WMP 9 or DirectX 9 causing problems in fresh OS install?

[Mesmer]

Greetings everyone!

Several days ago I noticed that certain files when played back would be displayed at the wrong aspect ratio. Let me first say that these files are Mpeg-1, no frils, converted from a DV source. Rather than 352x240, the files were appearing on the screen at 312x240. Other video sizes were displayed correctly. Every media player I used encountered the same problem. When I tried playing the files back on a different computer, they looked correct. Thinking I had screwed myself and installed one too many codecs or filters, I tried removing all but the ones supplied by Windows XP. Still no dice. So then I reinstalled Windows on a clean format. Files looked good! But once I upgraded to Windows Media Player 9 and DirectX 9, they were squished again. Unfortunately, I didn't check the files between WMP and DirectX so I can't tell which install messed things up, though I suspect WMP. Has anyone else with WMP 9 (or DirectX9) found the same problem with specifically the 352x240 mpeg-1 files?

I'm running XP SP1, and basically a fresh install now.

Thanks for any help!

[theDruid]

I haven't had the same specific problem, but I did have nothing but problems with the fancy versions of WMP.

I can't remember what the basic one that comes bundled with XP is, but I run 2K, and just stick with WMP 6.4 - I don't upgrade it all (although I do install the WM8 codecs).

I don't think DirectX will cause those problems - I always make sure I have the latest version of that.

As far as I'm concerned, the newer versions of WMP are too bulky (with their skins etc..), are intrusive (run LavaSoft Ad-Aware after you've installed even WMP 7/8 ) in that they want to make lists of all the multimedia files you have, and just offer no real benefits.

Rant over - sorry that wasn't more helpful!!

cheers,
mcdruid.

[dborel]

I JUST did a fresh install of XP yesterday . . . also installed WM9 and codecs, etc. Have not noticed your particular problem, but had to reboot several times after trying to play even capped AVI files!! I'm going to reinstall again and not use WM9, always works fine without it. Pretty sad . . .

- Dug

[Mesmer]

Well, I just gingerly installed DirectX 9b. I can't after all, leave two programs in question. After the reboot I was happy to see the video files play back correctly! So I'm not sure what's wrong with WMP9, but bleh!

Thanks for your replies theDruid and dborel!