Subtitle Workshop does not play simple avi?

[flannob]

Greetings
I'm still working with Subtitle Workshop 2.51 (don't trust the two other versions).
I have few simple avi files (simple in the sense that they can be watched on a DVD supporting divx)
but I can't see them with Subtitle Workshop.
I know I can define an external preview but for the purpose of synchronizing subtitle it does not work.
What do I have to do to be able to play a simple avi?
Does Subtitle Workshop depends on external codecs? should I download the last pack from free-codecs?
re-install Subtitle Workshop?
please help
thank you

[Baldrick]

Don't download any packs.

Can you play it in windows media player?

Maybe time to try a subtitle editor that is still under development like subtitle edit.

[flannob]

I don't use windows media player but I can play it on kmplayer, umplayer, smplayer, classic media player....
Do I need go on?
If I'll ever find a tool more convenient than Subtitle Workshop (which I doubt) I'll switch
meanwhile VirtualDubMod is not half as convenient.
But maybe I'll try Subtitle Edit
Thank you for your quick reply and your idea

[videobruger]

If you decide to try Subtitle Edit note you can use VLC through Options -> Settings -> Video player

[flannob]

windows media player plays the avi along with subtitle edit, subtitle processor, subtitle tools
virtualdub refuses to play the avi due to lack of xvid decompressor.
maybe this sheds some light on the mistery
thanks again

[jagabo]

windows media player plays the avi along with subtitle edit, subtitle processor, subtitle tools
virtualdub refuses to play the avi due to lack of xvid decompressor.
maybe this sheds some light on the mistery
thanks again

Ah, you probably need a VFW Divx/Xvid decoder. Install the Divx or Xvid codecs.

[flannob]

thank you very much for your advice
only trouble is I didn't understand it
can you explain to a newbie?
what is a VFW and where do I find divx/xvid decoders

[videobruger]

http://www.xvid.org/Downloads.15.0.html

[flannob]

meanwhile found something called ffvfw in free-codecs, installed it, and it worked!
problem solved
many thanks