WinDVD hijacked my Xvids

[mu4526]

I upgraded my computer yesterday, which included a fresh installation of Windows XP. After completing the initial setup, I installed Xvid 1.03 codec and tested a bunch of Xvids that I created using AutoGK. The movies all played perfectly, so I continued installing more software. After installing Intervideo WinDVD recorder, I went back to my Xvid files (which I prefer to play in WMP 10) and they no longer played. It's hard to describe how the files looked other than blurry and distorted...a little like old scrambled TV channels. Audio played back perfectly. I checked under File -- Properties and it says it's now using the Intervideo MPEG4 codec instead of Xvid to play back the files, which I would assume is part of my problem. I tried playing back the Xvids in WMP10 and Realplayer and they appeared distorted. However, if I use WinDVD recorder to view them, they play back pefectly fine. I really don't want to use WinDVD as my player, so I'd like to figure out how to get Windows Media Player working again. A more minor problem is that ever since the Intervideo codec took over, the files no longer have a preview thumbnail in Windows Explorer, just the generic windows media icon.

I noticed that a common fix to many problems here is to install the ffdshow filter, which I haven't done yet, but my main question is: Is there a way to tell WMP to go back to the previously working Xvid 1.03 codec instead of the Intervideo codec? The files worked fine before it started using the Intervideo codec, so I have to assume they're not damaged.

Sorry if my questions are kind of newbieish, but having never had problems with playback before, I'm a little behind on my research. Thanks for any help you can provide.

[tigerman8u]

did you try the decoder settings from the xvid folder in the start menu

[mastercontrol]

To expand on what Tigerman said, go into the XviD folder in the start menu and select "Configure Decoder". Under where it says "FourCC support", check off all the boxes in there and try playing one of the files you had a problem with to see if that helped.

Perhaps the files in question are actually DivX or another similar type?

[anonymez]

unfortunately, media player 10 does not have as many advanced features as other players, such as "media player classic" and does not allow you to choose your filter. there are several things you can do, though:

1. (as you already mentioned) download & install the latest (alpha) version of "ffdshow". if anything, you should notice better quality than playing back with xvid, and much less cpu usage

OR

2. play your files with "media player classic", which lets you pick which filters you wish to use in your system

OR

3. download & install "radlight filter manager" which lets you set the 'priority' of each codec on your system. you can set intervideo's codec to low, and xvid should be able to play your files.

I highly recommend you use the first two options together though