How can I insert AVI video in PowerPoint 2002 with SP2?

[Wally O]

I know that SP2 removes media clip as an insertable object. Microsoft's site
suggests a workaround where you use the Insert menu and locate the media file
and click "open". But, I get no such "open" option. Another knowledge Base
article suggests using Media Player. It says to create a Media Player
control, which I have done. It then says to enter the media file's path in
the Control Toolbox Properties dialog box section identified as "filename"
Once again, I see no such box in the Contol Box properties dialox box. Am I
missing something here or is Microsoft referring to something other than
PowerPoint 2002 (though it says this applies to that version)? The direct
approach of simply inserting the movie from a file returns a message that
PowerPoint can not play this file type even though the help files say it can.
Any suggestions are welcome.

Wally

 

[Austin Myers]

Wally,

Give PFCMedia a try, it should solve all these issues for you. You may
download a free trial copy from http://www.pfcmedia.com



Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

PowerPoint Video and PowerPoint Sound Solutions www.pfcmedia.com

 

[Wally O]

Austin, thanks for the link. I'll give it a try. But, it still seems
unreasonable to have to purchase additional software (I know I can use it
free for 2 weeks) in order to get PowerPoint to do what it claims it can do.
Foes this mean that Service Pack 2 reduced the functionality of this program?
Doesn't Microsoft have a solution that actually works?

Wally

 

[Austin Myers]

I know that SP2 removes media clip as an insertable object.

Not really. You need to check the radio button "Create From File".


But, before getting to a lot of work arounds lets look at using plain old
Insert > Media From File. There is no reason that PowerPoint can't insert
an AVI this way and if you can not then something has gone wrong on your
system.

PowerPoint doesn't play media, it uses the MCI player. Because of this, the
list of media file types you can insert is NOT a function of PowerPoint, it
is a function of the MCI player. PowerPoint simply grabs the list of
acceptable types from your registry settings. These settings are determined
by what you have installed on the machine (applications, codecs, etc.). I
suspect something has hijacked the file associations and/or the registry
settings.

The simplest "fix" to try is to download Windows Media Player 10 and
re-install it. While the Windows Media Playuer is not used by PowerPoint
(mostly), reinstalling it will often correct bad registry and codec issues.

Let us know how things go after trying this.


Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

PowerPoint Video and PowerPoint Sound Solutions www.pfcmedia.com

 

[Wally O]

Hi again, Austin.,

I was refering to the fact that "media clip" no longer appears as an
insertable object after installing SP2, even though the PP help files says it
does. Knowledge base article 884175 acknowledges this. It suggests locating
the media file and clicking "open" and then a variety of other choices. But,
I get no such "open" option when I follow the instructions to the letter. If
I click "ok", I get a message that says PowerPoint can not play this type of
file (a simple AVI movie). An older Knowledge Base article (291879) suggests
inserting Media Play as an object through the control toolbox. I can setup
the player, but the article then says to choose the movie file using the
"filename" box of the "properties" dialog. But, I have no such filename box
in that dialog! I followed your advice and re-installed Media Player 10 (I
already had that version). This has made no difference whatsoever. If I try
to use the "create from file" feature; when I select the file, I get a
message " "video not available. Cannot find 'vids: mjpg' decompressor". So
far I am batting zero in getting video into PowerPoint. What is the next
step, short of abandoning the project? Thank you,

Wally

 

[Wally O]

Hi once more, Austin,

Just thought I'd let you know that I decided to try the PFCMedia program you
suggested. I downloaded the file from the website and executed it. It
installs a program called PE Photo, which is for uploading photos to be
printed and purchased at PE Photo, an online printing company! I had used
that site in the past for printing. But, the download seems to have nothing
to do with the PowerPoint issue. I thought you would like to know since I
suspect you have some connection with that software. I see several forums
where you promote it. I hope this is just some strange mistake, but now I am
wondering if this magic software really exists.

Wally

 

[Kathy Jacobs]

Wall,
Can you tell me which file you execute? When I download the PFCMedia file to
my hard drive, it creates a file called "PFCMedia.exe". Installing this
installs PFCMedia. I don't see any indication of PEPhoto in what I download
or install. Is there a chance you installed the wrong exe?

