Vista x64, Windows Media Center, how do I play Xvid/Divx/mkv/etc? -no ffdshow in wmc?

J

jonesad

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 23, 2004
Messages
185
Hello -
I have my HTPC set up to my TV and have everything working as I want it to. However, I have recently decided to use Windows Media center to watch tv episodes/movies/etc as I prefer the interface to a normal desktop when I'm on the couch ;)

So I have already installed ffdshow x64 AND ffdshow 32bit, and I also installed the media control plugin 64bit (which from what I read, would connect Windows media center to ffdshow).

In windows media center, anytime I open any file that requires a plugin (xvid avi, dvix, mkv, etc), I get the message "cannot playback file" and it tells me I am missing a codec (I also noticed that while trying to play video in WMC, I do not see the ffdshow system tray icon).

When I open the same files in Windows media player (32 or 64 bit), they work fine and I can see the ffdshow system tray icon. The files also work in Windows Media Player Classic Home Cinema (32 and 64 bit) and VLC media player. [Edit] - so I can clearly see the problem is only in Windows Media Center, as everything else plays the files just fine.

I have read a lot on various forums, google'd, and tried just about everything I've read (that didn't require installing any codec packs), and I just can't get this to work. This is the final piece of my htpc puzzle, and would appreciate any help anyone can offer! :)
 
ebelhaki said:
Look at the CCCP codec pack http://cccp-project.net/

Do some research on that, I believe that should solve some of your problems.
Click to expand...

His problem is that he's using Vista 64. Vista 64 is a no go for HTPCs, XP 64 is a no go for HTPCs. It's a codec issue, they don't work correctly with VMC. This is only a problem with 64 bit Windows OSes which is why it's ALWAYS recommended that NO ONE use one for an HTPC.
 
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While it is possible to get what you are tying to do working, as CrimandEvil mentioned, it just isn't worth the effort. If w1retap or Snowknight26 poke their head in here they can set you straight.
 
Well, in my case it actually ended up being worth the effort (for now, assuming I don't run into any more problems!). Basically after doing some more research, I found a method that has fixed everything. I installed 2 codec packs (I know people generally say stay away, but these get very high reccomendations). After that, everything worked - WMC plays everything fine (mkv/divx/xvid/etc).

Vista 64 certainly takes more tweaking here and there, but in the end I haven't found one problem that I couldn't overcome somehow
 
lol..
StarTrekFacePalm.gif
 
CrimandEvil said:
His problem is that he's using Vista 64. Vista 64 is a no go for HTPCs, XP 64 is a no go for HTPCs. It's a codec issue, they don't work correct with VMC. This is only a problem with 63 bit Windows OSes which is why it's ALWAYS recommended that NO ONE use one for an HTPC.
Click to expand...

Oh, I failed to get that memo, or was late to the meeting.
Seems to work fine for me.
 
Zepher said:
Oh, I failed to get that memo, or was late to the meeting.
Seems to work fine for me.
Click to expand...

Well good for you. Just cause it works for you doesn't mean it works for all. It's a crapshot and highly advised not to bother with it.

Anyways, there's no benefit to running A 64 bit OS on an HTPC.

So yeah, Great for you but don't make it sound like your experience is everyone's experience. Any experienced HTPC builder will tell you exact same thing. :rolleyes:
 
Zepher said:
I can see all 4gigs I have installed in it.
Click to expand...

Which is terrific except an HTPC is going to just barely use 2 gigs.

Although I'm glad that you think being able to see four gigs of memory on your HTPC counts as a benefit. That's kind of cute!
 
criccio said:
LOL. Tell me, how is that at all useful for a HTPC?
Click to expand...

it is useful because some people use their htpc for more than just watching tv. i have not installed a 32 bit os on any of my own machines in over 2 years. hd playback works just peachy along with hardware acceleration with both vista x64 and win7 x64. yes, you will have some extra work to do if you would like to use the pretty vmc. to each their own i guess.
 
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criccio said:
LOL. Tell me, how is that at all useful for a HTPC?
Click to expand...

It's not, but it was $30 for 4GB so I bought it when I built the machine. mine is a dedicated htpc playback machine.
 
I don't use my Vista64 rig as a dedicated HTPC but in truth I haven't had any problems using the media centre along with ffdshow. But I appreciate the world of 64bit OS's and codecs could be a minefield.
 
