Video files and DVD only playing... sound.
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Well this fucking sucks.
After some forced auto-updates to my comp (I always try to prevent it, but it restarted on its own after a long while of sitting on... dammit.), somehow now my media players and DVD players won't play video portions of files.
Just sound, and black screen.
Used a little Google-fu and found this is a codec issue. However, that is where my knowledge mostly ends. As far as I know, unbeknownst to me, some codec's file is now missing when it was once had installed. I have NO idea what it is, or how to fix it. I tried a codec detecting program but since I have no idea what to look for it's pretty useless.
I've been looking over downloading codec packs but all the most posted about ones also have cons listed like attached malware from some versions. I've reinstalled and completely reset all settings for VLC just to be safe, but... no dice.
WHAT DO?! ;-; So pissed... have a lot of new things I want to watch, and streaming online just doesn't cut it.
As per Flaser's suggestion, if it helps at all...
After some forced auto-updates to my comp (I always try to prevent it, but it restarted on its own after a long while of sitting on... dammit.), somehow now my media players and DVD players won't play video portions of files.
Just sound, and black screen.
Used a little Google-fu and found this is a codec issue. However, that is where my knowledge mostly ends. As far as I know, unbeknownst to me, some codec's file is now missing when it was once had installed. I have NO idea what it is, or how to fix it. I tried a codec detecting program but since I have no idea what to look for it's pretty useless.
I've been looking over downloading codec packs but all the most posted about ones also have cons listed like attached malware from some versions. I've reinstalled and completely reset all settings for VLC just to be safe, but... no dice.
WHAT DO?! ;-; So pissed... have a lot of new things I want to watch, and streaming online just doesn't cut it.
As per Flaser's suggestion, if it helps at all...
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Flaser
OCD Hentai Collector
I assume you're trying to play actual video DVD discs, correct? Is the playback of video files (avi, mkv, etc.) also affected?
DVDs can be region protected and are also "nominally" protected by Digital Rights Management. If there's anything wrong with the later system, you might not be able to play copyrighted content using Window's built-in playback.
Thankfully, DeCCS (the algorythm to circumvent the copyright protection on DVDs) is one of the most widely distributed pieces of software out there and many 3rd party media players use it by default.
Therefore Fruid's suggestion of trying CCCP is a good one, as it installs pretty much everything you need - from ffdshow for decoding video streams, to Media Player Classic Homecinema to play DVDs.
Another guess is that you MPEG-2 codec could've been somehow removed. FFDShow can handle that for you. In the start menu, go into Combined Community Codec Pack --> FFDShow --> FFDShow Video Decoder Configuration. On the codecs tab, find MPEG2 and set the decoder to either libavcodec or libmpeg2.
DVDs can be region protected and are also "nominally" protected by Digital Rights Management. If there's anything wrong with the later system, you might not be able to play copyrighted content using Window's built-in playback.
Thankfully, DeCCS (the algorythm to circumvent the copyright protection on DVDs) is one of the most widely distributed pieces of software out there and many 3rd party media players use it by default.
Therefore Fruid's suggestion of trying CCCP is a good one, as it installs pretty much everything you need - from ffdshow for decoding video streams, to Media Player Classic Homecinema to play DVDs.
Another guess is that you MPEG-2 codec could've been somehow removed. FFDShow can handle that for you. In the start menu, go into Combined Community Codec Pack --> FFDShow --> FFDShow Video Decoder Configuration. On the codecs tab, find MPEG2 and set the decoder to either libavcodec or libmpeg2.
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Flaser wrote...
I assume you're trying to play actual video DVD discs, correct? Is the playback of video files (avi, mkv, etc.) also affected?DVDs and video files as well. Even DVDs I've played tons of times won't work.
Fruid wrote...
Did one of those codec packs you downloaded include CCCP or K-lite? What's the extension of the movie file you're trying to watch? Ex: mkv, mp4, etc.DVDs and mkvs. I was going to install KLite but some post on its CNET page mentioned it had attached malware. Was gonna ask the folks here what a safe link might be.
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Kadushy
Douchebag
gizgal wrote...
Flaser wrote...
I assume you're trying to play actual video DVD discs, correct? Is the playback of video files (avi, mkv, etc.) also affected?DVDs and video files as well. Even DVDs I've played tons of times won't work.
Fruid wrote...
Did one of those codec packs you downloaded include CCCP or K-lite? What's the extension of the movie file you're trying to watch? Ex: mkv, mp4, etc.DVDs and mkvs. I was going to install KLite but some post on its CNET page mentioned it had attached malware. Was gonna ask the folks here what a safe link might be.
