Strange Problem, MPG files won't play

[kabir2]

Okay, well it's not really a big deal if i figure this one out, cause I found a way around it. However, I would like to try to figure out the problem... whenever i open up a .mpg or .mpeg file through windows media or real player or any other player, i get an "unknown error"... reinstalled all codec packs, reinstalled winows media player... and still the same problem

I can get around the problem:

1) No file on my computer with a .mpg or .mpeg extension will play through windows media or any other program
2) All other media files play fine, including wmv, avi, etc.
3) if i change a file that ends in .mpg or mpeg to end in .avi or something else that plays, the file plays fine
4) if i change a file that is .avi or .wmv to .mpg the file no longer plays

i'm kinda just baffled... and no, before anyone suggests it, the problem is not that windows media player does not load when i open the .mpg files (meaning file association with the program was lost)... i'm not a complete idiot with computers...

 

[niji1875]

system errror, reinstall xp. hehe, that will be more effective

 

[kabir2]

Originally posted by: niji1875
system errror, reinstall xp. hehe, that will be more effective

lol, for now, i think i'm fine just changing the file extensions to .avi

 

[imported_nocturne]

Alright... first of all, avi files are a completely different format than mpeg. They both store info in completely different ways. The only way that changing the extension should work are: if the file was originally an avi file or if the program can still recognize the mpeg stream even if the extension is different. You should try using VideoInspector to examine what formats the videos are in.

Personally, I think the problem is caused by your codec pack(s). In my experience, the less codecs you have fighting for control the better. The only codecs you need for most media playback are ffdshow (you can use xvid if ffdshow is too complicated for you), ac3filter, and quicktime/real alternative. If you're encoding files, then you'd need divx/xvid or whatever codec you are compressing to.

Btw... all the files I named are available at afterdawn.com

 

[kabir2]

thanks for the replies... the files are definately encoded as mpegs... but they play when i change the file extension to anything but mpg... hell i can change the extension to .zip and play it if i open it with windows media... so the codecs are fine

thats why its just some strange error.... if i change a wmv or an avi file to .mpg it stops playing and gives me the same error...

again, its a very weird problem...

i only had basic codecs at first... i can't even say when the problem originated, cause most of the video files on my comp are not mpg's... i just recently discovered it

anyways, trying to solve the problem on my own, i downloaded a bunch of codecs, but still the only way to manage is to change the name of the files... any other thoughts are appreciated

 

[imported_nocturne]

I just figured I'd mention that it's possible that your files may have double extensions. I don't know where you obtained these videos, but double extensions are usually found in 'adult' videos downloaded from filesharing apps, and are often used as an exploitation.

By default, XP doesn't show the extension of most files unless they are of an unknown format, so a file named "Video.mpg.wmv" will actually show up in explorer as "Video.mpg" (and if the filename is "Video.mpg" it will show up as just "Video"). Changing the file extension usually requires copying a file in the command prompt (for example "copy video.mpg nideo.avi" in the command prompt). Changing the extension in explorer is only possible if you specifically enable showing the file extension in folder options under the file format options.

Seeing as you can play the file with a zip extension in media player certainly makes this seem to be the case (MP shouldn't be able to open zip files, period). I must express caution dealing with double extension files, since they are often involved in exploiting your system. The easiest way to check this is by opening the command prompt, navigating to the folder the video is in, and then running the "dir" command. If the file shows up with two extensions, or with a different extension than what you see in explorer, then it is a double extension (if you aren't familiar with using the command prompt, just ask for more help).

 

[kabir2]

Originally posted by: nocturne
I just figured I'd mention that it's possible that your files may have double extensions. I don't know where you obtained these videos, but double extensions are usually found in 'adult' videos downloaded from filesharing apps, and are often used as an exploitation.

By default, XP doesn't show the extension of most files unless they are of an unknown format, so a file named "Video.mpg.wmv" will actually show up in explorer as "Video.mpg" (and if the filename is "Video.mpg" it will show up as just "Video"). Changing the file extension usually requires copying a file in the command prompt (for example "copy video.mpg nideo.avi" in the command prompt). Changing the extension in explorer is only possible if you specifically enable showing the file extension in folder options under the file format options.

Seeing as you can play the file with a zip extension in media player certainly makes this seem to be the case (MP shouldn't be able to open zip files, period). I must express caution dealing with double extension files, since they are often involved in exploiting your system. The easiest way to check this is by opening the command prompt, navigating to the folder the video is in, and then running the "dir" command. If the file shows up with two extensions, or with a different extension than what you see in explorer, then it is a double extension (if you aren't familiar with using the command prompt, just ask for more help).

i always have file extensions shown out, cause a lot of the time, i need to convert random files to .txt for various reasons... so, yes, i am actually changing the file extensions... (i change it on every computer i work with, even when people ask me for help, just out of habit)

i was using .zip as an extreme example... if i change an mpeg file to .zip and then i have to right click on the file and click open with, select other program and then pick windows media off of a list... clearly, its much more convient to use .avi or something that opens default with a media program... i obviously don't want my files to open with win rar....

one last thing, even when the files are named .mpg, the video preview still shows up when the folder view is in thumbnail mode

 

[imported_nocturne]

Can you run the files in another player, ie. winamp or media player classic?

I would also try installing ffdshow (from afterdawn.com ), and make sure mpeg support is enabled during the install.