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How to play .AVI files in Windows Media Player 11?

Anonymous
2013-02-23T11:31:11+00:00

Hello.

I recently downloaded a .AVI movie. It plays fine in my Windows 7 PC with Media Player 12 but it doesn't give out the video (it plays audio only) in my Windows Vista PC with Media Player 11. How can I solve this problem? Do I need to get a codec or something?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-02-23T11:49:16+00:00

    AVI file format is a so called container format, the video itself in AVI can be coded in several ways. Missing video but audio OK normally tells that the needed codec to play the file is not installed on your system.

    I use Shark's codec pack for Windows, it allows WMP to play almost any format video files: http://shark007.net/

    Download and install the codecs, reboot and you should be able to play your AVI video.

    Another solution is to install and use the free VLC Player. VLC has all necessary codecs built in, so it usually plays just about every possible video file.

    VLC Player download: http://www.videolan.org/

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-02-23T11:43:07+00:00

    To See What Codec is being Used

    While playing the file right click it in the Now Playing pane and choose Properties. On the file tab will list the codecs being used. If Now Playing pane is not showing right click Now Playing on the command bar and tick Show List Pane.

    Disable Codecs

    Download Autoruns from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

    Start the program and click Options menu - Filter Options and tick Hide Microsoft entries.

    If you have identified a codec from first step disable that one. Else go to the Codecs tab. Untick one by one and see if you can play the file. Restart Media Player before trying to play the file.

    Media Player Fixit

    Click Play games, music or sounds, pictures or video and see the Fix Windows Media Player video, and other media or library issues Fixit.

    http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/

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