Zepher said:
I can see all 4gigs I have installed in it.
Click to expand...
Excellent, you can see it, but it's not all usable due to the memory mapping architecture using your ram for hardware addressing space. The addressable space and I/O space overlap, resulting in unusable system memory.
 
w1retap said:
Excellent, you can see it, but it's not all usable due to the memory mapping architecture using your ram for hardware addressing space. The addressable space and I/O space overlap, resulting in unusable system memory.
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So, should I add some more to the machine?
 
oh, I thought you were referring to 4GB used in a 32-bit environment. Disregard my comment. But sure, you can add more.. it's not going to help you for HTPC use. 2GB is enough.. it's all I run in my HTPC's with Blu-ray/HDDVD/x264/etc...
 
CrimandEvil said:
Well good for you. Just cause it works for you doesn't mean it works for all. It's a crapshot and highly advised not to bother with it.

Anyways, there's no benefit to running A 64 bit OS on an HTPC.

So yeah, Great for you but don't make it sound like your experience is everyone's experience. Any experienced HTPC builder will tell you exact same thing. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I have codecs installed on Vista 64 also. I used the K-Lite Codec Pack. The full version and while I'm not sure it will play the formats that the op needs it does work great for dvds and iso and vob file formats. I've never had any trouble installing (or uninstalling if it doesn't work for the op).
 
Anyone use Zoom Player? Zoom player has a codec download feature, it gets the latest codecs from a codec pool I am guessing. I use this on all of my machines.
www.inmatrix.com
 
MPC-HC is all you need for a standalone player. (well, besides PowerDVD if you're using BD/HD)
 
structured89 said:
I have codecs installed on Vista 64 also. I used the K-Lite Codec Pack. The full version and while I'm not sure it will play the formats that the op needs it does work great for dvds and iso and vob file formats. I've never had any trouble installing (or uninstalling if it doesn't work for the op).
Click to expand...

No. Klite is not a suggestion since it's absolute garbage. He doesn't need it. No one needs it.
 
CrimandEvil said:
No. Klite is not a suggestion since it's absolute garbage. He doesn't need it. No one needs it.
Click to expand...

ok. However, it does work fine for dvd playback for me(which is all I need) and if it's that much easier to install than other routes than it's well worth it. I understand most people need more than just the basics, just thought I'd throw the suggestion out.
 
my htpc could use the extra gb that it can't see right now, ive been hoping to run win7 in 64bit when it hits rtm... then again my htpc also doesnt have a top cover on the case because the cpu cooler is too big :D my htpc plays games, its not a terribly uncommon thing for home entertainment.
 
structured89 said:
ok. However, it does work fine for dvd playback for me(which is all I need) and if it's that much easier to install than other routes than it's well worth it. I understand most people need more than just the basics, just thought I'd throw the suggestion out.
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ccc project pack

or

shark007 vista codec pack

and please, bad suggestions should be squashed. k-lite is subpar. either install one of the two above or install each codec you need manually. we're trying to help here, not make things worse.
 
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Well considering that I run x64 on my workstation, I thought I might chime in.

Heres what I got

FFDshowx64 - h.264 + VC-1 disabled.....MPCvidDec will handle that while providing GPU offloading. FLAC disabled as MadFlac will handle that.
MatroskaSpliiterx64
MPCVidDecx64
MadFlac
 
spacetrader said:
i said "or"... but seeing the subsequent "either the two above" i can see how that was misleading. ill fix it.
Click to expand...
Point is to suggest neither ;)
Figure out the missing codec(s), if that's the problem, and go from there...
 
Maybe someone can help me out with a problem I've been having. I have SageTV and want to play my mkv's from SageTV. These mkv's include 5.1 audio. But when I try to play in SageTV, the audio is not correct. I was using XP and 2 sound cards because I wanted to use SPDIF on one and use the analogs on the other for bluray playback. I could not get one sound card to output simultaneously. I had to set the onboard Realtek (analogs) to the default and then in SageTV choose my renderer as the 2nd sound card (the Envy24, spdif). This worked great, with the only problem coming when trying to play mkv. If played in SageTV, I had to put the receiver on "6 channel input"; everything else in SageTV will play through the SPDIF. So for some reason it is bypassing the Envy24 renderer. I also have AC3 Filter installed, but it is not using AC3 Filter when the mkv is playing because it doesn't show up in the tray. The sound is not correct in SageTV; instead of 5.1 sound it is coming out as like a 6-channel stereo effect. The only way I can get an mkv to play correctly is to play it with WMP HC; then it will play 5.1 through the SPDIF. But this is not as convenient as playing it with SageTV. If I change the default sound to the Envy24, then I can play the mkv in SageTV through the SPDIF. But it only comes through as 2 channel and my receiver puts it into Pro Logic II mode instead of decoding it as 5.1. I don't know what I need to make it play in SageTV with 5.1 audio.
 
