MPEG2 file not playing in Media Player

rknauf wrote on 11/28/2001, 1:26 PM

I rendered an MPG2. In some Window's Media players it works, in others (same version or player) it does not. Does anyone have any idea what may be causing this?

Thanks,

bob

Comments

Veasna wrote on 11/28/2001, 2:13 PM

Windows Media only supports MPEG-1 stream (as it is probably included in DirectX). To play MPEG-2 requires MPEG-2 decoder which is not provided by Window Media or Microsoft OSes by default probably due to licensing cost. To play MPEG-2 on your PC, you can get PowerDVD or WinDVD player which cost about $50.00 or so.

Good luck,
-Veasna

SonyEPM wrote on 11/28/2001, 2:28 PM

Complicated issue, glad you've brought it up, here's the story:

If you wish to play back MPEG-2 in Media Player, a Directshow MPEG-2 filter must be installed on the playback computer. This is why you may be able to play MPEG-2 on your (Vegas) computer, and your friends may not be able to play the same file on their computer (they probably have no MPEG-2 decoder for Media Player).

Further:

Our old Ligos encoder was based on Directshow filters and that's why you can play MPEG-2 in Media Player on any machine with Vegas 2.0x installed.

Our new Main Concept encoder (as used in Vegas 3) does not use DirectShow, so if you have never installed Vegas 2 or any other app that uses Directshow MPEG-2 filters, you will not be able to see MPEG-2 in Media Player.

Question #1: Why doesn't Microsoft include an MPEG-2 decoder with Media Player?

Answer: MPEG-2 has a number of patent holders who charge fees now for encoding and who may charge additional fees in the future for both MPEG-2 encoding and decoding. MS wants no part of that- they could be hit up retroactively for millions of dollars as a result of ongoing litigation

Question #2: Will Sonic Foundry release a Directshow MPEG-2 decoder for Media Player?

Answer: We are working towards this goal now- there are a few legal and technical issues that need to be resolved but we hope to provide a Directshow MPEG-2 decoder for Media Player in the near future. Please note that this will be for use with installed SF MPEG applications only- you won't be able to email the decoder to everybody you know.

Question #3: Where can I get a Directshow MPEG-2 decoder for Media Player today?

Answer: Extensive information about this can be found at: http://www.vcdhelp.com/plaympg.htm.

Sonic Foundry endorses none of these solutions.

Question #4: What should I use MPEG-2 for?

Answer: MPEG-2 is best suited for burning to SVCD and DVD. MPEG-2 is not a great choice for delievering video clips over the web since most users will not have a decoder.