What codec to play 3gp videos?

[Immortal25]

Anyone? Can't seem to play them on my WMC or WMP...and they are annoying as always cos the help centre doesn't really help. I'm always unable to download the codec directly.
Thanks all...

[jimmalenko]

I think I used to use Nokia Media Player or something similar to play these. Although, I *think* Nero Showtime can play them also.

[redwudz]

Immortal25, since this is video related and not 'Off Topic', moving you.

[waheed]

Quicktime will play 3GP.

[Craig Tucker]

Yes use quicktime

[mats.hogberg]

...but last time I tried, there was some kind of QT plugin needed to play 3gp. But then again, that was some time ago...

/Mats

[Immortal25]

Sorry for wrong section...wasn't sure about codecs...lol Thanks for moving.

Hmm I use klite codec pack...so I've installed quicktime alternatives and stufff...it couldn't play. Weird...last time it did...I recently reformat my pc and all has gone screwy I'll try reinstalling the codecs...

[celtic_druid]

ffdshow together with Gabest's or Haali's mp4 splitter should be able to handle it. ffdshow can decode aac, amr, h.263, mp4v and avc1. Maybe also ttext subs. So basically everything that is 3gp.

[redwudz]

Hmm I use klite codec pack

It wouldn't surprise me if that is part of your problem right there. Codec packs have a bad habit of corrupting good codecs, installing bad codecs and generally messing up the whole system, especially when you already have some working codecs installed. Do a all forum search for 'codec packs' and you might decide to never install one again.

[spetragl]

I ran into the same problem, probably because I installed one too many codecs.
I uninstalled all of the codecs and just installed FFDSHOW and QuickTimeAlt.
Still it wouldn't play the 3gp's.

I eventually tracked it down to an incorrect setting in the registry where it defined the wrong hex Filters for 3gp.
I went into Regedit and deleted the Key (and everything below):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Media Type\Extensions\.3gp
Then in Windows Explorer, I did an 'Open With' on the 3gp file and re-associated the 3gp with WMP.

[Immortal25]

It's well over a year now since I posted this lol But anyways, if I don't use codec packs...i have to install the codecs individually? That's quite stressful as soemtimes WMP won't dl them properly..

[mats.hogberg]

if I don't use codec packs...i have to install the codecs individually? That's quite stressful as soemtimes WMP won't dl them properly..

Yes. That's the way. Like if you want to open a Word document, and don't have Word. What do you do? Go for "J-Light All Document Viewers Ever Devised Pack"? Or to Microsoft for the Word Viewer?
...and WMP has, during 15 years of use, never ever succeded in correctly identifying and installing a codec for a video it couldn't play to begin with. Better do it yourself.

/Mats

[redwudz]

...and WMP has, during 15 years of use, never ever succeded in correctly identifying and installing a codec for a video it couldn't play to begin with.

Good point. I find it searches a lot myself, but never seems to succeed.

[Immortal25]

Indeed! It never succeeds...and that's why I sometimes have trouble finding the right codec for it hence the need for codec packs..
lol I understand what you mean...you can't have it all in one go...sometimes it's best to individually get the stuff...but then that's why windows is like a pack itself... with internet browsing, media player etc etc...it's always good to have a good pack.

[mats.hogberg]

it's always good to have a good pack.

Unless the pack is a 6 of beer, I disagree Seriously, if a video file wont play - load it in GSpot, and let it tell you what codec(s) are neded. Download the latest build of the codec GSpot indicates (the Tools list here is a good starting point for finding where to DL a particular codec) and install it.
Pretty soon, your system will be equipped with all codecs you need, and nothing else. For video playback, ffdshow on its own goes a really long way.

/Mats