Problem playing file in Media Player.

[hanugro]

Hi all, I got AVI file that GSpot reported as:

isom: MP4 Base Media v1 [IS0 14496-12:2003]- mp41: MP4 v1 [ISO 14496-1:ch13]

I can play it in my computer but my media player refuses to play it saying invalid file. I have tried to change file extension to MP4 but still does not work. Any idea what to do. Do I have to transcode it to more media player friendly format? Thanks in advance for your help.

[jagabo]

The fourcc MP41 is a very old Microsoft codec based on pre-release drafts of the MPEG 4 spec. You probably have ffdshow installed (it includes an MP41 decoder) which is why your computer plays it. You'll have to reencode for your media player.

[hanugro]

Thanks, what software do you recommend to do that so I don't loose quality?

[jagabo]

I would use VirtualDub. AviRecomp is another, easier, option.

[hanugro]

Hi, I tried AviRecomp but it refuse to load the mp41 file saying this is not valid avi files.

[jman98]

I'm curious - is this anime by any chance? The reason I'm asking is that anime files often use some pretty bizarre codecs.

Try VirtualDub since AviRecomp didn't work but you'll have to find guides on using it if you're not familiar with it. Or you could try something like AVStoDVD or ConvertXtoDVD.

[jagabo]

I think AviRecomp requires a VFW MP41 decoder to open MP41 AVI files (so does VirtualDub). ffdshow has one:

[hanugro]

Hi, My PC (where I installed AviRecomp) can actually play the file in Windows Media Player. Do I have to specifically tell AviRecomp to find ffdshow? How to do that. I am using WinShark7 codec. Many thanks!

[jagabo]

WMP uses DirectShow codecs. VirtualDub (and AviRecomp, I believe) require VFW codecs. To enable the MP41 decoder in the VFW section of ffdshow select Start -> All Programs -> ffdshow -> VFW Configuration -> Decoder tab -> Codecs in the left pane -> MP41 in the right pane.

[hanugro]

Hi, I check on my Shark007 codec ffdshow video setting and MP41 is there with libavcodec as decoder. But still both AVI Recomp and Virtual Dub can not load it.I don't want to make DVD as it is HD 720p video. Any more idea on which apps that I can use to convert it to more standard AVI like Xvid/Divx without loosing quality?

Handbrake seems to work but i think the quality is affected???

BTW what is ISOM? is it the reason that AVI Recomp and Virtual Dub does not work?

Many thanks!

[jagabo]

Check both:

Start -> All Programs -> ffdshow -> VFW Configuration -> Decoder -> Codecs -> MP41
Start -> All Programs -> ffdshow -> Video Decoder Configuration -> Decoder -> Codecs -> MP41

Are you running a 64 bit version of Windows? If so it gets more complicated. 64 bit programs require 64 bit codecs, 32 bit programs require 32 bit codecs. So if you're running 64 bit VirtualDub you have to install and configure 64 bit ffdshow. If you're running 32 bit VirtualDub you have to install and configure 32 bit ffdshow.

[hanugro]

Yes, I am running 64 bit. I couldn't find VFW in ffdshow that is included by Shark007 codec pack, and both apps (use only the 32 bit version) say that it is not valid AVI file.

I did manage to change the container to mkv with MetaFox and now my media player is playing it. File size seems not change much and I am really sure they keep the codec as the conversion only took 5 mins ( for 1.52hr clip). Well I can live with mkv file as long as it play in my media player.

Next time I will get HTPC instead of media player.

[jman98]

Next time I will get HTPC instead of media player.

You're blaming the media player for the fact that a moron encoded it with a codec that nobody supports outside of a PC? OK...

[hanugro]

Er, but media player play the mkv which I am sure still have the same codec as avi file. I think it is the problem of container spec rather than the codec itself. But I agree ppl should use more common codec and container file.

As the reason to get HTPC I want it to be used as low power d/l-p2p station as well. I think AMD Fusion E350 will be perfect for that.

Thanks anyway to all.