Video playback problems

[CSULB71]

I’ve been trying to solve this problem for several days, but I’m stumped and it’s really bugging me. Before upgrading my PC, I had no problems playing any of my video clips or DVD’s on Media Player Classic v6.4.8.2 (Windows Media Player2 and Power DVD would also play all my clips, but I preferred to use MPC). I had an FIC AZ11 mobo, AMD Duron 700 MHz CPU, 384 MB SDRAM, ATI 128 Rage Fury graphics card, and ran Windows 98SE. Perfectly happy.

Last week I upgraded to an Abit NF7-S mobo, AMD Athlon XP2200+ CPU, 512 MB DDR RAM, ATI 9250 graphics card, and I completely reinstalled Windows 98SE.
The problem is now that most (but not all??) of my mpeg clips skip some frames every half-second or so when played in MPC and WMP2, but play fine in P-DVD and in VirtualDubMod’s preview mode. DVD’s also skip in MPC, but play fine in P-DVD. AVI clips processed (before the upgrade) thru VirtualDubMod (as XviD and DivX) still play fine in MPC, WMP2 and P-DVD. Today, I did a test capture of some camcorder video thru IEEE 1394 card using WinDV (as Type 2 AVI, Panasonic DV codec, and had 0 dropped frames, as usual). The resultant AVI file skips (just like the mpeg clips) when played back on MPC, WMP2 and P-DVD, but play OK in VirtualDubMod’s preview mode. However, after processing this clip thru VirtualDubMod, the output AVI (XviD) file also skips in the three players, but plays OK in VirtualDubMod’s preview mode!

I’m guessing there’s a codec problem somewhere (and hopefully not a system configuration problem), but I can’t see the connection to know where to look further. The rest of my system/apps work great – “just” this video problem. Any ideas, please? Thanks much.

[GKar]

you can try one of these codec packs, they come in small, medium and large size packs.

http://www.codecguide.com/

[CSULB71]

I tried the k-lite standard pack, but it made no difference. I opened G-spot to see what it would say, and it did find 4 missing *.acm files, but it wouldn't let me open a video file to check out the codecs. Clicking the "Browse" button did nothing, same with the box to manually enter a file path. The video "status" box showed it loaded 150 codecs, but that was all it would do. What's the deal?

[Krispy Kritter]

The mpeg playback issue is related to which mpeg2 codec is being used by MPC and WMP. PowerDVD uses its own codec and it appears to be playing files correctly. You just need to change which codec is being used.

You can also use codecsniper to search and remove unwanted/bad codecs.

[GKar]

You can try Divx 3.11 alpha (Divx_311alpha.exe), I seem to remember years ago when using Win98SE I had trouble with mpg playback and this thing fixed it for most clips. If you can't find it I can post it for you.

[CSULB71]

Some rephrased/new questions:
1. Why won't G-spot let me open any video files so I can see what the codec situation is on the "bad" files? Do I have to register it to get it working? Also, I did try CodecSniper, and it said all my codecs were OK.
2. Krispy Kritter -- I thought mpeg2 was for DVD spec files? Yes, DVD's skip (including files on the HDD), but I'm also having trouble with downloaded "regular" mpeg/mpg clips. But, if P-DVD uses a different mpeg codec than MPC/WMP2, how do I find the right codec(s) and then "change" MPC/WMP2 codec(s)?
3. GKar -- I don't understand your suggestion to try DivX 3.1.1 to fix playing mpeg's -- I thought DivX pertained only to AVI files? But I'm certainly willing to try that if nothing else helps.
4. If I get G-spot to work and if it doesn't show any problems, would some settings changes (which ones?) on my "new" graphics card be in order?

BUT, the real killer in all this is the last problem I mentioned in my original post, where DV AVI playback is now hosed up (like the mpeg's), and running a test clip thru VirtualDubMod and converting it to a DivX or XviD AVI doesn't make any difference. Yet DivX/XviD AVI's converted before my upgrade will play fine in all three players! I still have many VCR tapes and a few camcorder tapes left to convert to DVD, and I'm dead in the water. The frustrating thing is, everything worked great before the hardware upgrade, using the same app's!
Thanks again.

