MPG Codex error

4110 wrote on 8/20/2004, 6:19 AM

Hi,

I wanted to share a video with a friend and rendered it in mpg. It worked fine on my computer, but not on my friend's machine. Windows media player reported Error Downloading Codex and then Unknown Error. I have now tried it on a total of six machines. It works on three of the six. Any ideas?

Thanks,

David

Comments

Former user wrote on 8/20/2004, 7:20 AM

If it is an MPEG2, this is not loaded by default. You need to find either an application that contains an MPEG2 codec, (such as a DVD player) or download one from the web.

Mpeg2 is a licensed codec, and as such, is normally not free.

Dave T2

4110 wrote on 8/20/2004, 7:57 AM

Thanks Dave,

If I want to share, what formats are universally compatible?

David

Chienworks wrote on 8/20/2004, 8:02 AM

I have no idea if this is related or not, but this is the first time i've ever seen this on my screen:

http://www.vegasusers.com/testbench/screenshots/chienworks-mpg_codex_error.jpg

Dunno ... i've been rendering to MPEG-2 and AC3 for months now with no problems, and the file i was rendering while that popped up is fine. *shrug*

Former user wrote on 8/20/2004, 8:12 AM

MPEG1 comes standard with Windows and will work on most Apple systems.

Dave T2

4110 wrote on 8/20/2004, 8:15 AM

Hi Chienworks,

I know what you mean. It worked fine for me too - until I tried to play the rendered mpg file on someone else's machine. I think DaveT2 explained it. A special codex is required. I had it, my friend didn't. So I am looking for a universal format that everyone has. By the way, the error didn't appear in Vegas at all. It was in the player - Windows Media Player for sure, plus my friend tried another player that didn't work, RealPlayer I think. Again, that supports DaveT2's idea. A different player won't fix it; it needs the codex.

David

apit34356 wrote on 8/20/2004, 9:10 AM

Chienworks; do you have ECC memory? examples I'm seem like this was do to a calc error and where a valid frame could not be generated within the GOP. mostly relatived to memory bit failure.

riredale wrote on 8/20/2004, 9:24 AM

4110:

You can do the encoding in MPEG1, as mentioned, or you can download an MPEG2 codec, as mentioned (do a search on this website; I think there are a couple of MPEG2 codecs that are freeware or trialware). MPEG1 delivers video that is comparable but slightly worse than VHS videotape; MPEG2 can be virtually transparent but means a bitrate of about 8 Mb/sec.

You best bet, however, is to use Microsoft's WMV9 codec. It's MUCH better than even MPEG2 (it's more sophisticated and newer) and any PC running 98se or newer can download the codec from Microsoft for free. Vegas can encode to WMV directly, or you can download the official Microsoft encoding user interface which is more flexible but also more confusing. The WMV encoder can deliver excellent video at 2-4 Mb/sec.

4110 wrote on 8/20/2004, 10:03 AM

riredale:

Thanks. I must have the mpeg2 codex on my machine because it works for me. Since I want to share it would be very nice not to have to include instructions on downloading a codex. I tried your suggestion to go to WMV and it works for me. I think that might be the solution but I'll give it the acid test (sharing) this weekend.

Thanks again.

David