How do I know which codec I am missing?

[tfoster]

I am trying to load an AVI file into Windows Movie Maker (it fails in Media Player 10 too for that matter) and I get the message:
vts_01_1.avi cannot be imported because the required
codec is not installed on your system.

Useful isn't it.!

Now unless I go out there and install every codec under the sun - I have no idea which codec I need.
I did download a utility to analyse missing codecs from videohelp, (forgotten the tool) but all I got was a list of about fifty codecs - How do I know which one I need?????

Please someone help me with this codec lark.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[CrayonEater]

Get Gspot. It'll tell you. Look on the left under Tools.

[redwudz]

vts_01_1.avi cannot be imported because the required
codec is not installed on your system.

That's a strange name for a AVI Must have been extracted from a DVD and converted to AVI. The first main movie VOB in a DVD is called VTS_01_1.VOB. But no matter. Gspot should tell you what you need. You are probably missing the Xvid codec.

If you want to make things easier as far as codecs and playing, try VLC Media Player instead of WMP. It uses it's own codecs, plays about everything, is freeware and very configurable.

[tfoster]

It was the Xvid Codec - Many thanks.
I now realise how to use GSPOT

Thanks everyone for the helpful feedback.