Can you tell me why a video file would only play audio, no video?

[FredL]

I’m running Windows XP, and my default media player is Windows Media Player 11. After I downloaded a video clip (properties: audio format MPEG Layer-3) and played it, widows media player opened, and at the bottom it says “acquiring codec” then “codec acquired” but all I get is sound, no video. A friend of mine downloaded the same file from the same link, and they didn’t have any problems (but I don’t know what operating system or media player they’re using). However, after I downloaded Media Player Codec Pack, the video played back just fine.

My question is: how do I know if it’s a problem with the FILE or with my SYSTEM (possibly my media player)? I wanted to burn the file onto a CD, but I’d like to know up front if the file is going to play correctly on my friend’s PC or not. This is the first time I’ve ever encountered this problem, and admittedly don’t know a great deal about the ins and outs of video files, codecs and players.

Thanks!
Fred

 

[johnb35]

A video codec is required to play the video if its encoded a certain way. I usually go ahead and install the Divx codec whenever I build a system that way the owners have no problems watching online videos.

 

[notabasketweaver]

^What he said.

You can also download and use VLC media player, which will play most things.

 

[kamikaze77]

^What he said.

You can also download and use VLC media player, which will play most things.

VLC is Wonderful, i would defiantly suggest getting it Ive never had any issues in it not playing something due to format

 

[Fira]

Here are a couple of sites I recommend you check out that may be able to help land.mediavlc.com and http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu_sc_selector_telephone?ws=mscom ; )