Can't play avi that read from DVD-R, but read from HD. Why?

[early105]

Dear all,

I can play different type of avi movies on my PC that was read from Harddisk, then I tried to back them up into DVD-R in order to save my HD space.

However, I found that I can't read them and play them directly from the DVD-R after I've saved on it. But I still can copy the movie files from the DVD-R back into Harddisk and play them well again in the Hraddisk.

What's wrong is it? or am I missing somethings? please help. Thanks.

[Prospero424]

What happens when you try to play it directly from your disc drive?

Have you made sure that your drive is in DMA mode in Windows Device Manager?

Have you tried burning your DVDs at a lower speed? The faster you burn them, the harder they CAN be to read back.

[early105]

The following error message will be prompted when I've tried to play the avi file directly from the drive.

Message header: Mircosoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Message icon: a cross in red circle
Message content:
"Runtime Error!

Program: C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe

This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an usual way. Please contact the application's support team for more information"

That's the error! When I tried to use other players like RealOne Player and Media Player Classic. The error is similar. just the location of the player programe is different.

However, I found that I can play some avi files directly from the same disk (DVD-R). But some of them can't. I think it might because the avi files were using different codec. However, if copying those files (which can't be played directly from drive) into harddisk, and they can be played well again. So I don't think the quality of disk (DVD-R) would be the problem, and I burned it slow (usually at 2x) as well.

Can anyone help? Any idea?

Thank you

[Prospero424]

Well, you might try installing an ASPI layer, I recommend ForceASPI. Did you make sure the drive is in DMA mode?

Does the error message pop up instantly when you drag the file to the player or does the drive light flash for a while first?

[early105]

Hi,

I've installed ForceASPI now. However, the problem still exists...

I've checked my drives are in DMA mode already.

When I made a single clicked on the file, the drive light flashed for a while.
Then, when I double click on it and try to play/open the file, the drive light haven't flashed and the error message pop up.

One more thing I firgured out that the files (which can't be played directly) are attached with a sub-title file. (For displaying sub-title while playing the movies).

Please help. Thank you.

[Prospero424]

Hmm, you say they all have subtitle files with them huh? What extension do they have? .sub?

Try installing VobSub - http://www.divx-digest.com/software/vobsub.html

Also, you might try using Zoom Player, which has some basic native subtitle support and also happens to be an excellent player all-around.

[early105]

The subtitle file extension is *.ssa, I don't know whether it is a standard file extension or not. BTW, I've already installed VOBSUb in my computer.

Finally, I installed Zoomplayer and openned the movie by it. However, it also failed. The error message is
"Message Header: ZoomPlayer
Message Icon: a cross in a red circle
Message content: External exception E06D7363."

Doesn't have anyone got the similar problem of mine...

Thanks.

[Prospero424]

THis is what is called a "Substation Alpha" subtitle file. It's an older format. Try downloading it here: http://www.fansubs.info/vault.php and see if that will fix the problem.

Also, what I would try first is to disable VobSub before attempting to play files from the DVD. It may be that VobSub is trying to read the ssa files and for some reason cannot because of being on a DVD, I don't know, but it seems rather likely.

[Adiel]

I have just had the same problem as yours on two computers of my home network, and apparently they were caused by some conflict of codecs, for I solved the problem by removing (uninstalling) all the codecs I had and reinstalling only DiVx and VobSub (for subtitles). Everything is now fine. Drop me a line if that works for you too.

Best regards from Brazil!

[early105]

I think I can't un-install all codecs and only have DivX, since I found that DivX was not enough for me to show all different type of avi files...If this is the only way, I would rather give up...

BTW somethings I've noticed that
1) The files, which can't be played directly from disc, were in DivX decoding.
2) I can play them directly by running the DivX Player v2.5.3. However, I need to start the Player first and then open the avi file from the player; else if I open the avi file by right clicking on it and choose the DivX player. The DivX player will hang.
3) Even though I can play these files directly from disc, subtitle could not be shown under DivX player even VOBSUB and SubStation Alpha were installed already.

Thanks all.

[Prospero424]

Well, now this changes things slightly. Since they are all DivX files and the DivX player (which ALWAYS uses the DivX decoder, no matter what the default decoder is) can play them while other players cannot, I suspect that Windows is trying to use a corrupt or incomplete decoder for DivX files when using DIrectShow compatible players such as WMP, Zoom Player, or BSPlayer. Since you can't remove old codecs for some reason without the major risk of registry editing, I see only one easy solution.

Try installing ffdshow and set it to decode DivX files. This should override anything else that may be trying to handle them. ffdshow also has subtitle support, but it may not work with ssa files.

[Adiel]

Again, I do think you should uninstall all codecs. After that you could go on reinstaling them all one at a time, checking if the movie stops playing or not. The idea of a corrupt codec is really a possibility, for in my case the offending blighter was XVid, in both cases (my computer and my daughter's). I had installed a suite of codecs named Ace MegaCodecs. Don't...

Good luck and sorry for my humble ideas.

[early105]

Thanks to all who help me here.

Finally, I've un-installed all codecs, and only installed DivX and Xvid. Then, my problem have gone. All avi files can be played from the dics directly.

Adiel, you're right. Thanks a lot.

[Adiel]

Anytime...