Edit/Update -- Since the K-lite codec pack didn't help (and the download included GSpot), I restored a backup image of my system made before installing K-lite. I just now downloaded a stand-alone GSpot, v2.60, and it won't let me open any files either! What the hell is going on?? I sure would like to know what the codec situation is on the bad files before I go nuts and consider a complete Windows reinstall!!
Scorpian King -- Good suggestion about loading/testing the video-related apps first. I may just try that. And, yes, I made many drive image backups along the way -- Hail to Acronis!

[Scorpion King]

Since you just reinstalled last week then I would say to reinstall again. You might better find out what caused this by doing that anyway.

When installing a video machine I don't just start throwing software at it 24/7 until I get everylast program I think I'll ever use on there then start testing video capture and playback ability. When I begin installing I test capture/play as much as I can to make sure everything works as I go. Once I get to a basic install point I then only install the additional software I need as I need it. Some programs I may never reinstall. This will show what/when your problem started. I also create Ghost Disk Images along the way so if something goes wrong I can simply reimage the drive in as little as 5 minutes and go back to a known good state. Most advisable.

What all loads with Windows? Maybe some of that stuff.

Good luck.

[CSULB71]

I've pretty much decided to reinstall Windows -- Instead of trying to find the needle(s) in the haystack, I'll just rebuild the haystack.
And it would be nice to run GSpot, if I could -- anybody have an idea why both downloaded files, from different sources, wouldn't let me open a video file?
Thanks

[Scorpion King]

I don't know what version you're using but I have had problems with v2.60 RC01 - 19 Nov 2006. I have been using with good results v2.60 b00 - 04 Sept 2006 on XP.

I'd try one of the older version, maybe one will work right for you.

Good luck with the reinstall. Take it slow.

[CSULB71]

Yep, v2.60 RC01 is the one I tried... twice. I searched Google for the older version you mentioned, but every web site I checked had only the latest version (v2.60 RC01 ) for download. They listed/discussed older versions (e.g. "v2.60 b05 is now Win 9x compliant"), but no download offered. Any place you know of that has an older version(s) to actually download?

[Scorpion King]

http://bbs.betabbs.com/index.php?s=b9fc0a02cba4939e1e8a700d3ee91c68&showtopic=45450&st=20

bottom of page....
copy the link under "code" for the version you want and paste it into the address bar --> enter.

Good luck.

[CSULB71]

Video playback problem “solved”! For some reason, the nVIDIA audio drivers loaded for the on-board audio (Abit NF7-S Rev2 mobo) was causing the playback skipping. By disabling the onboard audio and installing a PCI sound card and drivers, video playback is now normal. My only guess is that the nVIDIA audio drivers may be for WinXP, and don’t like Win98SE (which I have).

Other issue with Gspot (which isn’t so important now ):
Scorpion King: I finally downloaded version v2.60 b05 (for Win98) from the link you supplied, and it does (or doesn’t do) the same as v2.60 RC01. Am I misunderstanding what the app is supposed to do? I thought I could open a video file and Gspot would tell me what codecs were required/missing. But I can’t open a file – either by typing a file path/name in the box, clicking on the rectangular colored button to browse, or by the menu approach of File/Open… nothing happens. What’s the right way to use this app?

[Scorpion King]

I'm not sure about Win98 but on XP I can right-click a file in Windows Explorer - Choose OpenWith - browse - then choose Gspot from the list. I can open Gspot then open a file using the File - Open command or the square with the 3 periods in it.

I would image the problem is version compatibility with Win98. You may need to try other versions until you find one that will work. Have you tried AVICodec 1.2 build 106? It claims to work with 98.

Hope you get it figured out
Good luck

[CSULB71]

Your tip on opening a video file in GSpot by right-clicking on it and selecting the "Open With" option worked. But that's the only way it would open a file, which isn't right, but I guess I'll take what I can get for now.
Also, the only way I got it to work at all was, I had to put the file in the same folder that the GSpot files are in... crazy!
Thanks very much for your help.

[Scorpion King]

Try AVICodec. I use it more than any info program I have ever tried. Quick-easy right click access from Windows Explorer. I only use GSpot on problem files and then very seldom.

Later