If you still want it... link.
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Kadushy wrote...
gizgal wrote...
Flaser wrote...
I assume you're trying to play actual video DVD discs, correct? Is the playback of video files (avi, mkv, etc.) also affected?DVDs and video files as well. Even DVDs I've played tons of times won't work.
Fruid wrote...
Did one of those codec packs you downloaded include CCCP or K-lite? What's the extension of the movie file you're trying to watch? Ex: mkv, mp4, etc.DVDs and mkvs. I was going to install KLite but some post on its CNET page mentioned it had attached malware. Was gonna ask the folks here what a safe link might be.
If you still want it... link.
Alright, I installed it. What the heck to do now, they still won't play correctly.
Flaser wrote...
Another guess is that you MPEG-2 codec could've been somehow removed. FFDShow can handle that for you. In the start menu, go into Combined Community Codec Pack --> FFDShow --> FFDShow Video Decoder Configuration. On the codecs tab, find MPEG2 and set the decoder to either libavcodec or libmpeg2.
What is FFDShow and how to get it?
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Flaser
OCD Hentai Collector
gizgal wrote...
Kadushy wrote...
gizgal wrote...
Flaser wrote...
I assume you're trying to play actual video DVD discs, correct? Is the playback of video files (avi, mkv, etc.) also affected?DVDs and video files as well. Even DVDs I've played tons of times won't work.
Fruid wrote...
Did one of those codec packs you downloaded include CCCP or K-lite? What's the extension of the movie file you're trying to watch? Ex: mkv, mp4, etc.DVDs and mkvs. I was going to install KLite but some post on its CNET page mentioned it had attached malware. Was gonna ask the folks here what a safe link might be.
If you still want it... link.
Alright, I installed it. What the heck to do now, they still won't play correctly.
Flaser wrote...
Another guess is that you MPEG-2 codec could've been somehow removed. FFDShow can handle that for you. In the start menu, go into Combined Community Codec Pack --> FFDShow --> FFDShow Video Decoder Configuration. On the codecs tab, find MPEG2 and set the decoder to either libavcodec or libmpeg2.
What is FFDShow and how to get it?
FFDShow is a Direct Show implementation of FFMpeg. Direct Show is the system most windows media players use, so Windows Media Player, Winamp and even Media Player Classic Homecinema use it. FFMpeg is an opensource decoder that can handle pretty much any widespread format (MPEG-I,II, DivX, Xvid, etc.) known to man.
FFDShow can be installed on its own, and afterwards it will be available in all media players using the Direct Show system. Configuring what formats (...and here, I'm talking about the video stream *inside* your avi and mkv files) is done in the way I described above.
Alternatively, you can just install CCCP, which install FFDShow, Media Player Classic Homecinema and VSFilter, the last handling subtitle decoding and rendering.
Before you try anything else though please tell us:
-What media player are you using to play the files/DVDs? (Windows Media Player, VLC, etc.)
-Whether the symptoms are the same for all kinds of media (avi, mkv, DVD) or not.
-...and any and all error messages you might get.
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Flaser wrote...
FFDShow is a Direct Show implementation of FFMpeg. Direct Show is the system most windows media players use, so Windows Media Player, Winamp and even Media Player Classic Homecinema use it. FFMpeg is an opensource decoder that can handle pretty much any widespread format (MPEG-I,II, DivX, Xvid, etc.) known to man.
FFDShow can be installed on its own, and afterwards it will be available in all media players using the Direct Show system. Configuring what formats (...and here, I'm talking about the video stream *inside* your avi and mkv files) is done in the way I described above.
Alternatively, you can just install CCCP, which install FFDShow, Media Player Classic Homecinema and VSFilter, the last handling subtitle decoding and rendering.
Before you try anything else though please tell us:
-What media player are you using to play the files/DVDs? (Windows Media Player, VLC, etc.)
-Whether the symptoms are the same for all kinds of media (avi, mkv, DVD) or not.
-...and any and all error messages you might get.
I played various .avi and .mkv files, as well as DVDs, on VLC. The DVDs won't work in Windows Media Player either.
No error messages, they just play as if all is going fine, but it's clearly not: all sound and no video.
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Flaser
OCD Hentai Collector
VLC doesn't use the Direct Show system, so reinstalling codecs won't help with that. If you reinstalled VLC it should be able to play everything as-is, since it doesn't use Direct Show components for playback.
