Problems playing Older AVI files with Windows Media Player 12 or other video players.

Question

Have some old AVI files I created with obviously older Sony Video Software in HD (720p) that no longer worked in VISTA or now Win7.  I may have compressed the music background which was already in MP3 format.  I was able to play the AVI files with older versions of Windows Media Player but now neither WMP12 or any converter program will read the AVI files.  The error codes normally will say I need to install a missing video codec.  Some programs will say ACM video codec "CFHD" or some will say FourCC video codec with no specific identification.  Are there codecs resembling any of the above offered by Microsoft?  Or is there another solution?

Answer 1

Hi,

There are hundreds of audio and video codecs in use today. Some have been created by Microsoft, but the vast majority of codecs have been created by other companies, organizations, or individuals. By default, the Windows operating system and the Player include a number of the most popular codecs, such as Windows Media Audio, Windows Media Video, and MP3.

There might be times, however, when you want to play content that was compressed with a codec that Windows or the Player doesn't include by default. In many cases, you can download the necessary codec from the web for free or for a fee. And, in some cases, the Player can automatically use the codecs installed by other digital media playback and creation programs on your computer.

If you know the name of the codec or its ID (known as a FourCC identifier for video codecs or a WaveFormat identifier for audio codecs), try searching the Internet using your favourite search engine. You can often go to a codec manufacturer's website to download the most recent version of a codec.

Codecs: frequently asked questions

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Codecs-frequently-asked-questions

Important Note: This response contains a reference to a third party World Wide Web site. Microsoft is providing this information as a convenience to you. Microsoft does not control these sites and has not tested any software or information found on these sites; therefore, Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there. There are inherent dangers in the use of any software found on the Internet, and Microsoft cautions you to make sure that you completely understand the risk before retrieving any software from the Internet

Hope this helps.

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Thanks and Regards:

Shekhar S - Microsoft Support. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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