Missing a codec?

[jnojr]

I want to find out more info about a bunch of .mpg files... resolution, bitrate, etc. So I grabbed GSpot 2.70a But every file I open says:

Rendering failed: Following is the error reported by DirectShow:
0x80040265: [unknown]

Googling tells me this is probably a missing codec, since I get the same message on a bunch of .mpg files that are otherwise fine... they play, etc.

So... what codec am I missing? Where do I get it?

Thanks...

[poisondeathray]

What does it say about the video & audio codecs? use mediainfo (view=>text)

[jnojr]

MediaInfo tells me they're NTSC MPEG-2 files.

[MysticE]

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/dscaler_mpeg_filters.htm

[jnojr]

Why do I not already have a codec for this? This seems like about the most common, basic video file there could be. When I look at the list of codecs for GSpot, there are like 150 of the most bizarre things I've never heard of... why does it come with all of that dross but not MPEG-2?

And why do I want that particular one? Is it "the" official MPEG codec? Why is it socked away on some website anyone could have registered instead of included with video apps?

Further... why can I play these files if I don't have the codec?

Thanks for all the help, guys!

[Ai Haibara]

MPEG-2 requires a licensing fee, as I recall. It's why (or at least one of the reasons why) Microsoft didn't include an MPEG-2 codec with XP and earlier.