I have a feeling that you migth've installed some software that made itself, or its Direct Show component the default decoder for a variety formats, therefore interfering with playback. Did you install Nero Burning ROM or something similar?
I have a feeling that you migth've installed some software that made itself, or its Direct Show component the default decoder for a variety formats, therefore interfering with playback. Did you install Nero Burning ROM or something similar?
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Flaser wrote...
VLC doesn't use the Direct Show system, so reinstalling codecs won't help with that. If you reinstalled VLC it should be able to play everything as-is, since it doesn't use Direct Show components for playback.I have a feeling that you migth've installed some software that made itself, or its Direct Show component the default decoder for a variety formats, therefore interfering with playback. Did you install Nero Burning ROM or something similar?
Nope. No installations of any new media players/ROMs. I did update VLC as it asked, but I've restarted since then and checked all settings and nothing seems new.
This is SO frustrating, I have tons of new things I'd like to be watching this season.
No errors happen when I play a file. For example, here's what my settings show (random moment of playing data taken) when I played an .mkv of The Big O.

As if nothing is wrong.
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Flaser
OCD Hentai Collector
Gizgal, you still haven't told us what software you're using to do what. It might seem obvious to you, but it's not clear to me whether you're using VLC as your initial post indicates and your follow up hints at or something else.
If that's the case, I can't really help thought, since I haven't used it myself. I can just reiterate the advice to try CCCP and use Media Player Classic, as I *am* familiar with the Direct Show system and its vagaries.
If you insist on VLC, you really should try their own support forums as the player is pretty much stand-alone, using its own decoders for everything.
If that's the case, I can't really help thought, since I haven't used it myself. I can just reiterate the advice to try CCCP and use Media Player Classic, as I *am* familiar with the Direct Show system and its vagaries.
If you insist on VLC, you really should try their own support forums as the player is pretty much stand-alone, using its own decoders for everything.
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Flaser wrote...
Gizgal, you still haven't told us what software you're using to do what. It might seem obvious to you, but it's not clear to me whether you're using VLC as your initial post indicates and your follow up hints at or something else.If that's the case, I can't really help thought, since I haven't used it myself. I can just reiterate the advice to try CCCP and use Media Player Classic, as I *am* familiar with the Direct Show system and its vagaries.
If you insist on VLC, you really should try their own support forums as the player is pretty much stand-alone, using its own decoders for everything.
Yeah, it's VLC. Sorry, I assumed you were familiar with it.
I'll try CCCP, and let you know how that goes.
EDIT: Ok, installed CCCP and tried opening an .mkv in it. No luck, same issue, but grey screen now. Did try an .avi file and it worked, though!
Also, how do I get the FFDShow files to open? Nothing happens when I "open" them (as you suggested I do earlier in the thread).
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Flaser
OCD Hentai Collector
gizgal wrote...
Flaser wrote...
Gizgal, you still haven't told us what software you're using to do what. It might seem obvious to you, but it's not clear to me whether you're using VLC as your initial post indicates and your follow up hints at or something else.If that's the case, I can't really help thought, since I haven't used it myself. I can just reiterate the advice to try CCCP and use Media Player Classic, as I *am* familiar with the Direct Show system and its vagaries.
If you insist on VLC, you really should try their own support forums as the player is pretty much stand-alone, using its own decoders for everything.
Yeah, it's VLC. Sorry, I assumed you were familiar with it.
I'll try CCCP, and let you know how that goes.
EDIT: Ok, installed CCCP and tried opening an .mkv in it. No luck, same issue, but grey screen now. Did try an .avi file and it worked, though!
Also, how do I get the FFDShow files to open? Nothing happens when I "open" them (as you suggested I do earlier in the thread).
Err... you must've misunderstood what I meant. FFDShow is a pair of Direct Show filters (one for video, another for audio). Any program using the Direct Show system (like Media Player Classic) can invoke it to decode content.
As for mkv, you need three things, (OK, four with subtitles) for playback:
1. A splitter that separates the audio, video and subtitle streams from the mkv.
2. A video decoder that takes the video stream and uncompresses it for the renderer.
3. An audio decoder that does the same with the audio stream.
4. ...and yet another decoder that takes the subtitle stream and creates the video-stream to be sent to the renderer.
Since avi files seem to be playing, FFDShow could be correctly invoked. Could you open an avi file, right-click, and post the contents of the "Properties --> Details"?
It should be smg. like this:
Video: Xvid 608x256 23.98fps [Stream 00]
Audio: MPEG Audio Layer 3 48000Hz stereo 128kbps [Stream 01]
While you're at it, could you confirm that FFDShow audio and video filter show up in the "Filters" right click menu?
