MPEG in PowerPoint Glitch… (WinXP PP-2002)

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I am trying to troubleshoot my brother-in-law’s computers. His Sony VAIO lap top does not play MPEG files inside of PowerPoint, while his desktop does. Sounds simple. It is not.

I found an excellent resource here: PowerTools for PowerPoint PowerUsers. This guy clearly understands the problem, and he covers well my first erroneous thought — something must be wrong with his MediaPlayer 9.0.

So, I quickly verified that the MCI MediaPlayer also did NOT play the .mpeg file on the lap top — but it did on his Desktop. Obviously the problem is with the MCI player. So, step one – the Win.ini and System.ini files had both certainly been “touched” by something. The [MCI Extensions] list had been renamed [MCI Extensions.Bak] and a new empty [MCI Extensions] category had replaced it!! I fixed these two files expecting this to fix the problem. It did not.

I turned to the Codecs. I got stuck a bit here because most references keep referring to a “MultiMedia” entry in Control Panel AND in Add/Remove Windows Components boxes — but don’t spend anytime looking for them. Microsoft has changed all of that in XP! In the end, I decided the Codecs were all correctly installed.

Now, when it gets to the video drivers, I am not quite sure I really want to uninstall his lap top video drivers! I guess I could do it, but if I muck it up, I am in big do-do.

Does anyone else have any suggestions?? I would like to avoid swapping out the video drivers…

Thanks.

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You might try the troubleshooting stuff at http://www.echosvoice.com/tshoot_video2.htm%5B/url%5D

Since you’ve repaired your MCI settings as per Austin’s advice listed in the multimedia tutorial on the PPT FAQ (your first link), and since you’re pretty sure it’s not a codec issue, I’d start with the file path length problem listed on the video troubleshooting things to try (link above). That’s one of the least known and most-oft encountered issues, especially if the video plays on another system and the MCI settings are set as per the multimedia tutorial on the problem machine.

However, you need to be aware that the MCI extensions for WinXP are in the registry. You can see the screenshots in section 3 at http://www.soniacoleman.com/Tutorials/Powe…/multimedia.htm%5B/url%5D for what they should be. This is the same info from the PPT FAQ version of the multimedia tutorial — it’s just easier to read on Sonia’s site, I think. So I’d actually start there and make triply sure that the MCI settings are correct. (Fixing the MCI settings in the INI files is for Win 95/98.)

Updating video drivers probably won’t fix this issue, but it shouldn’t hurt. Set a restore point in WinXP so you can easily get back to his old drivers if you wish.

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Oooh. Thanks. I wasn’t sure if win.ini and system.ini were still used in WinXP or not — there certainly is data in them, so I must suspect it is used, correct?? This would be in contrast to the autoexec.bat and config.sys files — which on this box are completely void.
_________________________________

Other information of possible benefit:

1) AVI files do play when inserted into PowerPoint. (OK, this is starting off like a solution, but wait…)
2) Windows MediaPlayer (the big guy) can convert MPG files to AVI files.
3) If I convert the file to an AVI and even move it to my Desktop (different path), the file does not play in PowerPoint!

ADD: Only BIG MediaPlayer 9.0 will play this converted AVI file — the MCI Player (as well as PowerPoint — eh, as expected) state that the converted file is not formatted correctly…)

Let me check out the registry and your other page. I am very grateful for your response.

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Whooops! Pulled to edit and correct mistakes…

The registry was intact. All the links to the .dll’s appear to be correct.

I will note that I do not have any “MPEGVideo2” entries in my registry (Sonia’s page shows two of them) — but they appear to be in error. The MCI32 key has no relationship for MPEGVideo2 to a .dll.

Now to check out the other stuff.
_________________________________________

More data:

1) Checked out a another lap top (new Dell with WinXP Pro). This one DOES have MPEGVideo2 entries — but MUCH MORE than Sonia lists! And, of course, it has the MCI32 value for MPEGVideo2 pointing to the exact same .dll (mciqtz32.dll).

