Windows Movie Maker Problem

[Paula De Niro]

Hi,

I am including the error boxes that come up when I try to import an AVI file into Windows Movie Maker.

The first box tells me to check the box in Options saying to automatically download codecs:
http://i38.tinypic.com/j6j4lg.jpg

So I went to Tools, Options and checked the right box.

The second box says if I have downloaded the codec, close WMM and try again. I did that, but the second box is still showing:
http://i38.tinypic.com/2ntkdcm.jpg

How do I get the right codec please?

I have Windows XP

Thanks

[Paul Komski]

Suggest trying a media player such as Gom Player (http://www.gomlab.com/eng/) or indeed WMP to see if they have any problems with the avi in question.

I have not done a lot of this sort of thing but WMM has imported avi files made by my camera without any problem and without, to my knowledge, downloading anything special. Particularly since in my options showing automatically download codecs is disabled.

[Paula De Niro]

Thanks Paul,

WMP - good thinking!

Sadly it would not play and although WMP says it acquired the codec, it also said in an error box:

Windows Media Player encountered a problem while playing the file. For additional assistance, click Web Help.

- which takes me to this page:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/webhelp/default.aspx?&mpver=11.0.5721.5268&id=C00D11B1&contextid=84&originalid=C00D109B

So it's possible the file is corrupt. I shall investigate further. I used Winavi to convert it, so that might need updating or something.

Thanks

[Sylvander]

1. VLC media player for Windows (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html).
Can't remember if I've tried using it to play AVI files in Windows.
Might take a trip into Windows and try it there, and report back.

2. VLC Media Player, Portable (http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/vlc_portable).
Used this in BoxPup under WINE.
Doesn't look nearly as good as 3 below.

3. I run VLC Media Player within BoxPup Linux and it looks REALLY GOOD, and plays well.
Handles AVI files with no problems.
Quicktime [qt] files it plays poorly [no sound and jumpy video].

[Sylvander]

1. Just come from BoxPup, and I'm running Win2000Pro right now, and have VLC Media Player version 0.8.6c installed [don't know if that's the latest available for Win2000Pro].
It runs fine and plays an AVI file [runs & plays & looks about the same as the portable version I have = version 1.2.0.1 that plays fine in Windows proper], but it looks primitive compared to the version in BoxPup.
Hopefully the XP version will look as good as the BoxPup Linux version.

[Paul Komski]

Using WMP as a "tester" would seem to point to a bad avi file. What did you convert it from and what with? There are a wide range of converting utilities and even though the whole area of video editing is new to me I have found Prism Video Converter (http://www.nchsoftware.com/prism/index.html) pretty darn useful. I have also found WMM to be a very useful bit of goods that ships with XP.

Just saw "I used Winavi to convert it". It's not something I'm familiar with.

[Paula De Niro]

I don't want to watch the files. I want to upload them to YouTube.

But first they need to be edited in Windows Movie Maker.

I used Winavi to convert it from DVD / VOB file to AVI file.

This is still about the home movies my Dad paid an expert to make that I asked about months ago. I still have not got it sorted out.

I've contacted Winavi to make sure it's the latest version.

[mjc]

Do the originals play in any player (stand alone/computer/etc)?

The copies never worked right, except in your stand alone player?

Are the 'rips' from the originals or one of the copies?

To me, it is beginning to sound like there is a bit more going on here. There is always a chance, that the 'pro' has enabled some sort of copy protection to prevent you from doing exactly what you are trying to...and before you say, those are my movies, remember, the guy who put them on DVD, unless specifically prevented, by a signed contract, from doing so, could very easily have copyrighted them and 'protected' them and, if he was really slimy, press charges for copying them.

Was there a written contract when the movies were turned over to him to put on disk? Unless the contract spells out that you/your family retain all rights, the guy transferring them to disk, could even use the material from them in advertising, sell clips for any purpose or just about anything.

[Paula De Niro]

Sorry for not replying. I have had to reinstall Windows XP, so I have to spend the next fortnight probably, reinstalling my old programs.

Yes, the guy does seem to have encrypted it somehow, but now there is no trace of the company. If I could just put them online, so overseas relatives can see them, that's all we want.

Yes to the first two of your questions MJC, although the last Q: "Are the 'rips' from the originals or one of the copies?":

I had backed up a copy of the original on the hard drive using Synback, but I will try it straight from the original DVD next.

But as I have to reinstall everything, I will have to come back to this.

Thanks for your help.