WMV codec problem

[coasterfreak212]

Okay, so I got a new Zune 80 and I love it to bits (and I don't want advise to exchange it for an ipod or a zen, please!) . I have Vista with an RC of SP1. Now here's the kicker to my problem, I installed multiple codec packs (not at the same time, alternately in hopes for one to fix the other) and now i can't convert videos properly in any converter. Now I know perfectly well that the Zune supports mp4 videos, but mp4 doesn't have meta data. The Zune is horrible in sorting videos. I need the meta data to sort it out at east by the standard options of movies, music videos, and tv shows. Worst comes to worse I'll just stick with mp4 conversion, but I really need to fix my wmv codec. Any bright ideas from anyone? I have tried these codec packs:

K-Lite
Cole2k Standard
Cole2k Advanced
Vista Codec Pack
(no particular order)

And these converters (in no particular order):

SUPER (refuses to encode with or without Direct Show Decoder)
imTOO (Poor Sound and Video quality)
Cucusoft (Convertes a couple of minutes then quits)
WinFF (Seems to encode perfectly, but won't sync or play with Zune Software or Wmp, but golden on VLC)
AutoMVK (Same as WinFF or quits after a few minutes)
Xilisoft (this had the best results, but the audio was encoded strange. It had a weird "bathroom" effect)
Media Coder (refuses to encode in WMV)
DVDFab Platinum (Encodes, but audio is out of sync and frame drops sporadically)
VLC Transcode (same as WinFF, but plays in windows media player and doesn't sync in Zune Software)
Possibly other various converters, I lost count.

Please, does anyone have any advice? I was considering installing xp on another hard drive (don't be stupid and say off with vista and other stuff like that, I like it just fine thank you very much). I tried cleaning the registry with CCleaner, reinstalling the windows media player, installing the windows media 9 encoder, etc. Could it be a vista UAC problem? I already tried disabling it. Sometimes, ffmpeg would crash on some converters, but it's sporadic and not particular to converter. Pretty sure it's a codec problem. Please help me with my problem, I don't want to go through a complete overhaul for organizing my videos on my zune (or buy a new player).

[nightfly]

Hi,

I was in your same situation until I found a solution recently. I have tried most of the video converters you mentioned and they all failed miserably (the Xilisoft audio issue was strange wasn't it?). The Zune 80 needs WMV9 in 320 x 240 rez to work. WMV8 will cause the Zune software to transcode to WMV9, and we don't want that. Anyway, I've had great success with Any Video Converter Free Edition:

http://www.any-video-converter.com/any-video-converter-free.exe

Just make sure to choose WMV9 output for it to work for your Zune 80. The only downside is it doesn't allow you to adjust the audio settings, which are defaulted to 64kbps audio (I think). I'm thinking if you purchase the Professional version it might let you adjust that, but I'm happy with the default settings.

Let me know if this helps. I know how frustrating the video situation can be on the Zune, and hopefully MS will make things easier for us in a future Zune software update.

-nightfly

[redwudz]

coasterfreak212 said:

I installed multiple codec packs (not at the same time, alternately in hopes for one to fix the other) and now i can't convert videos properly in any converter.

That's not surprising. One problematic codec pack can damage a OS and is usually a bad idea, but you have used several. If you are lucky, you may be able to remove them all, but more likely you will end up re-formating and re-installing the OS to clean up the mess.

I've used the Vista codec pack in the past, but I don't even recommend it anymore after problems in Vista. ffdshow is about the only 'codec pack' I would install. K-lite has a long history of damaging good codecs and installing corrupted ones. Just do a forum search for 'codec packs' and you can see the problems.

Of the converters you listed, WinFF, Media Coder and DVDFab are probably OK, but none seem suited to WMV conversions.

I don't think Vista is so much your problem, but it makes some programs a bit harder to use.

If WMV is your desired format, why not try Windows Media Encoder? Most other encoders that claim WMV conversion either use WMV codecs licensed from MS or get them other ways and that can cause problems.

And welcome to our forums.

[coasterfreak212]

I forgot to mention that earlier. It didn't work either. For some reason it just crashes once it tried to encode, sometimes it would show that ffdshow error. But after all this, Im fed up with my screw up and doing yet another clean install. But Im skeptical, will my Zune react the same or will it give me some error for not having the same computer and what not? It shouldn't right? Thanks for the help btw. If its not too much to ask, could someone post a recomended list of codecs to install? So when I have a clean slate I can fix up a clean codec set? Thanks!

[coasterfreak212]

Nevermind about the cleanup, figure it'd be too much of a hassle. I'm trying the any-video converter right now. Hopefully this one will make it work. Thanks for everything.

[coasterfreak212]

Wow! Thanks nightfly! The any-video converter was just wonders on my videos! now i don't have to reformat my windows install!

[redwudz]

Usually the latest version of ffdshow is the safest codec program to install. It should work with most common files. For RM, Quicktime, there is Quicktime alternative player or Real Alternative player. Or VLC should play most any of them. WMV should be handled by the MS codecs.

ffdshow and VLC is what I use for most all my files with Vista Home Premium SP1b. When the full version of SP1 comes out, probably around July, it may fix a few other problems.

[nightfly]

I'm glad Any-Video Converter worked. That program actually uses MEncoder and MPlayer in the background, but I've tried using MEncoder manually and there are so many mind-boggling options in the command line that it gave me a headache.

Are you having aspect ratio problems with some of your videos? Some of my 16:9 videos dont play correctly and appear stretched on my Zune 80gb.