MPEG-2 Codec Clarification

[DeeBeeOZ]

I have searched the forums and haven't found anything that really answers my questions/confusion. Please point me in the right direction if there is.

1) I understand that WinXP doesn't come with a MPEG-2 Codec. I have the software installed as indicated in my signature below. With each of these able to open/render/convert MPEG-2 files why is it that WMP can't play them and the thumbnails don't show a preview image in Windows Explorer? Is it because these programs don't have a codec that can be used in other programs? GSpot does indicate in the video status "Codec(s) are NOT Installed."

2) I downloaded a trial of the Elecard MPEG-2 codec and this fixed the WMP and Windows Explorer problems mentioned above but when the trial expired I noticed that TMPGEnc had been using the Elecard Codec (The Elecard logo was stamped in the top-right corner of anything I converted, this disappeared when I uninstalled Elecard). Why would TMPGEnc switch to the Elecard Codec when it has everything it needs built in?

3) I haven't yet installed a DVD player on the PC or tried other free codecs because of the what I mentioned in (2) above. I am a little concerned about installing a free DVD player/codec that TMPGenc might start using and would result in poor output. AVSMedia have a free DVD player and I have read about ffdshow on the site. Would either of these resolve my problems without compromising my other software? I have Roxio Easy Media Creator 10 installed on another computer which solves the WMP issue but I still don't get thumbnail previews in Windows Explorer.

I hope this is clearer than the mud I am currently swimming through.
Many Thanks

[Krispy Kritter]

1) Gspot will tell you if you have a vaild mpeg2 codec installed or not...which you likely do. You likely just don't have one properly associated with WMP.

2) When you installed the new codec, it changed file associations. (same issue as number 1 above).

3)

[jagabo]

1) Programs can use their own private codecs. They don't have to install DirectShow codecs for use by other programs, WMP for example.

Windows has two systems for handling video: DirectShow and Video For Windows. These provide a simple software interface for dealing with video. Any program can use these interfaces to handle video. But programs don't have to use those interfaces. Many use their own code to handle video.

2) I suspect: TMPGEnc wasn't using the installed Elcard codec. WMP was using the Elcard codec to play the MPG files TMPGEn created. The Elcard codec was adding the logo to the decompressed frames as the videos were being played.

[DeeBeeOZ]

Thanks for the info!

Jagabo you were right about the Elecard codec and WMP. I copied some of the mpeg's to my other computer and surprise, surprise, no logo.

I have installed ffdshow and WMP is successfully playing mpegs. Explorer still isn't displaying thumbnails. I have tried all the tips I can find so far (regsvr32's , registry edits) but to no avail. Is there anything I might need to set in ffdshow that would help?

Elecard worked but costs. Does anyone know of a free codec that might work straight up?

Just answered my own question. I downloaded Stinkys MPEG2 Codec and everything seems to be working happily.