Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: twiglet on 24 September 2012, 00:29:38

Title: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: twiglet on 24 September 2012, 00:29:38
Just tried to watch the OOF V6 cambelt dvd on my laptop, which is running Windows XP.  When I put the dvd in, Windows Media Player fired up, but then an error message came up saying it couldn't play the file as the Codec was missing.

I'm assuming it's just a case that this only version of the player just won't play dvd's?

Can someone recommend a free player that I download that will play it?

Btw, the dvd itself is fine, and plays fine on the dvd player in the house.  Trouble is, I don't think SWMBO will be too impress if I take the 40" flatscreen telly outside when I come to do my cambelt!  ::)

TIA  :y
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 24 September 2012, 00:56:13
VLC worked for me :y
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: Martian on 24 September 2012, 09:03:38
I personally use K-Lite Mega Codec Pack (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack.htm) as it has just about every audio & video codec known to man.
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: TheBoy on 24 September 2012, 09:04:13
Pre Windows Vista and Post Windows 7 will require additiional codecs.

ffdshow is enough to decode the MPEG2, not sure if its enough to deal with the DVD format.
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: TheBoy on 24 September 2012, 09:08:06
I personally use K-Lite Mega Codec Pack (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack.htm) as it has just about every audio & video codec known to man.
I would strongly advise against codec packs. Very strongly. Most Codec Packs incorporate too many conflicting codecs, usually have poor uninstallers, and invariably end up buggering up your codec chains. The more codecs installed will impact performance, and VFW stability.

So whilst codec packs are a one(ish) click solution, I'd fine tune your requirements and just install whats required.
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: Martian on 24 September 2012, 09:14:14
I personally use K-Lite Mega Codec Pack (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack.htm) as it has just about every audio & video codec known to man.
I would strongly advise against codec packs. Very strongly. Most Codec Packs incorporate too many conflicting codecs, usually have poor uninstallers, and invariably end up buggering up your codec chains. The more codecs installed will impact performance, and VFW stability.

So whilst codec packs are a one(ish) click solution, I'd fine tune your requirements and just install whats required.
I know what you're saying, but the K Lite installer is quite smart and only registers the codecs that your system is missing.
Any codecs that are installed are automatically registered so that any media player you have installed will play them, and other software (eg, Nero Burning ROM) will also take advantage of them if it needs to.

I will say that if the OP is going to install VLC Player then he (or she) should pay attention to the installer as it will install the Alot toolbar (among other things) by default.
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: TheBoy on 24 September 2012, 09:25:38
I personally use K-Lite Mega Codec Pack (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack.htm) as it has just about every audio & video codec known to man.
I would strongly advise against codec packs. Very strongly. Most Codec Packs incorporate too many conflicting codecs, usually have poor uninstallers, and invariably end up buggering up your codec chains. The more codecs installed will impact performance, and VFW stability.

So whilst codec packs are a one(ish) click solution, I'd fine tune your requirements and just install whats required.
I know what you're saying, but the K Lite installer is quite smart and only registers the codecs that your system is missing.
Any codecs that are installed are automatically registered so that any media player you have installed will play them, and other software (eg, Nero Burning ROM) will also take advantage of them if it needs to.

I will say that if the OP is going to install VLC Player then he (or she) should pay attention to the installer as it will install the Alot toolbar (among other things) by default.
I find the K-Lite one is particularly problematic, although in fairness, it is the most popular.

Even if it worked for everyone all the time, the more codecs installed, the more impact on performance. And any break in the codec chain will break VFW, so more codecs will increase the chances of this.

Hence, I prefer the more tuned approach. Although the advantage of the (older) MS/Windows platform is you are free to make your own choices :y

In this case, as its only a (quite old) laptop, not a full blown HTPC, most codecs probably aren't relevent anyway.
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: Martian on 24 September 2012, 10:11:13
Here's the easy solution, no installation required  :y

VLC Portable (http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/vlc_portable)
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: Bionic on 24 September 2012, 16:01:05
 :y Download the VLC player and all of its various codecs. Its a free program and I have yet to find any disk it will not play.  ;)
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 24 September 2012, 17:41:11
as said vlc..
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: tunnie on 24 September 2012, 17:43:18
VLC  :y

Windows Media Player is just total shite
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: TheBoy on 24 September 2012, 18:04:12
VLC  :y

Windows Media Player is just total shite
Ah, once again, a blanket statement without understanding how it works ;)

I wouldn't install VLC, but the Portable one Martian suggests looks more interesting...
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: tunnie on 24 September 2012, 18:08:39
Just years of trying to play videos, windows media player always moans about codecs. VLC just works, its not cluttered with rubbish I don't want. It just plays videos, its works well & reliable. I've not used WMP in years
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: TheBoy on 24 September 2012, 18:11:04
Just years of trying to play videos, windows media player always moans about codecs. VLC just works, its not cluttered with rubbish I don't want. It just plays videos, its works well & reliable. I've not used WMP in years
As someone who used Media Player every day, its the most solid, reliable one out they for Windows, by a considerable factor.