As for the mkv issue, it could be either the mkv splitter (Haali) not being correctly invoked for mkv files, or the video stream decoder.
The latest CCCP release doesn't use FFDShow for h264 video (the format usually used for anime mkv releases), instead they've opted for a more optimized filter called LAV.
Trying h264 playback with FFDShow is worth a shot, try this:
Start --> Combined Community Codec Pack --> CCCP Settings
You'll get the same configuration wizard like what you saw during installation. Make sure that all format (h.264, Divx, Xvid, Flahs, Theora) are ticked in the FFDShow Video Decoders selection. Press Next, and on the next screen make sure Media Player Classic is selected from the drop down list for all file format (avi, mkv, mp4, ogm). Make sure that mkv is ticked in the Haali Media Splitter configuration.
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Flaser wrote...
Err... you must've misunderstood what I meant. FFDShow is a pair of Direct Show filters (one for video, another for audio). Any program using the Direct Show system (like Media Player Classic) can invoke it to decode content.
As for mkv, you need three things, (OK, four with subtitles) for playback:
1. A splitter that separates the audio, video and subtitle streams from the mkv.
2. A video decoder that takes the video stream and uncompresses it for the renderer.
3. An audio decoder that does the same with the audio stream.
4. ...and yet another decoder that takes the subtitle stream and creates the video-stream to be sent to the renderer.
Since avi files seem to be playing, FFDShow could be correctly invoked. Could you open an avi file, right-click, and post the contents of the "Properties --> Details"?
It should be smg. like this:
Video: Xvid 608x256 23.98fps [Stream 00]
Audio: MPEG Audio Layer 3 48000Hz stereo 128kbps [Stream 01]
While you're at it, could you confirm that FFDShow audio and video filter show up in the "Filters" right click menu?
As for the mkv issue, it could be either the mkv splitter (Haali) not being correctly invoked for mkv files, or the video stream decoder.
The latest CCCP release doesn't use FFDShow for h264 video (the format usually used for anime mkv releases), instead they've opted for a more optimized filter called LAV.
Trying h264 playback with FFDShow is worth a shot, try this:
Start --> Combined Community Codec Pack --> CCCP Settings
You'll get the same configuration wizard like what you saw during installation. Make sure that all format (h.264, Divx, Xvid, Flahs, Theora) are ticked in the FFDShow Video Decoders selection. Press Next, and on the next screen make sure Media Player Classic is selected from the drop down list for all file format (avi, mkv, mp4, ogm). Make sure that mkv is ticked in the Haali Media Splitter configuration.
OH THANK GOD. Got it to work, just had forgotten to set the splitter details.
MANY thanks. I owe ya one!
Well it does work, for sure, but it still is black when going full screen. WTF? It only lets me click and drag to enlarge the window, but full screen and the maximize button turn the screen black and no video. D;
Also a bunch of files I know have subtitle options no longer allow me to even select a subtitle track (none are available) ;-;?
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Flaser
OCD Hentai Collector
gizgal wrote...
Flaser wrote...
Err... you must've misunderstood what I meant. FFDShow is a pair of Direct Show filters (one for video, another for audio). Any program using the Direct Show system (like Media Player Classic) can invoke it to decode content.
As for mkv, you need three things, (OK, four with subtitles) for playback:
1. A splitter that separates the audio, video and subtitle streams from the mkv.
2. A video decoder that takes the video stream and uncompresses it for the renderer.
3. An audio decoder that does the same with the audio stream.
4. ...and yet another decoder that takes the subtitle stream and creates the video-stream to be sent to the renderer.
Since avi files seem to be playing, FFDShow could be correctly invoked. Could you open an avi file, right-click, and post the contents of the "Properties --> Details"?
It should be smg. like this:
Video: Xvid 608x256 23.98fps [Stream 00]
Audio: MPEG Audio Layer 3 48000Hz stereo 128kbps [Stream 01]
While you're at it, could you confirm that FFDShow audio and video filter show up in the "Filters" right click menu?
As for the mkv issue, it could be either the mkv splitter (Haali) not being correctly invoked for mkv files, or the video stream decoder.
The latest CCCP release doesn't use FFDShow for h264 video (the format usually used for anime mkv releases), instead they've opted for a more optimized filter called LAV.
