Playing mpg on office computer

[MsCynic]

I've recorded a programme from my home PC video card and have had problems getting it to play on the office setup: Win XP SP1 with WIn Media Player 9.

My first attempt was to burn the programme on to disk using Nero Vision Express, then using ISOBuster to decode it to mpg for viewing. Although this worked, I realised I'd inadvertently edited out the bit I actually wanted so that was a waste of time and disk.

This morning I brought the correct segment, which I had edited with Video Re Do, and it's in mpg format. It won't play on my work computer in Windows Media Player 9 and I'm being advised that my codecs are out of date. I did try to update to WMP 10 but couldn't get it to run. In any case, if I can't get the programme to run on WMP9, then nor will anyone else - I want to save the file on the shared drive so others can view it from their own desks.

I can view the footage and hear sound when running the programme through Video Re Do on my work computer, but no matter how I save it, WMP still won't accept it.

Is there another way I can get this file to play at work? If not, then repeating the process with Nero Vision Express is looking like the best option.

Thanks in advance for advice,
Jo

[thecoalman]

If it's from a DVD compliant file it's mpeg2 which requires a mpeg2 codec. XP doesn't come out of the box with mpeg2 support, the codec is usually installed by editing, playing software such as Powerdvd. You'll either have to install a program such as powerDVD to decode the mpeg2 or convert it to somethingWMP will play out of the box like WMA or mpeg1.

You can use windows movie maker to do either, Windows Media Encoder for WMA....not sure about the software you listed above but most likely it supports it as well.

[johns0]

You need to install mpg2 codecs if its in that format,either install powerdvd,windvd or free mpg2 codecs that can be found by doing a search.

[MsCynic]

I think I'd prefer to convert the video so that the rest of the office don't also need to install the relevant codecs on their individual PCs.

I had also thought that Windows Movie Maker could do the job but like WMP, it won't open the video either.

[adcvideo]

If you wish to convert your video into a format viewable on ANY computer, then convert to mpeg-1. The free version of TMPGEnc will do this. I believe that Nero Express will also create mpeg-1 files.

I believe that there is no other option but to install a codec on each computer for pretty well any other form of converted video, Divx or whatever, but for mpeg-2 the free VLC player should play back your mpeg-2 files.

[thecoalman]

I had also thought that Windows Movie Maker could do the job but like WMP, it won't open the video either.

It will only open it if there's a mpeg2 codec installed. If you need to run it on multiple machines best bet is just convert it as I suggested. Either formats will run on windows machine, even older ones.

[redwudz]

You can convert it to .wmv format as thecoalman suggested and that should play on any MS computer with WMP installed. But you will still need the MPEG-2 codec installed on your computer to read it if want to use WMM for the conversion.

Edit: thecoalman got there before me.

[edDV]

For a business environment, any use of MPeg2 needs to be fully paid up on royalties and be squeeky clean.

"free" Mpeg2 codecs may still be frowned upon within your company. They may subject your company to a lawsuit since lawyers seek deep pockets.

[daamon]

If you want to keep it as MPG2, download and use the free Media Player Classic - it comes with an MPEG2 codec to play MPEG2/SVCD/DVD files.

[dipstick]

Agree with daamon.

No need to install anything. I usually put a copy of MPC on the same CD as the Mpeg-2 File. Then when you put the CD in the other PC, just drag the Mpeg file into the mpc EXE file and it will play just fine. It must be pcm or mpeg audio unless the PC has an AC3 decoder (highly unlikely).

MPC also will play un-multiplexed Mpegs. Just give them the same name and MPC will automatically pick up the audio.

[MsCynic]

If you wish to convert your video into a format viewable on ANY computer, then convert to mpeg-1. The free version of TMPGEnc will do this. I believe that Nero Express will also create mpeg-1 files.

I believe that there is no other option but to install a codec on each computer for pretty well any other form of converted video, Divx or whatever, but for mpeg-2 the free VLC player should play back your mpeg-2 files.

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately I can't get TMPGEnc to open my file either. I'm currently looking at their bulletin board for guidance, but it's a little hard to follow.

[thecoalman]

Try this: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/encoder/default.aspx

Pick your source file, pick your preset, hit the encode button. It produces WMA which is the most universally accepted format for computer playback available.

[adcvideo]

NeroVision Express should be able to create a mpeg-1 file not in a VCD-CD wrapper. The following assumes that you have upgraded to the latest version of Nero 6.x (a free upgrade).

1. Load the make movie selection from the opening screen

2. then after you have loaded your movie in the authoring screen, click next, and this should give you the

3. export movie option, choose this, and this will bring up the export movie window.

4. Use the pull-down export template menu in the upper right hand of the screen. Then select VCD as your option.

5. This should create a mpeg-1 file after you click the export button on the lower right of the screen. Be prepared that transcoding to a mpeg-1 file can take several hours on a slow computer.

6. If you want to experiment, you can choose the custom template and select a choice of different codecs.

Good luck!

[MsCynic]

Thanks guys - I'll investigate further with the original file when I get home tonight.
I really appreciate everyone's help here.
Jo

[Nelson37]

It is unclear from your post, but you state that the first file "worked". If by that you mean it played on the PC at the office, there is no reason the second one should not unless the file is corrupt somehow. Sounds like you need to re-create this file.

Recommend re-encode to WMP or MPG1, MPG1 would also be compatible with older PC's and most DVD players. Believe your problems re-encoding related to a bad file as opposed to bad encoders.