AVI files play in WMP but not Media Center

[Bificus]

Hi,
I originally posted this as a reply to a thread elsewhere, but the forum noted the thread was 266 days old and suggested I start a new one.

I have a new vista home premium 64bit PC. AVI files will play in WMP but not in Media Center. I've tried the ffdshow with no luck. I installed GSpot, and it indicates the files are AVI V2.0 format, it uses the XviD codec to decode, and that the correct codec is installed. These files played fine on my XP based media center PC in the Media Center application. I am not using any extendors, I am simply trying to get the files to play on my PC in Media Center.

I've contacted technical support for my PC (just got it yesterday), and "Charles" first said Windows doesn't play AVI files. I know this to be false from my XP Media Center experience, and from what Chris Lanier's guide has to say on the matter: "Windows supports playback of AVI files". If anyone else has encountered and solved this problem, I'd love to hear about it.

Bificus

 

[Bificus]

Problem sovled via the Chris Lanier Blog article. Guide to Codecs in Vista Media Center - Chris Lanier's Blog

Media center is now playing the AVI files.

The problem was based in the 64bit vs 32bit arena. In a 64bit machine, Media Center needs its own personal set of 64bit codecs. Installing the 64bit build of the ffdshow app worked like a charm. Didn't even have to mess with any settings.

The link for the download page is Index of /mirror/ffdshow

I used the file dated July 6, 2007, and can only speak to its success.

"Since Windows Vista is available in 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) this throws another wretch into the problem. Vista Media Center is a native 64-bit application, so it must have 64-bit decoders. There is a 64-bit build of ffdshow at this website. I have no idea how well it works, use of Vista x64 is not advised by me. I would strongly suggest using x86 until drivers and codec mature. It has taken a long time to get playback on x86 right, x64 is going to have several speed bumps along the way." -Chris Lanier