Problems converting .wmv to .avi using Super

[davejl_99]

I looked for a thread addressing this, but didn't find anything.

I have been attempting to convert a .wmv video for a friend of mine and have been having the following problem. When I convert the video, it seems to work fine in Super's media player. But, when I send it back to my friend, and she tries to play it, she only gets the audio. The video portion doesn't play. I am using Super, and the following are the settings I use.


1. Output Container = avi
2. Output Video Codec = H.264/AVC
3. Output Audio Codec= mp3

I am using ffmpeg. Use DirectShow is checked.

Video Settings:
Video Scale Size = 320x240
Aspect = 4:3
Frame/Sec = 25
Bitrate Kbps = 64
Options = Hi Quality

Audio Settings:
Sampling Freq = 22050
Channels = 2
Bitrate kbps = 96

What am I doing wrong?

I am new at converting, and would appreciate any help on this, Thanks!!

[Mr_Odwin]

Your friend most likely doesn't have the correct video decoder. Either get her to install ffdshow and configure it to play h264, or install VLC which'll play it off the bat, or encode it with a codec that she'll probably have, like xvid.

[davejl_99]

She is using Windows Media Player to play the file. Shouldn't WMP be able to play it ok?

[Ai Haibara]

davejl_99: I don't think WMP can handle H.264/AVC without additional codecs or filters, and it probably doesn't have any choices when it tries to automatically download something to play it. You'd most likely end up having to install ffdshow, CoreAVC, etc. Maybe Quicktime/QT Alternative.

Media Player Classic, mplayer and VLC should have more luck playing the file as it is, I think. But, yeah, if you're encoding for someone else, it's always best to encode in a format you know they'll be able to handle, without necessarily having to install additional software. (Small file size is great, but it's not as helpful if the person you're encoding it for can't play it.)

[jman98]

davejl_99 - Kudos to you for trying to give her good quality, but if you know enough to use H.264, you really should know enough to know that most people CANNOT play these files. WMP indeed does require an additional codec. Is there a reason why you can't just convert it to a "normal" WMV file with whatever the heck codec Windows Media was using prior to H.264?

Ever thought about just converting it to MPEG-1? Every PC should easily be able to play it without installing other codecs and you are using a close to VCD resolution. A bit rate of 1150 Mbps CBR is standard for VCD, which is what you should be aiming for.

Why are you making the audio suck by using 96 Mbps audio and a sampling frequency of 22 KHz? Yikes!!! Dude, saving space on the audio doesn't save as much as you might think. At least give her 44 KHz audio at a bit rate of 128 (192 would be a lot better though). If she wants to convert this file to something she can watch on a DVD player, like a VCD, this is going to be one ugly conversion.

[davejl_99]

Ok, then. Next question... Is there a program or a tool out there that she could use to figure out what video codecs she has on her machine?

I know you are all wondering what this is for, she wants to make the video play in an embedded player on her on personal website.

BTW, I re-encoded it as a MPEG-1 and now I'm just waiting for her to let me know if it worked or not.

[guns1inger]

avicodec or g-spot or mediainfo etc - plenty in the tool section. They can list what she has, and more importantly, look at a video and tell her what she needs to play it.

[davejl_99]

Thanks for everyone's help. I re-encoded the video into MPEG-1, changed the audio settings, and finally got it to work. I appreciate the suggestions!