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    WMV files

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by paradoxguy, Sep 19, 2009.

  1. paradoxguy

    paradoxguy Notebook Evangelist

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    I understand WMV stands for Windows Media Video and is a proprietory video encoding by Microsoft for its Windows Media Player, therefore any WMV file should be viewable by any reasonably current Windows Media Player. My PC is a Dell XPS M1330 notebook PC with Windows Home Premium Vista OS that is diligently updated.

    With this premise, I have encountered several WMV files that my Windows Media Player refuses to play, with the message that the file is not recognized. In fact, I have encountered this situation often enough that I often will avoid wmv files and instead try looking for the same material encoded with .avi or .mkv or divx. Any suggestions as to why WMV files don't play for my Windows Media Player? Is it plausible that the "wmv" files that won't play are not actually wmv and mislabeled?

    Thanks for any input and suggestions.
     
    paradoxguy, Sep 19, 2009
    #1
  2. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    Quite possible. I'm not sure of a program that can examine the files. You probably should look for an audio version of Gspot. Speaking of, I wonder if Gspot would be able to analyze it.....

    If not, try playing it in VLC.

    Edit:

    Oh yeah, Mediainfo is a program that can identify video files also. Try that program also.
     
    surfasb, Sep 19, 2009
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  3. Vinyard

    Vinyard Notebook Evangelist

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    VLC should be able to play the file. VLC can play almost every file, if you haven't tried it yet you should do so.
     
    Vinyard, Sep 19, 2009
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  4. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Please make sure the wmv are properly made. Just like .avi and .mkv, it is not a format, but a file container. It can contain a lot of different codec so WMV isn't always compatible on every computer just like .avi or .mkv. Windowsby default will only play WMV video with WMV7,8,9 HD video streams i believe.

    Where are you getting these .wmv videos, mind sharing them so we can take a look at them?
     
    jackluo923, Sep 19, 2009
    #4
  5. SpacemanSpiff

    SpacemanSpiff Everything in Moderation

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    Hm. I've experienced the same problem as reported by the OP.
     
    SpacemanSpiff, Sep 19, 2009
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  6. paradoxguy

    paradoxguy Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks for the responses, especially the suggestion to use VLC for video files that cannot play on Windows Media Player or my divx player. Jackluo923's comments that wmv is not a format and that it can contain varying codec make sense in the context of my difficulties playing wmv files on Window Media Player. I currently don't have any wmv files on hand, I had deleted them because of my inability to play them. If I encounter unplayable wmv files in the future, I'll keep them for reference and sharing for troubleshooting if I need to ask for more help/advice.

    Thanks much again.
     
    paradoxguy, Sep 20, 2009
    #6