Codec Confusion

[jeff b]

Using MSP7, I have always put my content onto VHS or DVD. Today, however, I wanted to give a couple of little clips to a friend, so I put (source files are stuff I've shot on my camcorder) these into MPEG-2 files. But they can't be played on another computer because the other computer doesn't have the codec installed.

How to get around this???

Jeff B

[Jerry Jones]

Using MSP7, I have always put my content onto VHS or DVD. Today, however, I wanted to give a couple of little clips to a friend, so I put (source files are stuff I've shot on my camcorder) these into MPEG-2 files. But they can't be played on another computer because the other computer doesn't have the codec installed.

How to get around this???

Jeff B

Ulead MediaStudio Pro 7 includes the old Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 "LE" version, right?

That "LE" version of Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 gives you the option of including a "Ulead DVD Runtime Player."

That player should allow the user of any other computer to play the MPEG-2 files.

Hope this helps,

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[jeff b]

Actually, I'm more interested in a way to create a compressed video off the timeline of MSP7 that I can give anyone as a file, and that can be played on MediaPlayer on any other Wndows computer. Maybe use the ".wmv" compression type instead of mpeg? I only started with mpeg because it hardly takes any time at all, whereas windows media (.wmv) seems to take forever...

Jeff B

[Dr Mordrid]

Most all computers can play MPEG-1 but cannot play MPEG-2 out of the box because of licensing issues with MPEG-LA, who handles such things.

To get MPEG-2 capability one typically needs to install either a DVD player or MPEG-2 capable editing software to get a decoder.

MPEG-1 is a good but dated option. WMV is much better, meaning larger frame sizes and smaller files.

I'd also advise installing the latest build of the Windows Media Encoder so you have the latest goodies & options;

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx

If you opt to install the new Studio beta you'll probably have to update your MSXML services to MSXML 6.0. The required *.msi files are here;

MSXML download page....

,NET 2.0 is also required;

.NET download page....

None of these require Windows Advantage

[wkulecz]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx

If you opt to install the new Studio beta you'll probably have to update your MSXML services to MSXML 6.0. The required *.msi files are here;

MSXML download page....

,NET 2.0 is also required;

.NET download page....

None of these require Windows Advantage

IMHO a good reason not to use it. Try Xvid instead or even DivX. Once MS dominates the market for codecs it'll be pay to play. Ever notice how a *.wmv file that played fine last year now has media player say "no available codec"?

--wally.

[jeff b]

Thanks, Doc! The mpeg-1 works just fine.

Jeff

[Dr Mordrid]

IMHO a good reason not to use it. Try Xvid instead or even DivX. Once MS dominates the market for codecs it'll be pay to play. Ever notice how a *.wmv file that played fine last year now has media player say "no available codec"?

--wally.

DON'T use Xvid!! Bug city. DivX is fine but at a cost for full encoding.

n/p playing my old clips.

BTW: WMV in the form of VC-1 will be on HD discs, whichever format 'wins'.