mope54 said:
Point is to suggest neither ;)
Figure out the missing codec(s), if that's the problem, and go from there...
Click to expand...

well i suggested that too! honestly, both those codec packs work really, really well. i prefer the ccc pack because of the ffdshow settings it allows you to configure. but i really dont see anything wrong with codec packs as long as their done right. the only problem with individual codecs is you might come across a conflict between ones you install, it would be hard to figure out what it is. the two codec packs i mentioned are already tested to be trouble-free within themselves...
 
I'm making a new rig. But I sometimes get the urge to salvage my old system. That idea evolved into making a first swag at a limited HTPC. The problem is that the idea to switch came after ordering parts. Fortunately the parts, more or less, turned out to be appropriate for a HTPC.

ASUS M3N78 PRO (link), AMD Phenom II 9500, & Vista.

I'm wishing the mobo was one of the micro versions so I could go to a smaller case.

The main problem is that Vista was Vista 64 (non-returnable). So am I boned?

I was going to get a Tuner card and primarily use it as a PVR. And some point in the future, add blue-ray. The only other thing I might do with it is play some older games. But I'm not likely to do anything else.
 
nitrobass24 said:
Well considering that I run x64 on my workstation, I thought I might chime in.

Heres what I got

FFDshowx64 - h.264 + VC-1 disabled.....MPCvidDec will handle that while providing GPU offloading. FLAC disabled as MadFlac will handle that.
MatroskaSpliiterx64
MPCVidDecx64
MadFlac
Click to expand...

quoting myself might get me shot.

this will work, I know its what I use everyday.

If you dont want x64 get someones x86 disc, and use your key....it will work.
 
I just have to say the thing I find the most entertaining about this thread is the number of people trashing someone for running x64 to utilize over 3gb of memory because "an HTPC doesn't need more than 2gb".

Since when did the definition of HTPC change to only include video playback? How many people use it to play games? Do their downloading? Rip movies? Transcode files? Even serve as their primary desktop?

64 bit is becoming (if not already) the norm and it's only a matter of time before everything supports it natively. I think rather than give someone crap about trying to be ahead of the game we should be embracing it and try to get ahead ourselves.

That's just my two cents considering I'm rebuilding my HTPC tomorrow and will be installing vista x64 on it.

Mad kudos to nitrobass24 for being ahead of the game :cool:
 
Home Theater PC != gaming pc != primary desktop != file server != encoding rig

The Home Theater PC serves the primary task of playing back multimedia while you sit back on your couch and watch.

If you want to build a dual gaming rig and absolutely want to utilize 4GB or more of RAM, that's fine. 2GB of RAM is plenty for HTPC related tasks, specifically what this sub-forum is about. If you want to argue about gaming, 3d rendering, photoshop, or whatever else, there's more sub-forums on [H] that cover those topics.
 
w1retap said:
Home Theater PC != gaming pc != primary desktop != file server != encoding rig

The Home Theater PC serves the primary task of playing back multimedia while you sit back on your couch and watch.

If you want to build a dual gaming rig and absolutely want to utilize 4GB or more of RAM, that's fine. 2GB of RAM is plenty for HTPC related tasks, specifically what this sub-forum is about. If you want to argue about gaming, 3d rendering, photoshop, or whatever else, there's more sub-forums on [H] that cover those topics.
Click to expand...

This is all dependent upon you defining what an HTPC is, not the rest of the world.

I'm not looking to get into a pissing match, just saying that HTPC's can, and are, be more than just simple playback devices. No reason to force these people into other sub-forums just because they don't fit "your" definition.

Just look at how much stuff is built into our media center apps (xbmc, boxee, wmc, etc...)? You've got games, rss feed aggregation, web browsing, bittorrent applications... I think it's a little hard to claim that an HTPC is ONLY media playback.
 
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