Video won't play in PowerPoint but will in Windows Media Player

[Gary]

I developed a CD with an auto-run PPT (2003) containing video files (mpg --
GSPOT reports it as video/mpeg but states that the codec is n.a). The CD
runs and video works fine on my office computer which is set up for media
development. It worked fine on my home computer previously but now the
video will not play though the PPT runs just fine. Home computer is Win XP
SP2, gig of ram (also same PPT 2003) and is also set up as a media
development computer. (Same OS at work though different hardware.) The video
will play in home computer in Windows Meda Player (10) by itself just fine as
well as other players I have available for testing. When I try to play it
with Media Player (mplay32.exe which I understand from
http://www.soniacoleman.com/Tutorials/PowerPoint/multimedia.htm and
http://www.indezine.com/products/powerpoint/ppvideo.html is what PPT actually
uses when the mpg video is inserted into PPT) the video will not play --
nothing happens except an error report to Microsoft and Media Player closes.
Media Player works fine for sound files but will not play other avi files
correctly either. I've checked the registry and don't see anything that is a
problem there -- but I don't fully understand what I am looking at there. I
seem to have all necessary codecs as well.

It seems to me something is wrong with Media Player....do I need to
reinstall or are the codecs associated with it wrong? How do you check what
codecs mplay32.exe will use? It seems unlikely it would be a codec problem
since I have no problem with other avi, mpg, or dvd movies. Further I know
that the CD is okay since it runs fine on numerous machines I've tested it
with at work. I'm probably overlooking something simple but this is a
frustrating problem that should be able to solve. Remember, too, this CD
worked on home machine previously so obviously something has changed on it
but what given everything else seems to work?

Any help will be appreciated.

Gary

 

[Austin Myers]

Gary,

Two ways to go about fixing the problem.

Method 1. Alter the media settings for every PC you want the presentation
to work on.

Method 2. Format the media into a more standard format the MCI can handle.

You can do the conversion to a more standard format if you have a video
editor with the proper output, or you can give www.PFCMedia.com a try as it
does it all automatically for you. (Free 14 day trial.)

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

PowerPoint Video and PowerPoint Sound Solutions www.pfcmedia.com

 

[Gary]

Thanks for the information about PFCMedia. I wish you well with that product
and the selling of it. I'll consider it when we do future projects. For
now, I'd like to solve the mystery outlined in my posting above. So if
someone has a suggestion on how to help or next steps to take, I'd appreciate
it.

Thanks in advance.

Gary

 

[Austin Myers]

---"(mpg -- GSPOT reports it as video/mpeg but states that the codec is
n.a). "---

Did you click on "Render" in GSpot?

 

[Austin Myers]

"nothing happens except an error report to Microsoft and Media Player
closes. "


What is the error? What did the MS site say caused it?

 

[Gary]

When I click render in GSPOT the videos render successfully. Also remember
the video plays fine when I try with GSPOT (it uses Windows Media Player 10)
Here's what I get:
******************************
Video Src type: MPEG1 Payload
Audio Src: MPEG1AudioPayload

DirectShow claims to be able to play the file. The following combination of
filters were used:

{L:\smith.mpg} (Source)
{MainConcept MPEG Splitter} (Splitter)

{MPEG Video Decoder} (Video Decoder)
{Video Renderer} (Video Renderer)

{MPEG Audio Decoder} (Audio Decoder)
{Default DirectSound Device} (Audio Renderer)
**************************


As to the error, there is not a web site, it simply reports to Microsoft.
Here's the error signature:

AppName: mplay32.exe AppVer: 5.1.2600.2180 ModName: mciqtz32.dll
ModVer: 6.5.2600.2180 Offset: 000031c9

When I look at the detailed report of the technical information, I see
nothing there except the normal system info, modules (71 of these), and
threads (including a huge on for mplayer itself). I've scanned through all
that for clues as to the problem but don't seen anything obvious. I'll be
the first one to admit, though, that I don't fully understand what I am
looking at.

Thanks again any help that can be provided.

Gary

 

[Austin Myers]

As you want to try and change the PC instead of the video format I'm going
to recommend using a program called "mmview" from Nirsoft. You may
download it from:
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/mmview.html

This will list all the codecs and modules installed on your PC, the list in
the Windows Control Panel is just a starting point and this will list
EVERYTHING. You indicate you have a lot of software installed and something
is obviously causing a problem. Whith this app you can disable each
component to test it as well as tell who made the component.

I think you'll find a very valuable tool in tracking down your problem.

PS: On the PFCMedia thing, I wasn't suggesting you buy it right now. I
give a two week fully functioning trial for users that have a one time need
to use it. (No I won't fight you if you do decide to buy it. ;-) )


Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

PowerPoint Video and PowerPoint Sound Solutions www.pfcmedia.com