Recent problem with Mplayer2

[JohnJ]

Although MediaPlayer2 is old, it is still available in WinXP and I have used it successfully up to the end of 2009. I have an archive of video clips which were made years ago using the Indeo v4.1 codec which allowed security by use of an access code (- required in order to view the clip). Mplayer4 allowed this, unlike all its successors. (Once a clip was selected, one simply clicked on Properties, Advanced, IndeoCodec, and entered the code , after which the clip became visible). I tried this yesterday and found MPlayer2 no longer recognised the codec. To my bewilderment, when I tried my 2 laptops, (which also have WinXP) the same error occurred ! I was pretty certain the codec was still there . To make sure, I did download ACE Mega Codec Pack and installed it, ticking the Indeo 4.1 particularly. When I loaded MP2 it then called itself 'ACE Mega CoDec Pack' and, on testing one of the coded clips, I saw that Indeo 4.1 was not listed, but instead 'DirectVobSub' and also 'Video Renderer' neither of which allow me to enter the access code.
I strongly suspect that some hidden download (Maybe from Microsoft ??) has changed the accessibility of Media Player 2 since the start of 2010.If so, it makes a whole lot of past work quite useless, Trying to resolve the problem,I downgraded Media Player 10 to 9 (as mplayer2 is part of the whole MediaPlayer package in WinXP) but with no improvement. Something seems to be blocking accessibility to the codec.
Anyone any ideas ?
JohnJ

[JohnJ]

SUCCESS !
I did a lot of googling and first found this-
IV31 IV32 IV41 IV50 : Indeo 3, 4, and 5
in which the writer admits that Microsoft (for whatever reason) did remove all Indeo codecs from WinXP Media Players in December 2009. Apparently, when WinXP first appeared, they had omitted these codecs but there was such a protest that they reintroduced them for both Serv Packs 2 and 3. Then, a few months back they removed them again !

I continued to google, and found that you can still obtain these Indeo codecs from Ligos, though they charge $14 or so. I went ahead and bought the pack, downloaded and installed it - and, rather to my astonishment and delight - it worked - so I did not begrudge the $14 !

I know that it may be unlikely that many others would need these codecs, but , if they do, that seems the way to do it ( I had tried K-lite mega pack and also the ACE pack but they did not work. I had downgraded to WinMedia Player 9 from 10 but this had not been effective either)



JohnJ

[redwudz]

Good that you figured it out. Ligos bought the Indio codecs but really haven't done anything with them. As you noticed, newer versions of Windows don't have them any more. I use Any Video Converter and convert them to something more modern. They are still used in some parts of the world, probably with W95/98 computers that did have them included. The IV50 seems the most commonly one used.

I wasn't aware of the access code option. Good to know.

And welcome to our forums.

[JohnJ]

Thanks for your message Redwudz and the tip re- Any Video Converter.. I'll try it - even if it may not convert the IV 4 avi files whichmade up the archive videos I mentioned( I suspect the accessibility to the coding would not be carried with the conversion) it could come in handy with other files that particular players refuse to handle.

I have found that Real Player can cope with most file-types, but for some reason Win Media Player v10 /11 may start to play and you then get the dreaded message "An error has occurred and this program must close down" It seems to show this instability quite often in my experience. Sometimes VLC plays well as can Media Player Classic. Recent digital video clips taken whilst on holiday need Quick Time - but if I shoot in HD my computer is not really powerful enough to cope - play is very 'juddery' until rendered in Adobe Premier Elements (which can take ages) I am told that this is one feature where Windows 7 does much better that WinXP. Anyway for my recent shoots I downgraded to S-VHS quality.
JohnJ