Video for Windows

[Akira]

Hi all,

I've had cause to install some very old specialist database CDROMS on an XP SP2 system.

Most of them have, mercifully, installed fine; there is one though that requires the install of the old Video for Windows.

I don't seem able to find the original application anywhere though and I was wondering if anyone could either point me in the right direction or advise on how to get around?

Many thanks in advance for any help!

Best,

Akira.

[arthurleung]

I think "Video for Windows" is not you are really looking for

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_for_Windows

What you want is the actual codec that is used by the video files in the software. You shouldn't need it, as it is only used to play videos, don't see how it is related to a database software, unless they're stupid enough to make the interface out of video clips.

[Akira]

The datbase is actually looking for VfW by explicit reference whereas the sytem plays media (AVIs etc.) quite happily so it's not a codec issue.

I suspect the db may be looking for a file/directory location and is flagging an error since it doesn't exist?

Thanks anyway.

[arthurleung]

The datbase is actually looking for VfW by explicit reference whereas the sytem plays media (AVIs etc.) quite happily so it's not a codec issue.

I suspect the db may be looking for a file/directory location and is flagging an error since it doesn't exist?

Thanks anyway.

There is a difference between decoding the file for use in a program and playback.

Normally a program will either have its own decoder, or ask Windows to decode it (hence VfW). Windows might have the directshow filter to playback but not actually decoding it to a format that is VfW compliant.

This is very old "history" so I'm also half-guessing. I think it is easier (to code) and faster (less cpu usage) to play through directshow than through VfW. As VfW is rarely used you'll need to find the codec for it.

Off-topic but for example most stuff encoded in Divx/Xvid/h264 cannot be opened (correctly) by VfW due to the complexity of the stream. Instead tools like Avisynth is used to handle these streams and feed it to VfW softwares (don't think this applies to your case though)

[singdollar]

i have been using k-lite codec as the primary codec to view videos. it come with a quite complete codec.

hope it help to solve your problem.