--
Kathryn Jacobs, Microsoft MVP PowerPoint and OneNote
Author of Kathy Jacobs on PowerPoint - Available now from Holy Macro! Books
Get PowerPoint and OneNote information at www.onppt.com

I believe life is meant to be lived. But:
if we live without making a difference, it makes no difference that we lived

 

[Wally O]

Hi Kathy,

There seems to be only one file that can be downloaded from the PFCMedia
site. I downloaded "PFCMedia.exe" (twice). Both times, when I ran the
executable, it installed PE Photo, not PFCMedia. I must confess that I was
very surprised too. Did you try downloading it recently?

Wally

 

[Kathy Jacobs]

Yes, I tried it. That is why I asked. No matter which way I do it, it works.
That's why I am asking if it is possible you are clicking the wrong exe.

What happens if you just run it from the site instead of downloading it?
What happens if you save it to its own folder on your desktop and run it
from there?

--
Kathryn Jacobs, Microsoft MVP PowerPoint and OneNote
Author of Kathy Jacobs on PowerPoint - Available now from Holy Macro! Books
Get PowerPoint and OneNote information at www.onppt.com

I believe life is meant to be lived. But:
if we live without making a difference, it makes no difference that we lived

 

[Austin Myers]

Wally,


Let's do one at a time.

PFCMedia...

I read the above post and frankly I am at a loss. Here is my suggestion.
Create the folder "C:\PFC" or any name you like, just make certain it is a
new folder and has nothing in it. Copy PFCMedia.exe file that you
downloaded from our web site and place it in the new folder. Once there
open the folder (if it's not open) and double click the icon. This should
start the install process, please let me know if it doesn't.

Now to the AVI...

A file with the avi extention can be just about anything. All avi means
really is that the audio and video are interleveaved. That simply means
they are contained in the same file. There are hundreds of codecs that
might be used to create an avi file and I wouldn't even guess at the number
of ways to do it. There really isn't anything such as a simple avi. <g>

If you like, Google for an application called "GSpot". It is a great
utility to exmine a media file with and it will tell you what codec is
required and if your system is capable of playing the file. Post that
information (codec) back here and we'll see what can be done next.

You might also Google for another app called "mmview". It is a utility to
examine your computer and see what codecs and media activex controls are
installed and if they are functioning. I give you FAIR WARNING, this is NOT
the watered down list Windows gives you, you can expect there to be over a
hundred entries and possibly several hundred. I STRONGLY advise that you do
not make any changes unless you are very confident in what you are doing.


I think you are seeing the answer to your question on why PFCMedia is
needed. With all the different codecs, formats, hardware and software
environments and conflicting media applications it is very easy to have
failed media in PowerPoint. When I wrote the add in, it was with users in
your exact situation I tried to keep in mind. I do encourage you to give it
a test drive.


Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

PowerPoint Video and PowerPoint Sound Solutions www.pfcmedia.com

 

[Wally O]

Hi Kathy, I did save the downloaded in a directory, but with other files. I
tried saving it in its own directory, When I ran the program I got a a
message "Runtime error 70 Permission Denied" That happens each time I retry
it that way. I ran the program directly from the website and it did indeed
work (HOORAY). I usually do not like that option because I am not sure if my
antivirus software works under those conditions. Thank you (and Austin) very
much for your help. Now to see if this solves my problems in PowerPoint. I
am still baffled by the PE Photo thing. Moreover, I would like to see
PowerPoint itself be able to handle files it claims to be able to. Thanks
again.

Wally


Wally

 

[Wally O]

Austin, here is my most recent status. After placing the PFCMedia file in
its own folder, I got it to install in Powerpoint. But, I got nothing when I
clicked on it to insert a media file. So, I re-installed the windows Codec
9, the most recent Flash player, the latest Direct X, and PFCMedia. Then
PFCMedia seemed to work. It allowed me to specify the file and run the test.
It then began a series of processes, but it eventually completely hung up
Powerpoint. I have tried this three times all with the same result. It hangs
up and creates strange colored patterns in PowerPoint and even in the
TaskManager window when I try to end the program. The AVI file I am trying to
insert is a movie file generated by a digital camera. It plays fine in every
media player I have tried. I had no problem inserting it into a slide show
created with ProShow Gold. Yet I can't seem to get it into PowerPoint with
or without PFCMedia. I am running PowerPoint 2002 with SP2.

Wally

 

[Austin Myers]

Wally,

Please drop me an email with your correct email address. I'd like to get
some additional information about your system.

Austin