Cant any view video on HTPC - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

rhino1616 · 2010-04-11, 10:58 AM

good day, I have Vista Home Ultimate HTPC, when I enter TV+Movies & go to either recorded tv or live tv. I can t view anything because it gives me an error message:
Video Error:files needed to display video are not installed correctly. Please restart windows media center or restart the computer
I tried to fix it my self:

I restarted the computer
I installed all updates
I installed windows vista codec pack

None of this worked, can anyone advise me how to rectify this, below is my system list:
AMD athlon X3 425 2.7GHZ
4GB DDr3 ram
gigabyte GA-MA785gmt-ud2h
WD 1 TB HDD

Thank you for your time

ScaryBob · 2010-04-11, 11:25 AM

You may not have the appropriate CODEC installed. Windows provides a selection of CODECs but there are a few missing. CODECs are a bit of a black art for newcomers. Finding the correct ones, installing and configuring them to work well can be a bit daunting. I suggest that you install one of the CODEC packs from this site. I use CODEC 8.3 but you may have more success with a package made for your particular software.

Tikker · 2010-04-11, 04:00 PM

what format are you trying to play?

you likely need to install DivX. I'd recommend staying away from codec packs, as they generally install a TON of stuff you just don't need

rhino1616 · 2010-04-13, 05:21 PM

Hi, Scary bob what do you mean; ,"you may have more success with a package made for your particular software". Im a bit of a noobie is there a codec or codec pack specificaaly for my software Windows media center?

Tikker · 2010-04-13, 09:49 PM

the codecs are related to what you're trying to play, not what you're trying to play them with

rhino1616 · 2010-04-13, 10:51 PM

I tested a couple of dvd's (dix,avchd files etc) & they played perfectly in Windows Media Player, but when I tried to play them in Windows Media Center the same messeage popped up, "Video Error: files needed to display video are not installed...etc. I "think" (not sure though) I have all the codecs installed, I even installed codec 8.3 suggested by Scary bob.

PPL4GOLF · 2010-04-13, 10:58 PM

I'd DL the newest ATI video drivers first.

I actually do like the shark007 Vista codecs. You don't need it unless you're using media center for other videos (e.g. with media browser)

2010-04-11, 10:58 AM	#1
rhino1616 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 8	Cant any view video on HTPC good day, I have Vista Home Ultimate HTPC, when I enter TV+Movies & go to either recorded tv or live tv. I can t view anything because it gives me an error message: Video Error:files needed to display video are not installed correctly. Please restart windows media center or restart the computer I tried to fix it my self: I restarted the computer I installed all updates I installed windows vista codec pack None of this worked, can anyone advise me how to rectify this, below is my system list: AMD athlon X3 425 2.7GHZ 4GB DDr3 ram gigabyte GA-MA785gmt-ud2h WD 1 TB HDD Thank you for your time

2010-04-11, 11:25 AM	#2
ScaryBob Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Dandelion City Posts: 7,133	You may not have the appropriate CODEC installed. Windows provides a selection of CODECs but there are a few missing. CODECs are a bit of a black art for newcomers. Finding the correct ones, installing and configuring them to work well can be a bit daunting. I suggest that you install one of the CODEC packs from this site. I use CODEC 8.3 but you may have more success with a package made for your particular software. __________________ At 20 I had a good mind. At 40 I had money. At 60 I've lost my mind and my money. Oh, to be 20 again. --Scary

2010-04-13, 10:58 PM	#7
PPL4GOLF Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 904	I'd DL the newest ATI video drivers first. I actually do like the shark007 Vista codecs. You don't need it unless you're using media center for other videos (e.g. with media browser) __________________ LG55LW5000/Denon3313/MirageOMD5+Nanosat+MM8/ClearStream2/CM7778+3414 SSGPN50A550/OptomaHD33/Onkyo717/KEF3005/Velo15"

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2010-04-11, 04:00 PM	#3
Tikker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SaskTel Posts: 895	what format are you trying to play? you likely need to install DivX. I'd recommend staying away from codec packs, as they generally install a TON of stuff you just don't need

2010-04-13, 05:21 PM	#4
rhino1616 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 8	Hi, Scary bob what do you mean; ,"you may have more success with a package made for your particular software". Im a bit of a noobie is there a codec or codec pack specificaaly for my software Windows media center?

2010-04-13, 09:49 PM	#5
Tikker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SaskTel Posts: 895	the codecs are related to what you're trying to play, not what you're trying to play them with

2010-04-13, 10:51 PM	#6
rhino1616 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 8	I tested a couple of dvd's (dix,avchd files etc) & they played perfectly in Windows Media Player, but when I tried to play them in Windows Media Center the same messeage popped up, "Video Error: files needed to display video are not installed...etc. I "think" (not sure though) I have all the codecs installed, I even installed codec 8.3 suggested by Scary bob.