippyd]

I have probs view HD material some players I tried are worse than others but even the best have some jerkiness to them. Surely my pc can handle HD vids? Its a core 2 duo with 2gb ram. Would upgrading the graphics card fix things?

[Dv8]

I'm still running an Intel 2.6gig Celeron ...HD vids all run smooth... only just. Try reinstalling your codecs or worse case scenario reformat completely... Check to see what processes are running and how much CPU usage is being consumed by whatever app, you can do that on windows XP with alt+ctrl+del. While you're there, try setting your players priority to 'Above Normal'... that's all I can suggest for the moment, good luck with it

[hippyd]

I adjusted the priority thing and it's all good now

[Dv8]

awesome... glad something helped that's just a bandaid fix though, you should try to find what is consuming your cpu while the player is running. If you can't see anything then maybe you just have corrupt codecs in which case i'd try reinstalling them... I don't think you have any hardware issues if the videos are running smooth now, it has to be software related... a simple chkdsk might even help if you haven't already tried that, and run a spyware remover and antivirus thoroughly through your system to see if there is anything else going on that shouldn't be... if none of that helps I would go the dreaded reformat option

[billyboy666]

hippyd, if you could do the following:
- play your video with Media Player Classic
- go to "File > Properties"
- Tell use what codec are listed in the details tab
- go to the "Play > Filters..." menu
- tell us what filters are listed in the menu

Many codec packs use ffdshow to decode most videos.
It's a good all-in-one codec, but lately I've been reading that CoreAVC handles HD content better.