Hmmmm, I can play the MPEG-2 files that I make with VV3 on WMP...........never had a problem.

The template for the SVCD NTSC says:

"Video: 29.97 fps, 480x480
Use this setting to create an NTSC SVCD-compliant MPEG-2 file"

I can play them with WMP and am wondering why my friends can't. I can also play the DVD template MPEG-2 files in WMP.

Perhaps I just have a special gift and am not supposed to be able to play them?

Thanks for your suggestion.........maybe you can play them with WMP too?

Ken M

Basically WMP will use any codec it can find that it needs.
I think when you installed VV3 and its mpeg2 codec you also blessed WMP with mpeg2 capability.

Its that MPEG-2 is licensed by the MPEG group I think. So unless you have some application that included the decoder it isn't going to fly, which is basically the same reason Microsoft's Media Player won't play Real Media anymore... licensing issues.

So as others already said you can play MPEG-2 on media player because you already have some software that was licensed that included the MPEG-2 decoder. Your friends apparently haven't.

Plus.....your friends should download a VCD player. Then they shouldn't have any problems playing the VCDs you make.


Also, here in the states - even though a DVD player says it can play a VCD ... that ain't always the case. A sure bet are some of the "newer" DVDs that are out that specifically say they can play "MP3s, CDR and CDRWs".

We finally picked up an APEX model (something crazy like $50). Plays my VCDs just fine. So now friends and family are picking up APEX or any other model that can play VCDs.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for everyone's help. I figured it could have something to do with VV3 blessing me with all sorts of good side effects. My friends are even less technical than I am, so trying to explain it will be fun, but I now have a better handle on the issue.

Thanks to all,

Ken M

Here's a link to the elecard mpeg-2 decoder.

http://www.elecard.com/ftp/pub/mpeg/decoder/EMpgDec20.zip

give your friends this link (or include it on your cd's) and when they install it they should have no problem playing mpeg-2 files!

BTW, there's a side issue with the mpeg1 and 2 codec that Vegas installs. While it makes wmp able to play mpeg2 it will also make it impossible to insert mpeg1 files into powerpoint. If for some reason you need to do this then you'll want to search this forum for a fix.

Who cares? mpeg1 is a pretty universally readable format so you might want to use it in powerpoint to distribute to corporate clients, schoolteachers, etc.

Rob Mack

Thanks for the help. I will give Elecard a shot.........seems like an easy solution for my friends.

Thanks,

Ken M

I think if you install any DVD software player (Power DVD,WinDVD) then you can view VCD,SVCD on your PC, also on playing SVCD/VCD on DVD Player go to www.vcdhelp.com check for the make/model of your DVD player, the cheaper one can play anything.