WMP 9 / SP2 doesn't need an Xvid codec?

[mark800]

Just built a new machine, XP Home w/SP2. Fresh install on a clean drive, WMP9 will play all my Xvid encoded files back (video & sound) without me even installing the Xvid codec.

The PQ seems slighlty sharp however and playback stutters after releasing the play slider a tiny bit for about half a second.

Even after installing the Xvid codec, PQ remains the same, which leads to me ask. What actual codec is WMP9 using to play back my Xvid files? Considering the PQ remained unchanged even after I installed the Xvid codec.

[stephanV]

open the file in graphedit and check the graph...

you could also check the filterlist of Media PLayer Classic.

[Manao]

WMP9 uses is own video renderer ( VMR 9 ) which is _slow_ ( slower than MPEG-4 decoding ). That's what taking so much time. Change the player ( try Media player classic for a great directshow player, or videolan for a really fast player )

[Blue_MiSfit]

also, wmp9 is probably using a generic microsoft mpeg4 decoder, which obviously is not designed for XviD. I reccommend ffdshow, preferably a recent CVS compile from Celtic_Druid

[Neo Neko]

Unless something has changed Microsoft's MPEG4 decoder only decodes MS-MPEG4 in ASF/WMV unless of course you install the hacked version known as Divx 3.x. I would be interested to know what is playing it. I just used MPC to block ffdshow, Xvid, 3ivx, and Nero and my MPEG4 will not play. What I find interesting about this is that if it is true it would be begrudging and quiet admittance that at least for PCs WMV is largely a failure. Most content people are getting is in Divx/Xvid and not WMV. Especially in the light that people are using security features of WMV to compromise security. Everyone who has heard the news will be even more warry of WMV files even after the problem gets patched.

[mark800]

How do I find out exactly what is playing it? If you tell me I'll do it and report the results. This is a brand new install of XP Home w/SP2 included.

[Manao]

Once again, media player classic is your friend. When using it to play your video, right click on the video and look at the filters used in the "filter" entry of the menu.

[bond]

m$ finally offering an own real mpeg-4 video decoder? ^^

mark800, did you install any other codec? divx5, 3ivx aso all can decode xvid too (as all are mpeg-4 compliant of course)

[Neo Neko]

Originally posted by mark800
How do I find out exactly what is playing it? If you tell me I'll do it and report the results. This is a brand new install of XP Home w/SP2 included.

In the downloads section look for a program called graphedit. Unpack it and run it. In the file menu there should be an option to "render media file". Click it and point it to an Xvid encode. Once you click ok it will corstruct the filter graph and a graphical representation of it. In it you should see each and every filter named and identified.

[celtic_druid]

Can you select render remote graph? Or does WMP9 not support that?