playing and downloading mpeg files

Does anyone have a clue as to why I am unable to play or download mpeg files from the internet? My default player is Windows Media. I am able to download and play mpeg files in messages but those mpeg files in specific folders will not download or play. I get an error message "invalid file" or in some cases I get an HTML file.

It is not life threatening, just aggravating.

Jerry

 

I'll take the easy way out and send you to these first :

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14428

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15063

 

Darn. Couldn't find either of the files on my hard drive and the other solution didn't solve anything either. The message I get seem to be different. "invalid file" and attempting to download an HTML file.

Jerry

 

but those mpeg files in specific folders will not download or play. I get an error message "invalid file" or in some cases I get an HTML file.

1. What version of WMP are you running?
2. Not sure what you mean by "files in specific folders ". Are these folders on the net? Like file sharing, Kazaa, etc?
3. Some web sites have designed the mpeg file to automatically open a new window and play the mpeg within the new window. If you right click and select "save target as ", that's when you usually get the html.

 

Besides aleekat's questions, are you using any download software, like DAP or GetRight?

Try this. Open Media Player then go to Tools > Options > Devices Tab.
Highlight Speakers in the list and then click the Properties button on your
lower right. Change (Audio Devices to use), to 'Default Direct Sound
Device'.

And what is the exact wording of that html message? As aleekat says, those links often lead to an html page containing the file rather than the file itself. But, I don't get any message---it just downloads the html .

 

When you say "mpeg" are you talking about the mime type or the file extension? Are these audio mpeg files? If so, try this link and tell us exactly what happens:

http://home.att.net/~shelalice/files/Brass.mp3

I also have Windows Media Player (version 6.4) as the default player for all audio files (I used to have Real Player associated with .mp3, then later switched back to WMP6.4 after also trying WinAmp 2.79). In my View Options Filetypes, I show MP3file with Extension: MP3 Content Type (Mime) audio/mpeg. When I click on any .mp3 file on my hard drive, WMP6.4 opens.

I used to have a problem opening MP3 files from a webpage link in Internet Explorer. The file would open in RealPlayer8, and the extension would change to mpga! Also when I tried to save the file, it would save as mpga not mp3. Possibly you had RealPlayer installed, then uninstalled it?

I got some insight to my problem here:
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?threadid=51026

For the record, here is how I solved my problem, from my notes:
=====copy/paste===========
02-04-03 Ran regedit
Exported HKeyClasses Root\Mime\database\Content Type then used Find (values only) for .mpga (HKeyClasses Root only) and found 5 entries, changed them to .mp3
[Note: Make SURE you include the period before mp3!] by double-clicking the Extension value in right pane:
audio/mp3 audio/mpg audio/x-mp3 audio/x-mpeg and audio/x-mpg

Then I went into WMP6.4 options Formats tab, rechecked ALL the formats, which already had the MP3 MP2 MP1 and M3u file types. IE can now open MP3 files and save as mp3.

===========end copy/paste=======

Hope that helps

 

What do you mean by the phrases:

>download and play mpeg files in messages
>but those mpeg files in specific folders

Where/What messages?
Where/what folders?

Can you give a link or url to some media file you are having a problem with?

 

Thank you for all those suggestions. I'll try them all as soon as possible and let you all know.


Jerry

 

Folks, I am overwhelmed. Let me start again. These files I am trying to open or download are video clips, generally always .mpeg files. When I try to open and play I get an error message, "Invalid file" When I try to download I get a window with a HTML document in it.

In order to solve this problem, you have to have expereiicned it. I'm willing to give up if you are. It is not a biggie.

Jerry

 

Check the contents of the registry.

Under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg:

(Default): REG_SZ:mpegfile
Content Type:REG_SZ:video/mpeg
PerceivedType:REG_SZ:video

 

You may be onto something here. There is not .mpeg file in regedit. There is an mpefile, a meg_auto_file, and a MPEGFILE.

I await your reaction.

Jerry

 

You have no entries for .mpg or .mpeg under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT?

That is mysterious. There are several subkeys. If you have XP, then follow these directions.

Copy between the lines and paste into Notepad. Save it as mpg.reg
Right-click the file and Merge.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg]
@= "mpegfile "
"Content Type "= "video/mpeg "
"PerceivedType "= "video "

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg\OpenWithList]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg\OpenWithList\wmplayer.exe]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg\OpenWithProgIds]
"mpegfile "=hex(0):

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg\PersistentHandler]
@= "{098f2470-bae0-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb} "

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg\ShellEx]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg\ShellEx\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@= "{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590} "
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Do the same again but name this one mpeg.reg:

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.MPEG]
@= "mpegfile "
"Content Type "= "video/mpeg "
"MP2.Last "= "Default "
"PerceivedType "= "video "

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.MPEG\OpenWithList]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.MPEG\OpenWithList\wmplayer.exe]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.MPEG\OpenWithProgIds]
"mpegfile "=hex(0):

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.MPEG\PersistentHandler]
@= "{098f2470-bae0-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb} "

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.MPEG\ShellEx]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.MPEG\ShellEx\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@= "{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590} "
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Before you try a registry fix, make sure you have Windows Media Player set as the program used to open .mpeg files.

For WMP6.4 or above, open WMP and go to:
View -> Options -> Formats tab and place a checkmark next to MOVIE FILE (MPEG). If it is already checked, try unchecking, click Apply, then recheck. See if that helps.

I have WMP 6.4 associated with ALL formats including Movie File (MPEG) and I show the following under File Types:
Movie Clip (MPEG)
Extension: MPEG MPG MPE MPA M1V
Content type (MIME): video/mpeg
Opens With: MPLAYER2

PS I didn't see you post anywhere what version of Windows Media Player you have installed. WMP 6.4 is MPLAYER2.exe... I believe mplayer2.exe came with Win98se and it can also be downloaded for Win9x.

I think that wmplayer.exe (referenced in the regfile above) is WMP 7 or above? Do a search on mplayer2.exe and wmplayer.exe and let us know if you have one or both of these files. Also check in your View Folder Options Filetypes and tell us which one is associated with Movie Clips (.mpeg video/mpeg)

 

Could we put everything on hold for a few on this. I am at an old computer in town running Win 98, and WMP 6.4. At the lake on my new computer I have Win ME and just downloaded WMP 9. The problem persists on both machines. I want to see what regedit reveals down there.

Jerry

 

The problem persists on both machines.

Might I suggest that the problem is more than likely with the site and the videos. Hard to believe 2 computers are having the same problem.

 

OK, I'm back. Hey, I really appreciate all the suggestions here. That last post really hits me between th eyes. I heard somewhere that the problem has to do with the way the .mpeg files are uploaded and not with the player. Has something to do with cordec files, or something.

The thing that had me baffled is that the files in messages would play but the files stored would not. Oh well. Mysteries never cease.

Thanx a lot ladies and gents. Let's close this one now.

Jerry

 

It has been my experience that Windows Media Player will not accept downloaded music files (mp3) nor (avi/divx) no matter how many codecs you try to install.

I've always believed it was Microsoft showing solidarity for the Corporate Criminals which are modern day music producers.

If this is not the case, I'd be interested in finding out how to rectify this problem, because no matter what Windows MP is stuck there; you can't delete the program.

 

I've dheard that too, but in this case the player works one place and not the other.

Let's make this a wrap on my question.

Jerry