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General discussion

WMP 10 Codec Error

by mulgarvie Aug 3, 2007 6:10PM PDT

Hi Again!

I have a problem with Windows Media Player 10. When I try to open an mp3 file it reports that I don't have the necessary codecs installed. I installed the K_Lite package recently to 'address' some issues in Windows Movie Maker. I'm at a loss. Please help!
Thank You

Discussion is locked

4 Posts
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Personally I would have stayed away from K-Lite.
by MarkFlax Former Forum moderator Aug 3, 2007 9:42PM PDT

It is a codec pack from Kazaa, which includes a P2P program that, in the past, has been known to cause problems with spware, adware and, from downloaded files, with viruses. Kazaa now say they have cleaned up their act.

I would use a utility like GSpot (http://www.headbands.com/gspot/) to examine the file and see what audio codec you need, then look for that. I know that DivX Codecs are safe, but DivX is a video player from http://www.divx.com and the codecs are included in their free video player package, so I am not sure whether they would have the required audio codec for you. They should do though.

Mark

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problem fixed but still confused
by mulgarvie Aug 11, 2007 8:06AM PDT

Thank you MarkFlax for your suggestion. Sorry it took so long to get back to you, but I was away from my PC for a week.

Well, I decided to try out Windows Media Classic and it has no problems playing the file. GSpot is difficult for me to navigate. I'm still a very slow learner with all this stuff, so I didn't know what to look for in GSPot.

What confuses the Dickens out of me is why WMP 10 can't recognise the file format and yet Windows Media Classic does??? Is it a 'special' type of codec issue or an installation problem with WMP10?

Thanks again Happy

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Well...
by jackson dougless Aug 11, 2007 8:48AM PDT

If you mean Media Player Classic instead of Windows Media Classic, then it would probably be because it has its own MP3 decoder codec built in. And assuming you do mean Media Player Classic, it's important to note that aside from looking a bit like Windows Media Player 6.4, it's a completely different program... In no way affiliated with, or endorsed, by Microsoft. It's far too useful, compact, and well done in general to have ever come from Microsoft.

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understanding a little more
by mulgarvie Aug 11, 2007 9:18AM PDT

lol, you are so right there! Still, I wish I had some kind of 'Shortcut to Understanding Audio & Video Codecs' guide. Happy

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