How to install WMV codecs WITHOUT installing WMP?

[LisaB]

I did a clean install of Windows XP - Reduced Media Edition.

For those not familiar with the Reduced Media Edition, it is the recently released version that doesn not include Windows Media Player 10 and all its DRM junk.

I was hoping to enjoy a completely WMP-Free system. I installed the K-Lite Codec Pack Standard, Media Player Classic, and a few miscellaneous codecs.

However, I can't play WMV files. The various Microsoft Codec Installers all refuse to install since I don't have WMP installed.

It looks like I may be forced to install WMP 10! ...unless some genius here knows where I can find a standalone installer for the Windows Media 9 Video Codec.

Does anyone out there know of a solution?

The weird thing is that I have the wmv9vcm.dll installed, according to GSpot...

[BJ_M]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/format/codecdownload.aspx

[BJ_M]

if there is anything with drm - you will need the windows player

[BJ_M]

you can also check here

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=299018

[LisaB]

Thanks for the WMP FAQ link - lots of good stuff there.

As for the link to the standalone Microsoft Codec Installers...well, I had already found that, and, as I mentioned, the standalone installers would refuse to run on a system that didn't have WMP already installed.

I think I found the solution to my problem, however:

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Windows_Media_Lite.htm

[ahhaa]

There was a link on that MS page to an XP Windows Media Encoder dl that apparently gives you control of the DRM:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx

[redwudz]

Just a note. The newer version of Zoom Player can play WMV and is planned to be upgraded to do DRM. It's my favorite player after the freeware VLC media player. The newest version with WMV capabilities goes for about $36US, the regular Pro version is $10US less and there is a freeware version to try out. Well worth looking into. I dumped WMP completely from my system.