Huge problem converting WMV files

[zanos]

I downloaded some wmv files that simply won't convert or even open in a majority of the programs I've used. I got them off of aol. I actually can't even view them on my hard drive. They have to be watched online even though I was given the option of downloading them. These aren't your normal wmv files you find floating around the net. Anyone have any ideas? I've tried the following already.

tmpgenc
tmpgenc express
windows movie maker
winavi
DVDflick
Virtualdubmod

[mats.hogberg]

wmv may well be the worst kind of source mtrl for conversion. Have you tried SUPER? What do you want to convert to?

/Mats

[zanos]

No I have not. I want to convert to mpg2

[mats.hogberg]

Try SUPER, or use an AviSynth script, loading the wmv with DirectShowSource, then load the .avs in some mpeg encoder (HCEnc).

/Mats

[Ai Haibara]

They sound like WMVs with DRM. What happens if you play them in Windows Media Player? (Just WMP, not any other player.) Does it prompt for a license?

[zanos]

I don't use WMP at all. I installed media player classic and it gives me a can't render file message. I have tried using Fairuse4WM and according to that program it can't find any license but the file has to be protected.

[zoobie]

some guy wanted everyone to make flash videos because he couldn't view wmv's...turns out there was a conflict in his box

[zanos]

Try SUPER, or use an AviSynth script, loading the wmv with DirectShowSource, then load the .avs in some mpeg encoder (HCEnc).

/Mats

Just tried it. Unfortunately the video came out completely garbled.

[zanos]

I'm downloading the videos from this site. If anyone wants to try it let me know the results, thanks.

http://video.aol.com/video-category/in2tv-animation/1718

[oldandinthe way]

video.aol.com uses microsoft DRM. If you have no licenses you can't convert. Read the instructions for Fairuse4WM

[Ai Haibara]

I don't use WMP at all. I installed media player classic and it gives me a can't render file message. I have tried using Fairuse4WM and according to that program it can't find any license but the file has to be protected.

I mentioned using Windows Media Player because it's more or less the only thing that handles WMV DRM properly. I normally don't use it, either.

As oldandinthe way mentioned, you'll need the licenses for the videos before you can use Fairuse. You may be able to get those by playing the files with WMP, but I don't know for sure.

[PuzZLeR]

Haven't tried them yet, need to install this, etc.

However, are these files in a newer format of wmv maybe? Are they of particular higher quality or better compression?

We will all soon start seeing a big push by M$ to promote their latest wmv codec called VC-1. It's a rival to H.264.

Maybe your files are in this format and software doesn't recognize it yet.

[mats.hogberg]

Tried downloading one of the videos, but the license manager tells me I'm living in the wrong country, so I can't get a license. So: The wmv is DRM protected, and has to be stripped from it before you can do anything else to the video.

/Mats

[oldandinthe way]

I tried to view. Requires running a Microsoft DRM active-X control.

[zanos]

Has anyone who downloaded these tried stripping the DRM?

[mats.hogberg]

The one most interested i trying should be you, wouldn't it? Have you?

/Mats

[zanos]

Of course I have. Haven't you read my posts?

[mats.hogberg]

Yes I have. But I had to re-read to find you have indeed tried fairuse4wm. Sorry about that.

/Mats