VC-1 on Windows Server 2008

[asarian]

I recently installed Windows Server 2008 on a Vmware machine (because Windows Server 2008 supports more than 2 CPU's). I try to do my video rendering on that machine now, to off-load my regular one. Trying out my first VC-1 source, I get this error (from Media Player Classic):

"Cannot play back the video stream: no suitable decompressor could be found."

I tried installing a Vista Codex pack, but to no avail. Same error. Seems I'm missing the VC-1 codec that would normally come with Windows Media Player 11 (which, oddly, is not included in Windows Server 2008).

So, does anyone know how I can obtain the VC-1 codec, for use with Windows Server 2008? Windows Media Player 11 can't be downloaded from the MS site, either (not even for Vista; and the XP x64 variant will not install). It's hard to believe I can't do VC-1 at all on the Windows Server 2008! And, as indicated, I can't install Vista or XP, as I need 4 vCPU's on the machine.

I would really appreciate some suggestions. Thanks.

[Blue_MiSfit]

:) I had the exact same problem yesterday with Server 2003.

Install ffdshow, and enable it's VC-1 decoder! Works fine...

~MiSfit

[asarian]

:) I had the exact same problem yesterday with Server 2003.

Install ffdshow, and enable it's VC-1 decoder! Works fine...

~MiSfit

Brilliant! Thank you very much!! :) I set ffdshow to use its internal libavcodec, and everything is well again!

Still odd, though, that there's apparently no MS-way to get the VC-1 codec for it. You can't even install the silly Windows Media Format SDK 11 on these server versions!

Anyways, thanks again. Made my day!

[Blue_MiSfit]

I know!!!

I couldn't figure it out..

Supposedly there _are_ ways, but I couldn't figure them out.

Happy to oblige :)

~MiSfit

[squid_80]

This (http://www.moviecodec.com/downloads/wvc1dmo.exe) seems to be fairly current. But the ffdshow decoder is faster.

[GrofLuigi]

This (directly from Microsoft) (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942423) worked last time I tried it on (good) old OSs. I *think* it's slower than ffdshow.

Consider it as an alternative, no special dependencies required (except for Media Player 9/10).

GL

[asarian]

This (directly from Microsoft) (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942423) worked last time I tried it on (good) old OSs. I *think* it's slower than ffdshow.

Consider it as an alternative, no special dependencies required (except for Media Player 9/10).

GL
Thanks. I don't see Windows 2008 Server listed, but it may yet work. :)

[benwaggoner]

Actually, what you need to do is install the "Desktop Experience" for Server 2008. That's all the stuff used to run it in "Workstation" mode, which includes Windows Media Player 11, and all its .dll files.

That'll give you DXVA and all the other normal goodness.

It'll also let you run Aero, etcetera, if you want.

[zambelli]

Inded, like Ben said, installing Desktop Experience is the way to go if you want any Windows Media codec support in WS2008.

The old VC-1 AP decoder sucks because it doesn't support DXVA assisted decoding and interlaced video passthru (for VMR/EVR deinterlacing).

[Schrade]

Inded, like Ben said, installing Desktop Experience is the way to go if you want any Windows Media codec support in WS2008.

The old VC-1 AP decoder sucks because it doesn't support DXVA assisted decoding and interlaced video passthru (for VMR/EVR deinterlacing).
So how does one install the very latest VC-1 decoder on Server 2003?

[benwaggoner]

So how does one install the very latest VC-1 decoder on Server 2003?
Upgrade to Server 2008 :)?
If you try to play back any VC-1 Advanced Profile content, it should try and get it from the codec download server.

That said, I don't have a Server 2003 handy, and haven't tried it myself.

[Schrade]

Upgrade to Server 2008 :)?
If you try to play back any VC-1 Advanced Profile content, it should try and get it from the codec download server.

That said, I don't have a Server 2003 handy, and haven't tried it myself.
I would prefer to not upgrade to Server 2008 just for that :-P Seems silly.

Yes, trying to play VC-1 Advanced Profile content downloads the old codecs (wvc1dmo.cab) which, if I remember correctly, you yourself said was a bit old.

I want the latest and greatest that are contained in the WMP11 installer. Is it possible to get that on Server 2003 and if so, how?

[zambelli]

I want the latest and greatest that are contained in the WMP11 installer. Is it possible to get that on Server 2003 and if so, how?
<completely unsupported solution>
You can always try copying wmvdecod.dll from the WMF11 XP distro XP to a Server 2003 box and regsvr32'ing it.
</completely unsupported solution>

[asarian]

Actually, what you need to do is install the "Desktop Experience" for Server 2008. That's all the stuff used to run it in "Workstation" mode, which includes Windows Media Player 11, and all its .dll files.

That'll give you DXVA and all the other normal goodness.

It'll also let you run Aero, etcetera, if you want.

Thanks. First I thought it was some kinda third-party thingy, but it's just right in front of me, in the Server Manager (under features). :) I'll go try that.