Trying h264 playback with FFDShow is worth a shot, try this:
Start --> Combined Community Codec Pack --> CCCP Settings
You'll get the same configuration wizard like what you saw during installation. Make sure that all format (h.264, Divx, Xvid, Flahs, Theora) are ticked in the FFDShow Video Decoders selection. Press Next, and on the next screen make sure Media Player Classic is selected from the drop down list for all file format (avi, mkv, mp4, ogm). Make sure that mkv is ticked in the Haali Media Splitter configuration.
OH THANK GOD. Got it to work, just had forgotten to set the splitter details.
MANY thanks. I owe ya one!
Well it does work, for sure, but it still is black when going full screen. WTF? It only lets me click and drag to enlarge the window, but full screen and the maximize button turn the screen black and no video. D;
Also a bunch of files I know have subtitle options no longer allow me to even select a subtitle track (none are available) ;-;?
Gizgal, for the millionth time - please clarify what program you're using to do what! I *assume* you're using Media Player Classic - Home Cinema.
Go into View -> Options (or just press "O"), select Playback -> Output, and make sure D3D Fullscreen is *NOT* ticked, as well as that EVR Custom Pres.** is set as the renderer.
As for the subtitles: just press "S", or right-click, Navigate -> Subtitle Language.
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Flaser wrote...
Gizgal, for the millionth time - please clarify what program you're using to do what! I *assume* you're using Media Player Classic - Home Cinema.
Go into View -> Options (or just press "O"), select Playback -> Output, and make sure D3D Fullscreen is *NOT* ticked, as well as that EVR Custom Pres.** is set as the renderer.
As for the subtitles: just press "S", or right-click, Navigate -> Subtitle Language.
Sorry, yes, I am now using MPClassic.
None of those options are ticked, or possible to tick. I can't select EVR options either (right now it's set to Direct Show Video -> Overlay Mixer * ).
As to Navigate options, it's not even letting me select Subtitles field (it's greyed out).
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Flaser
OCD Hentai Collector
Hmm... I have a nagging feeling you don't have the appropriate driver for you GPU installed:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/quadro-notebook-winxp-x32-307.45-whql-driver.html
You might also need to update DirectX (since the Direct Show system is a DirectX component):
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34429
http://www.nvidia.com/object/quadro-notebook-winxp-x32-307.45-whql-driver.html
You might also need to update DirectX (since the Direct Show system is a DirectX component):
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34429
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Flaser wrote...
Hmm... I have a nagging feeling you don't have the appropriate driver for you GPU installed:http://www.nvidia.com/object/quadro-notebook-winxp-x32-307.45-whql-driver.html
You might also need to update DirectX (since the Direct Show system is a DirectX component):
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34429
Ok. Installed DirectX updates. Still no subs.
Now installing the driver.
EDIT:
Did so. Still no subs available on my files with softsubs :(
To also clarify, still using CCCP/Media Player Classic.
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Flaser
OCD Hentai Collector
What about not being able to do a full-screen playback or choosing a different renderer? Could you send me more information on those files? (right-click, "Properties --> Details")
an example:
Video: MPEG4 Video (H264) 640x480 23.98fps [Video]
Audio: Vorbis 48000Hz stereo [Audio]
Subtitle: Advanced SubStation Alpha [Subtitle]
contents of the details tab:
Does anything show up in the "Navigate -> Subtitle Language" menu?
an example:
Video: MPEG4 Video (H264) 640x480 23.98fps [Video]
Audio: Vorbis 48000Hz stereo [Audio]
Subtitle: Advanced SubStation Alpha [Subtitle]
contents of the details tab:
Spoiler:
Does anything show up in the "Navigate -> Subtitle Language" menu?
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Flaser wrote...
What about not being able to do a full-screen playback or choosing a different renderer? Could you send me more information on those files? (right-click, "Properties --> Details")an example:
Video: MPEG4 Video (H264) 640x480 23.98fps [Video]
Audio: Vorbis 48000Hz stereo [Audio]
Subtitle: Advanced SubStation Alpha [Subtitle]
contents of the details tab:
Spoiler:
Does anything show up in the "Navigate -> Subtitle Language" menu?
When I do Navigate-> Subtitle Language,it won't let me even go to a submenu (greyed out again).
Here's what my details look like for an example .mkv file.

The cut off text is this:
Video: MPEG4 Video (H264) 1024x576 23.98fps [Undetermined, H.264 (Video 1) [Default]]
Audio: AAC 48000Hz stereo [Japanese, Japanese 2.0 AAC (Audio 1) [Default]]
Subtitle: Advanced SubStation Alpha [English, English subtitles (Subtitle 1) [Default]]