Member Avatar for willis86

Hi,

I am using windows XP and I am having trouble playing audio on some AVI files. When I open them in Media player it says "error downloading codec" This has also happened to a file which was working fine a week or so ago. I found out that the files contained Audio Data: Tag 85 so i downloaded the relivant codec (AC3 Filter) but the files still play with no sound. I also downloaded 'GSpot' which is a program which tells you what codec you need (if any) for a specific file and it said on each file that no audio codecs were needed. Is there any way of dealing with this without doing a system restore?
This is really annoying me now.

Any Ideas?

Wil

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Manuela84

Dani AI

Generated

Likely root cause here: the files reporting Audio Data: Tag 85 are using MP3 audio. Tag 85 (0x55) is MPEG Layer-3, which Windows XP can decode out of the box; AC3 Filter will not help because AC-3 is a different format (often tagged 0x2000 in AVIs). See Microsoft’s MP3 decoder docs and format tag mapping for details: Windows Media MP3 decoder (input tag 0x55) and Audio subtypes showing AC-3/0x2000 usage.

Quick triage that avoids a restore, building on and :

  • Verify you actually have a playback device: Control Panel -> Sounds and Audio Devices -> Audio tab. Make sure a default device is listed and test a known-good MP3. ’s experience matches this symptom.

  • Repair the DirectShow pipeline: re-register quartz (the core filter manager). This often fixes the generic “error downloading codec” message when the graph cannot build.

    regsvr32 quartz.dll

    Reference: Microsoft Community guidance on this exact fix: regsvr32 quartz.dll.

  • Remove codec packs and stick to essentials. Microsoft explicitly discourages codec packs because they can break playback by changing filter priorities. If installed, uninstall them before testing again. See .

Notes for later posts:

  • : many set-top DivX/XviD DVD players show “No audio” if the AVI’s audio is AAC or odd VBR. Remux to MP3 CBR stereo for compatibility:

    ffmpeg -i input.avi -c:v copy -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k -ac 2 output.avi

  • : in VLC, confirm Audio -> Audio Track is not set to Disabled, and in Tools -> Preferences -> Audio, toggle Output between DirectX and WaveOut; also double-check Windows’ default playback device and that nothing is muted.

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for Paddy

I'm not sure what's causing the problem, but I have a few tips which might help:

Uninstall every codec/codec pack you have at the minute. Use a registry cleaner to remove all traces of previously installed codecs (this is important). I recommend RegCleaner (I attached this file to another post a while ago, you can find it here: ). After you clean the registry, reboot your computer, then install the latest DivX codec, which can be obtained for free here:

www.divx.com

I recommend that you use the bundled DivX Player which comes with the codec, and I also recommend that you download Media Player Classic, which can be found here:

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Media_Player_Classic.htm

Sometimes different media players can play files that other media players cannot. So try your files on both.

If you still have trouble, try using the following codecs:

XviD
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Koepi_XviD.htm

FFDShow
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/FFDShow.htm

If your video file is an XviD you can try using the XviD Player, which can be found here:

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/XVid.htm

A lot of the time its just pot-luck when you get the correct combination of codecs.

I hope this is of some use! hehehe

Let me know if anything changed ;)

commented: =D +4
Member Avatar for mburkart

Suprisingly I have recieved this error as well, after mirroring a Hard disk into a new computer. I finaly tracked down the problem, I HAD NO AUDIO DEVICE INSTALLED. Make sure you have something in your Control panel -> Sounds and audio device area. A simple reinstall of my motherboard drivers fixed.

Member Avatar for bftfixer

I'm not sure what's causing the problem, but I have a few tips which might help:

Uninstall every codec/codec pack you have at the minute. Use a registry cleaner to remove all traces of previously installed codecs (this is important). I recommend RegCleaner (I attached this file to another post a while ago, you can find it here: ). After you clean the registry, reboot your computer, then install the latest DivX codec, which can be obtained for free here:

www.divx.com

I recommend that you use the bundled DivX Player which comes with the codec, and I also recommend that you download Media Player Classic, which can be found here:

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Media_Player_Classic.htm

Sometimes different media players can play files that other media players cannot. So try your files on both.

If you still have trouble, try using the following codecs:

XviD
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Koepi_XviD.htm

FFDShow
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/FFDShow.htm

If your video file is an XviD you can try using the XviD Player, which can be found here:

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/XVid.htm

A lot of the time its just pot-luck when you get the correct combination of codecs.

I hope this is of some use! hehehe

Let me know if anything changed ;)

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I've had sooo much trouble over he last 12 months trying to listen to some internet radio stations and some Media Player videos, i've writen and asked and begged help but until I come across your advise i was swimming in it! :P.
Anyhow I down loaded FFDshow codecs and checked almost every box in frustation to hit the right codec, any how IT WORKED!!! YipEEEEEeeeeee!!!! thanks again

Member Avatar for The Dude

Welcome to the site :)

Please feel free to stick around.......Glad ya got things working!

Member Avatar for pbrads

I had the same problem and tried the suggested fixes, these didn't work.

In the end I downloaded K-Lite and during the installation process it identified a conflict with DivX. The offending file was able to be deleted by installation process and suddenly I had sound on the avi file I had been having problems with.

Try this http://www.free-codecs.com/K_lite_codec_pack_download.htm

Member Avatar for The Dude

Welcome and thank you for your submission :)

Member Avatar for huyenco

I download some AVI movies and I play on the computer, it's working so well. When I play on the DVD player on my TV, it says "No audio" so no sound.

Member Avatar for Manuela84

Hi I have a problem listening to recorded audio files from my class. I usually used VLC media player and it worked fine, but all of a sudden there is no sound anymore. It seems on the media player as if the file is playing , however just no sound. Any suggestions? Ps: I basically have no idea about computers :D so please be understanding....

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