my avi files only show video intermittently, not a codec problem.

midwestcreative · Member Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Location: United States

Hi. I downloaded some avi files. They are valid and uncorrupted because I can get them to work fine sometimes(other than being a little dark). However, when I get one to work, then I try to play another one(one that I know worked just an hour before), it wont show video again, only sound.

It's not a codec problem. I have lots of codec packs installed. I have programs that check which codec the video requires and they have shown that I have the codec and its installed properly.

I have media player 9, media player classic, divx player, quicktime, and I think a few others and reacts the same in all of them(no video, but sound).

I read in one forum something about xp not knowing how to open avi files properly, that you go to tools, folder options, file types, avi, then change from play to open so it will play the file rather than just loading it. This didnt exactly work, but I have found a work around. However, not only is it a big pain, but I still need to know what's wrong with my computer or software or what.

Here's how I get around the problem. I try to play the file once in media player 9(no video, only sound), then i go to tools, folder options, file types, avi, details for 'avi' extension, and change the "opens with" to media player classic, then go double click the file again and it plays properly with both video and sound.

Obviously some kind of setting is getting messed up every time i open it properly, but what? I'm not real tech savvy, but I can follow instructions and figure out what you mean if someone can just give me some ideas.

Ai Haibara · Posted: Jun 11, 2009 01:15

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it does turn out to be a codec problem. Is there a reason you needed more than one codec pack installed? Most codec packs are built on the "installs all the codecs you'll ever need" idea, so...

What happens if you use a different player than Windows Media Player? Better still, try a player that doesn't depend on the system codecs, like VLC, and see if some or all of those problems persist.
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guns1inger · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Location: Miskatonic U

redwudz · Mod Neophyte Joined: 07 Sep 2002 Location: AZ, USA

What the others said. Try VLC. If it works, you most likely do have a codec problem. If it doesn't, you may have a overlay problem. That typically shows as a blank black screen and the audio works fine. It's a more common problem on a external display. The 'fix' is in your video card settings.

Think of installing most codec packs to be about like selecting 20 programs completely at random and installing them on your computer and hoping they don't cause problems.

And you will likely run into some more problems trying to uninstall the packs. They don't go away quietly.

Net time, you might try ffdshow. It's not a codec pack but it does enable playback of quite a few formats with most players.

And welcome to our forums.