Windows XP Media Centre Edition DVD Decoder Error

[Kerandran]

Windows XP Media Centre Edition (can't get Media Centre to play DVDs due to codec problem)!

I would like to be able to use the Windows XP Media Center Edition (Media Center program to play DVD) on my computer, but am unable to do so because I keep getting the following error:


Decoder Error
The video decoder has either malfunctioned or is not installed. Please restart Media Center and/or the computer.


I don't know why everyone keeps boasting about the ease of use and features of the Media Centre program, when I can't get it to play normal DVD movies.


It is strange but I can play the DVD within Windows Media Player 11, and also within the Zoom player / Media Player classic distributed via the "Combined Community Codec Pack of 2008-01-24".

What frustrates me is that I cannot play it within the Microsoft's own Media Center program, which is meant to achieve this.

I have the latest windows updates on my system, and also service pack 3.

Does anyone know what I must do, or where I can obtain video codecs for Microsoft Windows XP Media Centre Edition?

Any help would be much appreciated.

[PeteSmith]

Why not try a different codec pack and see if that helps, i use this

[crazyfool]

there is a microsoft tool that allows you to change which codec media center uses... if u google for that then u should be able to change it to the required one... prbably ffdshow for that pack (cccp)

[Higgs Boson]

Hi Kerandran,

If you mean ripped VOB files on your hard drive then take a look at this!
http://apcmag.com/how_to_play_ripped...dia_center.htm
yes I know its for vista but I am guessing this will work for pre vista WMC.

Higgs...Out!

[crazyfool]

yh there is also an options for this but is a biy different called my dvds

[Kerandran]

I don't know what VOB files are.

I would like to be able to use the Windows MCE Media Centre program, to view DVD(s) as they are meant to be viewed.

The CCCP codecs that I have installed work perfectly well and I do not need to change these.

What I need to install, are the specific video codecs from Microsoft (if such thing exist), which will work with the Windows MCE Media Centre program?

I find it surprising that these are not present within the Windows Media Center Edition.

I have noticed another similar problem within the Media Center program for viewing the data from my Hauppauge TV card, but I rather tackle that as a different issue another time, because the TV card works well outside the Media Center program.

I may have to look on the rest of the net, for similar issues experienced by others.

I am still opened to suggestions though, but the information obtained so far, does not appear to be what I am looking for.

[Agent]

I'm not sure what the people above me are trying to get at, but DO.NOT.INSTALL.A.CODEC.PACK
It's bad enough on a stand alone system (just install FFDShow, then if you need additional codecs grab them manually) but on a MCE system is insane.

For your issue - you need a DVD decoder that is compatible with MCE. If you have a nVidia card, Purevideo is brilliant, but all the major DVD Player companies like Cyberlink will include one with their software.

To look at what codecs you have installed, and change them if needed, use this

[crazyfool]

also the reason you get a similar issue with tv is because media center uses the same decoder for dvd and live tv

[registoni]

I have a questio on Media Center on VISTA Ultimate DVD playback. Is that possible to configure settings so that it could play not only DVD-movies in DVD-drive but also DVD-movies copied onto hard drive (VIDEO-TS folders)?
The same is for DELL DIRECT MEDIA (which I think the same as Media Center but mixed with Cyberlink decoding stuff)

[Agent]

Originally Posted by registoni

I have a questio on Media Center on VISTA Ultimate DVD playback. Is that possible to configure settings so that it could play not only DVD-movies in DVD-drive but also DVD-movies copied onto hard drive (VIDEO-TS folders)?
The same is for DELL DIRECT MEDIA (which I think the same as Media Center but mixed with Cyberlink decoding stuff)

Yes.
http://apcmag.com/how_to_play_ripped...dia_center.htm

[Kerandran]

My graphics card is quite recent and is a Gainward NVidia GeForce 9800GT 1024MB Golden Sample.
My TV card is a bit older and is a Hauppauge Nova T 500 with dual DVB-T tuner.
I bought this specific TV card because it was one that was compatible with windows MCE (the idea was to be able to record a program while watching another, but I have not been able to do both these at the same time, hence the reason why I would like to use it with the Windows MCE environment).

Does this "FFDShow" work with the Media Center environment?
I am going to find out more about this "FFDShow" and have a look at it.

[Agent]

Originally Posted by Kerandran

Does this "FFDShow" work with the Media Center environment?
I am going to find out more about this "FFDShow" and have a look at it.

Yes. WP has a decent article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ffdshow

It is not a DVD decoder though. You'll need a licensed one from the 'big boys' for that.

[Kerandran]

As a side question, now that you mentioned “Purevideo”, how can the pure video be activated. Is this a feature of the graphics card which is always on, or something that can be started with an application? This will show my ignorance when it comes to these new technologies.

Also when you mention you will need a DVD decoder by the “big boys”, do you imply Cyberlink, or something in those lines?

If for instance I buy one such program as Cyberlink power DVD 8 Ultra (or whatever the version of this product is now current), will this allow me to view DVD from MCE?

Since Cyberlink is a pretty good player, I may not need to use the MCE anymore.

It is also possible that this may not resolve the problem with being able to use the TV card with MCE (but then again it might as the error for the TV card was the same as when trying to view the DVD with MCE).

[crazyfool]

you need a dvd (mpeg2) decoder for both tv and dvd playback
ffdshow can decode mpeg2 but a mpeg2 decoder such as nvidia's or cyberlinks one will do a better job as they use hardware acceleration (purevideo) which is activated by the decoder and produces better image quality

[Kerandran]

Thank you for this information; it appears that the purevideo decoder may be what I need to get in order to get the DVD playback on MCE. The following site allows the download of this product, but I do not know which version of this software is the latest.


http://www.download3k.com/MP3-Audio-...o-Decoder.html


According to Cyberlink’s web site, their software is not meant for the Windows MCE Media Center environment, but more for other OS like Windows XP pro or Windows Vista. This does not mean it will not work on Windows MCE. So my only option by the looks of things is to purchase Nvidia purevideo, and aim for the latest release of this software.

This may sort out both my existing problems (well hopefully).

[Kerandran]

Problem solved!

This is a quick message to confirm that I have bought and downloaded the “NVIDIA PureVideo Platinum” from the NVIDIA website and installed it. This program has resolved both problems that I was experiencing with the Windows Media Center Edition environment:
- It fixed the “DVD Decoder Error” when trying to play a DVD with the Media Centre Environment.
- It also fixed the problem I was experiencing with my Hauppauge Nova T 500 with dual DVB-T tuner.

I must admit that although I have resolved the problems, the CCCP "Combined Community Codec Pack of 2008-01-24" video codecs do a better job than what NVIDIA decoder does as the quality of the movies is sharper in Widows Media Player Classic and in Zoom Player are beter than what Media Center Edition provides.

The only thing is that the CCCP codecs do not function with special Media Centre Environment.

I therefore would like to thank you all for leading me on the right track.