Selecting MPEG-2 Codec in Windows XP

[DeeBeeOZ]

Can someone verify that I am using the correct method to select the preferred MPEG-2 decoder in windows XP? The problem stems from this situation.

I installed ffdshow and MPEG-2s play in WMP but there are no thumbnail previews in Explorer.
I installed Stinkys MPEG-2 codec as well and got thumbnail previews in explorer and MPEG-2's would play in WMP but were stretched on the horizontal aspect (This didn't happen when I only had ffdshow installed).

I installed Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility and set ffdshow as the preferred MPEG-2 decoder. The aspect problem mentioned above still happened.

Is there something that I am missing, a setting or not done correctly so that WMP would use the ffdshow decoder not Stinkys? Many thanks.

[DeeBeeOZ]

Anyone... Anyone... Even if it's just "It looks like you've done it right but don't know why this is happening."

Have I given enough information or perhaps not exlained what is happpening clearly?

Thanks

[Soopafresh]

I find the thumbnail preview in explorer to be unstable in general. I guess you can try the Dscaler 5 mpeg2 codecs.

[DeeBeeOZ]

Thanks Soopafresh. We must be thinking along the same lines. I just tried the Dscaler Codec but got the same results.

Dscaler plays the MPEG's in WMP with the correct aspect but doesn't display the thumbnails. I really need these so I don't have to preview each clip to find the one that I'm looking for.

I installed Stinkys again but the same thing happend. Got thumbnails, but the horizontal aspect is stretched in WMP. It seems that when Stinkys in installed along with another codec, no matter what order they are installed, WMP only wants to know about Stinkys, even after setting the other codec as the preferred. Is Stinky in bed with Uncle Bill?

Has anyone else experienced this?

[mattstan]

Hi,

Did you resolve the problem/which to use?

My question is similar:

I need to install an MPEG-2 Decoder on my new Win XP system, which should I install?

I posted it in another thread, url below, a few mins before stumbling onto your thread, unfortunately searching this forum for mpeg2 decoders gives 1000s of results:

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic345725.html#1810656

Thanks.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Stinkys may be set to a priority higher than preferred.

What is its priority and what is the priority when setting "preferred" via your codec utility?