Windows media player

I am running Xp Pro and I have downloaded a old film (GiGi) from a Torrent site. When I try to play it using Windows Media Player it first of all says connecting and then says 'Error Downloading Codec'. It then starts playing the soundtrack but no video other than swirly coulour patterns.
I have deleted it and downloaded from another Torrent site (takes about 5 hours) but get the same problem. How do I play this Video, Windows Explorer says the type is 'Video Clip' 875MB.

 

Hi Paul,

First allow me to give you a heads warning about Torrent shared videos:
This is an older post but still holds true:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-xp/74611-video-codec-not-work.html

Then let me recommend you download a player that should play almost any video you throw at it.:
vlc player

If that doesn't work for you let me know.

 

I found I was running Version 9 of Windows Media so I have downloaded Version 11. It now aquires the codec ok but it plays the Gigi.avi file as though it is a music file so I don't get any video just the sound track.
I copied the file to my wifes laptop also running the same XP Pro version and her media player plays it fine. odd?
Paul

 

Hello again,

Warning once again:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/general-security/58941-beware-fake-codecs-could-trojan.html

Articles and linksOinterest
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278947

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279242

The whole shabang on what microsoft knows about avi problems
http://support.microsoft.com/search...spid=7763&catalog=LCID=1033&1033comm=1&res=20

Google hits for persons suffering from movie audio but no video
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...ut+not+video+.avi&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=

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The above is informative but it will all boil down to updated graphics device (possibly refresh rate and resolution), media player, directx and codecs.

First off try the vlc player I previously mentioned, this comes with it's own set of codecs built in. As I stated before, it will usually play any video you throw at it.

If determined to get media player to co-operate:

Download GSpot here to find out what codec is used:
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/GSpot.htm
Once you know which codec is needed or used then, find and install the correct codec.

or

Try installing the K-Lite standard codec pack .....

http://www.codecguide.com/about_kl.htm#variants

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