Can't convert AVI to MPEG using MainConcept or TMPG - 'video data not found

[ibzomie]

I suddenly find that I can not convert AVI to MPEG using either MainConcept or TMPG XPress. Trying to use MainConcept, I get a message that says simply "Video Data Not Found." TMPG XPress says the same thing with more words - "The video part of the file could not be opened. Only the audio part can be opened."

What seems odd is that, while in the past I would ocassionally find such an AVI file, at this time every single AVI file that I download and every single AVI file already on my hard drive gives such a message.

I don't know if or how it could be related, but just a couple weeks ago, I had a hard drive failure. I replaced the hard drive and installed the operating system (XP Home) from scratch. It seems that this is when this problem began. I reinstalled MainConcept v1.4, and I bought and installed TMPG Video Encoder Xpress v. 3.1.5.81.

Is there anything I can do to convert these files? Is there possibly some setting that I've overlooked?

Any help will be appreciated.

[Baldrick]

have you reinstalled the video codecs? ffdshow can decode most formats fine.

[MysticE]

You could also run your AVIs through GSpot for some clues.

http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

[ibzomie]

Ah, yes! The codecs.

And GSpot. I had forgotten about it - one of the many programs lost when the hard drive went south. I'll have to install it again.

Thanks for the reminders.