Codec hell meltdown

**loninappleton** · 05-24-2006, 09:04 PM

I encountered a problem when trying to view a downloaded mp4 in Winamp 5.2.

I inspected the version and saw that apparently mp4 was
added to Winamp to version 5.2.1.

So I went and downloaded the newer Winamp current
version.

Elsewhere in trying to find out why I had audio in the
mp4 but no video, I found the advice to download
k-lite codec pack which, it averred, is good for everything.

The download came from free.codecs.

While at free.codecs they showed an upgrade for AC'97
so I dowmloaded that and installed it _first._

Next, a sample load of the new Winamp gave a jumbled
load of the program and a wait-for error issued as it
was looking for something it couldn't find.

I yanked the drive and am running on my backup.

How can I straighten this mess out? Is it a faulty download of Winamp? Is the motherboard version of
AC'97 the only one that will work and these so-called
improvements should not be used?

Please help with a diagnosis, extract the bad stuff and
install what I need to view mp4 (not necessarily Winamp.)

My backup drive has "Realtek AC'97" listed in the
add/remove list. I do not recall what codec stuff got put in there.

incidentally: this new installation also jammed my use of
Real Alternative player, so it got into everything.

The most disturbing this was the fact that the new Winamp would not even display it's screen properly.

Thanks in advance for your usual great assistance.

**loninappleton** · 05-24-2006, 10:10 PM

I came back to report that the softwares Winamp and
Real Alternative 1.48 are back up and not defective.

I tested with various audio and video and both are functioning and the new Winamp does show mp4 in the
file type list.

Is there something I don't know about mp4? That it is
supposed to show video?

Weli, I deleted the file and have chalked it up to a
bad learning experience.

What remains is the question about k-lite mega codec which I am downloading but unsure if I should execute it.

longboneslinger · 05-25-2006, 10:22 PM

Personally, I've never had a prob with the k-lite pack. I've used it for about 3 years. Nice. I'm no guru, but heres 2 suggestions.
1-Dont install more codecs than you need. Some dont play nice with others and their kinda like kids. You gotta put'em all in a room to see. It can also be a real pain to figure out which ones are acting up, especially if you just installed 20 or so. K-Lite lets you pick, so just install the one you need. As I recall, it also has the Windows Media Player alternative. Beats WMP, not that most dont.
2- Try VideoLan. It's my fav. It's an open source freeware video player that'll play just about anything including bad/corrupted vids.

Hope this helps.
Later taters,
bone

PS Try Doom9 for all video questions.

05-24-2006, 09:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
loninappleton TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 745 OS: Win2k, XP	Codec hell meltdown I encountered a problem when trying to view a downloaded mp4 in Winamp 5.2. I inspected the version and saw that apparently mp4 was added to Winamp to version 5.2.1. So I went and downloaded the newer Winamp current version. Elsewhere in trying to find out why I had audio in the mp4 but no video, I found the advice to download k-lite codec pack which, it averred, is good for everything. The download came from free.codecs. While at free.codecs they showed an upgrade for AC'97 so I dowmloaded that and installed it _first._ Next, a sample load of the new Winamp gave a jumbled load of the program and a wait-for error issued as it was looking for something it couldn't find. I yanked the drive and am running on my backup. How can I straighten this mess out? Is it a faulty download of Winamp? Is the motherboard version of AC'97 the only one that will work and these so-called improvements should not be used? Please help with a diagnosis, extract the bad stuff and install what I need to view mp4 (not necessarily Winamp.) My backup drive has "Realtek AC'97" listed in the add/remove list. I do not recall what codec stuff got put in there. incidentally: this new installation also jammed my use of Real Alternative player, so it got into everything. The most disturbing this was the fact that the new Winamp would not even display it's screen properly. Thanks in advance for your usual great assistance.

05-24-2006, 10:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
loninappleton TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 745 OS: Win2k, XP	I'm pleased to report I came back to report that the softwares Winamp and Real Alternative 1.48 are back up and not defective. I tested with various audio and video and both are functioning and the new Winamp does show mp4 in the file type list. Is there something I don't know about mp4? That it is supposed to show video? Weli, I deleted the file and have chalked it up to a bad learning experience. What remains is the question about k-lite mega codec which I am downloading but unsure if I should execute it.

05-25-2006, 10:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
longboneslinger Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 30 OS: xp	Hope this helps....... Personally, I've never had a prob with the k-lite pack. I've used it for about 3 years. Nice. I'm no guru, but heres 2 suggestions. 1-Dont install more codecs than you need. Some dont play nice with others and their kinda like kids. You gotta put'em all in a room to see. It can also be a real pain to figure out which ones are acting up, especially if you just installed 20 or so. K-Lite lets you pick, so just install the one you need. As I recall, it also has the Windows Media Player alternative. Beats WMP, not that most dont. 2- Try VideoLan. It's my fav. It's an open source freeware video player that'll play just about anything including bad/corrupted vids. Hope this helps. Later taters, bone PS Try Doom9 for all video questions.