Windows xp media center

hey i recently installed xp media center 05 and every dvd and video file i have tried to play did not work….media center either said that it just can't open the file or the video decoder has malfunctioned….thanks in advance for the help…

Media require "Codecs" to be translated for display in any type of MediaPlayer. Media on DVD disks require a DVD display software to allow access. Windows XP Media Center requires DirectX 9.0c to be installed to manage display of Media. If you have the above three items satisfied, then we need more information about your machine. If you do not, or are unsure about the above three items then obtain them, or ask additional questions as needed. Best Regards

yeh I have all of the above mentioned requirements…I still can't get anything to play…Only music and pictures work. what system info. do u need?

Only music and pictures work

Does the above mean that both "audio CD's and (audio).MP3 files run correctly?
Does the above mean that you are able to display .jpg, .bmp, .gif and similar "still shot pictures", but not "motion picture" like .avi, .MPG, .mpeg, .wmv type files do not run?

Are you able to play DVD media from your DVD drive?
____________

What Codec Pack do you have installed?
Here's a well recommended one: K-Lite Mega Codec Plus:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/K-Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack_d5230.html
_____________

What DVD reader application do you have installed.
For instance, your DVD unit may have come with a disk to install "PowerDVD".
You'll have to install it before being able to play DVD media.
_______________

A quick and safe way to get an overview of what it operating on your machine:…

Please Run the PCPitstop Full Tests, here:
http://www.pcpitstop.com
Register and create a password
Accept the ActiveX component to allow your machine to run the Full Tests
Registering and accepting the ActiveX are both SAFE and FREE.
Full Tests is the first item in the left hand column of that page.

The Full Tests take about 2-3 minutes for most machines.
Once you have your Results, please post the TechExpress Link back here into this thread for review.
TechExpress is the last item on the list in the yellow box in upper right area of any Results page.
Post the entire URL link information back here into this Forum thread.

Best Regards

You mention that you recently installed XP Media Center 05.
Essentially that is a fine Operating System that is based on XP Home with a few extra bells and whistles.
Have you been able to Validate your Operating System via Windows Genuine Advantage and get all the critical updates and patches?

What Operating System did you run on the machine previously.
__________

Long-Shot consideration.

Not all DVD units were compatible with XP.
Here's a list. If yours is not on the list, there may be a problem:
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers

and here's an overview about burning DVD's.
Yeah, I know it is about "burning" not just "displaying, but it may still be a useful read for you.

Best Regards

ok just to clarify I think I made a big error in telling you that I was running media center 05….it's actually media center 2002 and it is valid etc. i have all the updates so far…so sorry about that….
here is the tech express.link: http://www.pcpitstop.com/techexpress/default.asp
hope it helps…

to answer your questions:
audio cds and mp3 files run correctly
able to display still shot pictures only (not motion picture)
yes i am able to play media from my dvd drive…using power dvd, media player 11, media player classic, div x player…everything.
and it was just xp pro before i think…can't really remember…

thanks again…

Hi lukeb19, Take another shot at posting your TechExpress please. Best Regards

k i think i got it this time…
http://www.pcpitstop.com/techexpress.asp?id=MRSLHWU977VSHQZV

I don't see a Codec Pack in your list of Installed Software.

Consider installing: K-Lite Mega Codec Plus:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/K-Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack_d5230.html

k i installed the codec…

and…… any change in performance playing of DVD/Video files? The DVD/Video media files, that you are having trouble with,…. are they files that you have downloaded and burned to disk? Do you have a "store bought" DVD or rental movie that you can try in your DVD unit? Does it make a difference if the media is saved onto and opened from your Hard Drive?

nope…no change…still does not wk…and yeh 1 is a store bought dvd (when i put the video ts files onto my hardrive it didn't wk) and there are other files which i have on my hard drive that i downloaded which don't wk either….

hmmm.

What Media Player are you attempting to use?
For instance, Windows MediaPlayer 9, or 10, or 11?

Consider downloading MediaPlayer Classic and give it a shot, download here:
http://majorgeeks.com/Media_Player_Classic…00XP_d5782.html

well yeh the dvds and video files work in all my media players…just not media center…that's the problem and i don't know why it's happening because media player classic, windows media player 11 etc. play all my videos…it's just the media center program

OK, I've been barking up the wrong tree, trying to figure out why WMP wasn't working, when all the time it was. More research required. When you say video's won't play through Media Center, …. Do you mean that you are attempting to export the video feed to a TV/Stereo system, and that is failing?