mpg43 and DivX codecs compatibility

[caymanone]

Hi everybody,
my first post, though I've been reading this Forum for a while... hope it isn't to dumb.

Well, here's my question : can I have the DivX codec AND the mpeg4 vki ver 3 both installed without running into troubles ?

Here's what happened to me in some detail, but maybe you wise guys already know the answer and can skip reading henceforth.

I wanted to make ASF to AVI conversion. Asftools can do that; it warned me, though, that the ASF file was coded with a locked codec (WMV something) and the AVI would not be playable; hence it suggested me to install mpeg4 vki ver 3 and reencode the ASF file to mpg43 first, then convert it to AVI (Asftools can to that as well). So I installed mpg43 from Nimo pack, and indeed it worked: Asftools succeeds in making playable AVIs, and using Virtualdub I've been even able to further reencode them to DivX.
Problem is... I am no more able to play my old DivX AVIs ! If I try to play a DivX with WMPlayer, after a while it gives an error about "uregistered class". If I try with DivX player 2.0, it simply hangs. Even the Windows "properties" do not work: it says that the file is corrupted (it certainly is not, it's burnt on a cd and I've played it lot of times). Then I uninstalled the mpeg4 vki ver 3, but nothing changed, no player is able to open my older DivX files (known to be good for certain). Any hints ?
Thanks, caymanone

[UncasMS]

tsunamis filterpack would have done a better job, but if you want PLAYBACK only, simply install FFDSHOW as playbackfilter and make it the default filter for all mpeg4 codecs.

[caymanone]

Thanks UncasMS, though I'm not sure I understand which problem you are instructing to fix. As for the ASF things, I'll give it up without pain. The real problem now is DivX playback. Something must be badly broken in codecs installation, I suppose after Nimo installation. If you still bear with me...

These are old AVI DivX files I encoded myself (under linux, using mencoder), so I know exaclty what's inside: DivX 5 video and mp3 (lame) audio. They used to play well.Now the weirdest things happen. The DivX Player 2.0 manages to play most of them. But if I try to get "Properties" for one of these files, Windows sticks there for a very long time, and ends up with "video format unknown", "preview not available". If I try to play them with WMPlayer, with some it just hangs; with others, it complains it misses a codec and asks to locate it on the net, but never succeeds, and finally it starts to play the audio only.
On the contrary VirtualDub finds correctly what these files are, that is, DivX 5.0.2 video and Fraunhofer IIS Mpeg layer 3 audio.

I have tired already to remove Nimo, re-install the DivX 5.0.2 package, and to install the ffdshow filter pack. Windows still does not recognizes these files.

Maybe I could reinstall WMPlayer as well, provided I could find an old version somewhere (I'd rather avoid 9.0).
Any idea ?
Thanks ! caymanone

[UncasMS]

install the ffdshow filter pack. Windows still does not recognizes these files.

did you try latest versions?

[caymanone]

Do you mean the "alpha" one ? Version 2003-05-23 from Sourceforge ffdshow page ?

If so I'll try it out. And, no, I had dloaded the "stable" one, which actually I see now is older indeed.

Going to try the "alpha" one and post back...
Thanks! caymanone

[setarip]

"On the contrary VirtualDub finds correctly what these files are, that is, DivX 5.0.2 video and Fraunhofer IIS Mpeg layer 3 audio."


In light of your statement above, as an experiment, load the file into the latest version of either VirtualDub or VirtualDubMod.

Set BOTH "Video" and "Audio" to "Direct Stream Copy".

Scan for and then mask bad frames (if any). Save with a new filename...

[caymanone]

Well, Thanks! I've installed ffdshow "alpha" and now WMPlayer plays my DivX's !
Something is still strange : "properties" from explorer give "video format unknown" and "details unavailable", while properties from within WMPlayer give "video format ffdshow MPEG-4 Video Decoder". But these are very minor points... I am more than happy with the result.

I have even reinstalled the mpeg4 vki (which was needed for asftools, and originated this mess, I think), and now it seems to do no harm.

I have also tried Setarip's experiment, saved the file from within Virtualdub with "direct stream copy" for both audio and video. Explorer "properties" still give "video format unknown" for the saved file. WMPlayer still plays it and gives "video format ffdshow MPEG-4 video decoder" just like the original one.

Or... should I have done the experiment without ffdshow installed ?

I sure would like to understand how these things happen; for instance, is there a sort of priority "if a DirectShow filter is found use it, otherwise look for a codec" ?

You might well tell me to Read The Fine Manual
Problem is, I don't know which manual...

Thanks, both of you !
caymanone

[setarip]

"I have also tried Setarip's experiment, saved the file from within Virtualdub with "direct stream copy" for both audio and video. Explorer "properties" still give "video format unknown" for the saved file. WMPlayer still plays it and gives "video format ffdshow MPEG-4 video decoder" just like the original one."

Now that you're able to play your videos, my suggested experiment is irrelevant. Congratulations on resolving your dilemma ;>}

[UncasMS]

like i said: ffdshow will do the job

since your system lacks the original codec you get the message: unkown codec.

ffdshow on the other hand is the default PLAYBACKfilter now (not the original codec), but your main concern was playback.