Member Avatar for princesslouey

i can't play any mpg files, only wmv files, how do i sort this out?

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Several members (, , , , ) already pointed toward codecs and alternate players. The guidance below is a compact, practical troubleshooting flow that narrows the cause (browser vs. file vs. system) and reduces unnecessary installs on an XP laptop with antivirus present.

Start by isolating the file. Save the .mpg from the webpage to disk and compare its size to a known-good clip. Play that saved file on the same machine and, if possible, on a different computer. If the file fails everywhere or is very small, the file itself may be corrupt or incomplete. If it plays on another machine, the problem is local.

Identify the stream type before installing anything. Use a media-inspection utility (one that reports “Format/Codec ID”, audio codec, and container) to see exactly what decoder the file needs. Match the decoder to the codec author’s distribution rather than grabbing random all-in-one packs. Create a System Restore point first. If the inspector reports an uncommon codec, obtain the official decoder from the codec vendor or the software vendor that published the format.

If the saved file plays locally but not in-page, focus on browser and security layers. Temporarily disable any web-scanning/web-shield feature of the installed antivirus, test with a clean browser profile or an alternate browser, and check that the browser’s media/plugin integration is enabled. Also try opening the page in the browser’s safe mode (extensions disabled) to rule out an add-on blocking embedded media.

Final checks: confirm the .mpg extension is associated correctly at the Windows level (Folder Options → File Types), keep media player components up to date for the XP era, and test the same file on another system or online inspector to exclude corruption. The replies in the thread pointed to the right areas; these steps expose the exact failing layer so the correct (and minimal) fix can be applied.

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Member Avatar for TheNNS

what program are you using? windows media player doesn't play mpg's. itunes does though, but I recommend vlc because it can play any format.

Member Avatar for princesslouey

yea wmv's play in windows media player fine but mpg's used to play on a webpage but now they don't for some reason?!! i'm on a samsung laptop with windows xp and i've got mcafee anti-virus software if any of them can be a factor??

Member Avatar for cwarn23

Try opening the mpg file with 'QuickTimePlayer'. Mose computers come with QuickTime and can also be download from apples website. Remember that when opening the file with QuickTime (the first time), you will need to right-click the file --> Open With --> Choose program. Then a window will come up. If QuickTime is not on the list, try to find it by clicking Browse then the most likely place will be in Drive C:\Program Files\QuickTime... If a QuickTime or apple folder (or simular) are there then you can download QuickTime at the website below. If the folder is found, open it and double click the QuickTime application, select the tickbox in the window you used to browse the applecation and click OK.

QuickTime website:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

Member Avatar for uniquestar

Don't use quicktime, baaad playback on windows machines, and not much can be done.

go to http://videolan.org/vlc and download VLC, I've never had a problem playing anything in it!

Member Avatar for TheNNS

>Don't use quicktime, baaad playback on windows machines, and not much can be done.

I disagree, there is nothing wrong with quicktime on windows. It plays perfectly fine, just like on a mac. But I agree with VLC as it's more powerful.

Member Avatar for dos_centavos

i can't play any mpg files, only wmv files, how do i sort this out?

You might want to review this article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316992

The statement from TheNNS concerning MPG and playback by WMP is not entirely correct. WMP will play MPG files. There are a number of reasons specific MPG files may not play most of which are due to missing or inappropriate CODEC(s). Their are as many CODEC(s) as their vendors it seems. A number of which you can find here http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/plugins.aspx

MPG file formats are:
Mpeg1- Originally used to create VideoCD's and in early Microsoft Windows media player, as well as early versions of Quicktime.
Mpeg2- The compression scheme used for DVD authoring
Mpeg3- Also known as MP3, compression used for music and portable music players
Mpeg4- Newest compression scheme, used by Apple Quicktime for web content and other purposes

As for opening media files in the web page you need to set the MultiMedia options in IE7 these options are located in Tools - Internet Options - click on the Advanced Tab and scroll down to the Multimedia section.

If you are using FireFox click on Tools - Options and in the File Types section click on manage - scroll down to the MPG entry highlight it and click on Change Action - here you can set the program that you want FireFox to use to open the file.

In WMP check Tools - Options and in the file types tab ensure that Movie file (mpeg) is checked. Under the Security tab check the box Run script commands and rich media streams when the player is in a web page.

Concerning the comment from TheNNS about Quicktime, Apple has gotten really gotten much better at it.

Member Avatar for TheNNS

I was confused with mpg and mpeg-1. WMP will play mpg's, like dos_centavos said, but you do need the right codecs.

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