Making .avi video file work for game Age of Empires

[Aracuan]

Hello!

I've been trying to make my edited .avi file compatible for the game but it doesn't work in-game. I've tried some video editing programs. I tried changing codecs for video and it's audio, changing resolution and making audio conversion. Doesn't work.

So, I ask if someone here has experience with these old .avis. I could send my video to that one and maybe they could make the video compatible for AoE1.

Thanks,

Aracuan

[krykmoon]

You should analyze what codecs (audio/video) are used by the original AVI files in the game.. and try to compress your video with the same codecs... if possible.

I specify "if possible" because some games in the past used very strange (or proprietary) codecs, that aren't used anymore. AVI is only a container, like MKV.. it's the codec used that matters.

[oliverturner]

Hi Aracuan,

I’m new here, but your post caught my eye since I’m also curious about working with game files like .avis. I don’t have much experience yet, but I was wondering if you’ve tried using a tool like MediaInfo to check the exact codecs of the original game .avi files, as suggested? Maybe sharing the codec details you found could help others chime in with specific advice. Also, have you looked into any older video editing tools that might support those proprietary codecs? Thanks for posting this—it’s super interesting to learn about!

[Aracuan]

I used MediaInfo on one original AoE cinematic and this is what it shows:


[Attachment 86992 - Click to enlarge]

[oliverturner]

Hi Aracuan,

Thanks for sharing the MediaInfo details—that’s super helpful! It looks like the original .avi uses the Cinepak codec with PCM audio, which makes sense for an older game like AoE1. Have you tried encoding your edited .avi with Cinepak using a tool like VirtualDub or FFmpeg? I’m not an expert, but I read that Cinepak is tricky since it’s so old, so matching the exact resolution (320x240) and frame rate (15 fps) might be key. Also, did you get any specific error messages in-game when testing your file? That might give a clue. Appreciating all the insights here!

[Aracuan]

I tried both VirtualDub and FFmpeg. I'm not sure if it's about my skill or something else but I didn't make it work.

I didn't get any error messages in-game. It just shows the video interface without picture for like 1 second and then ends it. Also I don't see Cinepak in the picture I posted. I think there is Indeo 4.

[davexnet]

Indeo encoder here but you may need Windows 95 to install it
https://archive.org/details/intel-indeo-codec-3.2-4.1-5.0

[krykmoon]

I tried both VirtualDub and FFmpeg. I'm not sure if it's about my skill or something else but I didn't make it work.

I didn't get any error messages in-game. It just shows the video interface without picture for like 1 second and then ends it. Also I don't see Cinepak in the picture I posted. I think there is Indeo 4.

The point is not the tool you use for the encoding, but that they encoded the videos with a very VERY old codec (Intel Indeo), that was very popular at the time but it's not supported anymore. FFMpeg can read/decode that format, but not encode in that format.

There is no way to encode something in that format nowadays, unless you run a virtual machine with Windows95/98 (maybe 'till XP).