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Thread ID: 46801 2004-07-06 01:31:00 Situation Normal - Media Player not downloading codecs argus (366) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
250158 2004-07-06 01:31:00 I had a great surprise yesterday. Windows Media Player actually succeeded in automatically downloading a codec required to play a video file!

Usually the sequence of messages at the foot of the screen runs "connecting to codec server...sending request for codec..." then (invariably until yesterday) "...error downloading codec."

It's not a serious problem as I can usually use another player (or Playa). I find the VideoLAN vlc media player gives the most reliable performance.

But I'm interested in this consistently negative response from the Windows player; Is this just my system(s) - I'm sure I've experienced it on more than one - or does everyone have the same problem? Is the Microsoft server unreliable; is the fault in WMP - or is there some "zoning" kind of regulation which means New Zealand users are prohibited from downloading certain codecs for use with WMP?

Just curious.

Argus
argus (366)
250159 2004-07-06 01:41:00 Yeah I know where you're coming from. In my case I think it's because of my firewall settings (Kerio). But I'm slightly paranoid enough to block-full-stop© all but essential in's/out's that any Windows tries to make Greg S (201)
250160 2004-07-06 01:45:00 yep never been able to get WMP player to actually get a codec, i just dont use the program at all anymore.

But the same as you i find VLC to be the best player on the market plays everything i throw at it :)
Budda (2736)
250161 2004-07-06 03:07:00 Try this fixes.
Unable to Download Supported Codecs in Windows Media Player
Here (support.microsoft.com)
"Cannot play back the file. The format is not supported. (Error=80040265)" error message when you try to play a media file in Windows Media Player
Here (support.microsoft.com)
You receive an "Unable to download appropriate decompressor" error message in Windows Media Player
andHere (support.microsoft.com)
Windows Media Player Invalid File Format Error Message
Here (support.microsoft.com)
How to troubleshoot playback in Windows Media Player 9
Here (support.microsoft.com)
Mini wmp FAQ
Here (www.nwlink.com)
Codecs
andHere (www.updatexp.com)
johnboy (217)
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