VLC ignores most standards, and is prone to locking up. It has no place on my PCs.
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: dbug on 24 September 2012, 18:22:33
Been using VLC for years on a number of pcs - from win2000 through to Win7 - never had a problem with it locking up, always worked ok even on odd formats (such as cctv clips) and never tried to install any toolbars :y
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: TheBoy on 24 September 2012, 18:29:36
Been using VLC for years on a number of pcs - from win2000 through to Win7 - never had a problem with it locking up, always worked ok even on odd formats (such as cctv clips) and never tried to install any toolbars :y
Has for a while now, but does prompt first
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: Martian on 30 September 2012, 12:12:46
Just years of trying to play videos, windows media player always moans about codecs. VLC just works, its not cluttered with rubbish I don't want. It just plays videos, its works well & reliable. I've not used WMP in years
As someone who used Media Player every day, its the most solid, reliable one out they for Windows, by a considerable factor.

VLC ignores most standards, and is prone to locking up. It has no place on my PCs.
I'm with TB on this one, WMP plays absolutely ANYTHING I present it with without any issues at all once it is aware of what codecs are available to use.
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: Steve B on 30 September 2012, 13:03:17
wmp is rubbish imo  vlc player all the way. :y bet it would even play a vhs video if you could get it in the draw. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: TheBoy on 30 September 2012, 14:56:50
wmp is rubbish imo  vlc player all the way. :y bet it would even play a vhs video if you could get it in the draw. ;D ;D ;D ;D
*Sigh*

Why is WMP rubbish? Its simply a shell for the media interface built deep into Windows. Being a core Windows framework, the media interface is a de-facto Windows standard, and is rock solid (but like IE, at the mercy of 3rd party codecs).  As WMP is just a shell for this framework, it has all the same advantages.

VLC on the other hand, is a kludged app trying to do it outside of the Windows provided framework. And it shows.
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: Steve B on 30 September 2012, 16:23:19
wmp is rubbish imo  vlc player all the way. :y bet it would even play a vhs video if you could get it in the draw. ;D ;D ;D ;D
*Sigh*

Why is WMP rubbish? Its simply a shell for the media interface built deep into Windows. Being a core Windows framework, the media interface is a de-facto Windows standard, and is rock solid (but like IE, at the mercy of 3rd party codecs).  As WMP is just a shell for this framework, it has all the same advantages.

VLC on the other hand, is a kludged app trying to do it outside of the Windows provided framework. And it shows.
and thats why..... :y for quality yes wmp wins all the way...try and put a mkv file to wmp...not very universal that way
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: dbug on 30 September 2012, 16:42:39
Agree wmp is not "rubbish" or "shite", but have always found that those video formats that wmp can't handle, work ok on vlc :y
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: Martian on 30 September 2012, 17:32:29
and thats why..... :y for quality yes wmp wins all the way...try and put a mkv file to wmp...not very universal that way
WMP plays MKV's just fine, what's the issue?
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: Martian on 30 September 2012, 17:34:08
Agree wmp is not "rubbish" or "shite", but have always found that those video formats that wmp can't handle, work ok on vlc :y
WMP will play anything if the right codec is installed & registered correctly.
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 30 September 2012, 17:49:12
never had to download any codec for vlc.. it played anything without hesitation.. windows medial player is limiited with codecs..
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: Steve B on 30 September 2012, 18:36:38
when i chuck a mkv at it you get...

Windows Media Player cannot play the file. The Player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file.
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: Martian on 30 September 2012, 19:11:08
when i chuck a mkv at it you get...

Windows Media Player cannot play the file. The Player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file.
That message means the correct codec is either not installed, or not registered correctly within Windows.
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: TheBoy on 30 September 2012, 20:15:49
As Martian rightly points out, the media framework in Windows is exensible via codecs. Put on the correct codecs, *ANY* system making use of the media framework, WMP included, can play the file.

.mkv files, like all files, play fine in WMP.


VLC goes down a different route, and redesigns the wheel over and over, and this makes it buggy. Media framework is tried and tested.
Title: Re: OOF Cambelt DVD on laptop
Post by: Steve B on 30 September 2012, 21:37:43
Anyway i agree with martian and tb  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D you cannot beat media player :-\ :-\ :-\ just downloaded a codac pack :y so stop knocking it you lot ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


                                                           (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/70807181/surrender1.jpg)