AVI File

[Dutchy]

I have downloaded a AVI file but when I play it thru Media PLayer it only plays the audio not video, any ideas what I need to do? Thanks

[Johno37]

stop downloading porn?

[Westsider]

I have huge issues playing AVI files on Vista... yet they play through my XBOX 360 fine, or on my laptop (XP).

[Wedgie]

Need the latest codecs Dutchy, just google xvid codecs and you'll probably be right.

[Dutchy]

Need the latest codecs Dutchy, just google xvid codecs and you'll probably be right.

thats what i thought thanks, would Divx work OK?

[Dutchy]

Beautiful that worked a treat....now I can watch Prison Break from last week which I completely forgot about

Cant believe how good the quality is.....I guess Im used to watching pirated movies which are filmed in the cinema!

might have to get into more downloading now...

[Ingall]

Media PLayer

Try VLC. Plays almost everything without the need to download extra codecs.

[Mic]

What is a codec / how do they work?

[Wedgie]

What is a codec / how do they work?

A codec is a device or program capable of encoding and/or decoding a digital data stream or signal.

Basically media players like Windows Media Players or any other sort that plays things like mpegs, avis, wmas, etc, need codecs to play some media that is encoded a certain way such as xvid or divx.
Even DVD players you buy have codecs inbuilt into them to play stuff.

You can download codec packs online (just do a simple google search) that cover most of your codec needs enabling you to play any media, sometimes some media will only play sound or only visuals without the codec installed too.
When you download the codec, just run the exe file it is and it'll add everything for usually.

[Dissident]

A codec is like a driver for hardware.

Your PC can't use, say, a new video card unless you install the driver. The driver tells the PC what the card is, the model, and how to access/use it (in essence).

A codec is similar, it's almost a driver for a video file. The video is encoded in a certain way, and the computer needs to know how it's encoded. The codecs tell the computer how to decode the file.

[rodney fox]

VLC is certainly the way to go, it plays nearly everything. I hear there is about to be a good burning program for Vista soon also.