2. You can find out (I guess) which extensions are supposed to be pointing to MPEGVideo2 by looking into this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftMultimediaMPlayer2Extensions. Then look up the “MCIHandler” value for each extension.

3. On my lap top WITH the “MCIVideo2” value, my MCI Media Player has TWO entries for DirectShow under the Device Menu. The first lap top (my brother-in-law’s) has NO MCIVideo2 values and only ONE DirectShow is listed. All the other entries are the same (VIdeo for Windows, CD Audio, MIDI Sequencer, Sound).

4. Of note, all other media file types (e.g., .wav, .mid, .avi) are played absolutely fine by the MCI Media Player.

5 Now, even more strange…

My lap top — a completely different machine (Dell vs. Sony) — also will NOT play .mpg file in the MCI Media Player! This has got be more than just a coincidence.

Is there some reason why the MCI Media Player on lap tops can’t play these files???

6. I updated DirectX and Windows MediaPlayer from MS — no change….

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I would go ahead and add the MPEGVideo2 entries in the registry. It won’t hurt, and it may help — you never know.

I see that you updated Direct X, but I can’t tell if you tried any of the other fixes.

Where are the MPEGs coming from? They’re not from a digital video camera, are they? Also, they are MPEG1 files, aren’t they — not MPEG2?

It may also be a codec issue, even though you have somewhat ruled those out. The multimedia tutorial on Sonia’s site (and on the PPT FAQ) list common codecs that generally will work on most machines. WinXP doesn’t seem to have the Multimedia thing on the control panel, so you can try gspot or avicodec to see what codecs are installed.

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I can’t get any mpg’s to play on the lap tops. FWIW, the file in question was created with a DVD recorder. The only file type information I can find about the file is that it is MPEG. There is no “1” or “2” listed. I can get other video program to run the file.

Questions:

1) If it was a Compression/Decompression issue, would other programs be able to play the file?? I would expect every program to use the same Codec — and if it works for one, why not another?

2) Which exact codec is being used for MPG’s? Someone must know. Here are the codecs installed on all three machines:

Cinepak Codec by Radius Inc. iccvid.dll
Indeo Codec by Intel ir32_32.dll
Indeo video 5.10 by Intel ir50_32.dll
Indeo video 4.5 by Intel ir41_32.ax
Intel Indeo Video iYUV R2.0 iyuv_32.dll
Microsoft H.261 ICM Driver msh261.drv
Microsoft H.263 ICM Driver msh263.drv
Microsoft UYVY Video Decompressor msyuv.dll
Microsoft RLE Compressor msrle32.dll
Microsoft Video 1 Compressor msvidc32.dll
Toshiba Video Codec tsbuyv.dll

If all three machines have the same codecs, why would it be a codec issue?

3) It seems to me that DirectShow (a subset of DirectX) is responsible for playing these files. If I use RegMon and FileMon I do not see any codec being accessed. Instead I see mciqtz.dll and quartz.dll being used — both files for DirectShow. If a codec is supposed to be used, why isn’t it being accessed?

Thanks.

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ANSWER: CODECS.

Reason. Not all codecs (apparently) are displayed when you ask the Control Panel to disply the codecs. Nice design, Microsoft…

I downloaded the Windows MediaPlayer 9 and the MediaPlayer 6.4 codecs:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsme…ecdownload.aspx
NO GO!

I downloaded the FFDPlay codecs. NO GO!

I downloaded the Nimo Lite Codecs — it worked fine.

Sadly, from the creator:

“As most of you already knew it or have been wondering about it, I won’t make any new versions of the Nimo Codec Pack, NCP V5 Build9 BETA1 was and will be the last one on the series.”

And most links to the direct download site fail. The above link works.

The issue appears to be that the files I tried were all “MPEG2” format. MPEG1 format will play fine, but until I installed the MPEG2 codecs (which do NOT appear in the Control Panel list!) the MPEG2 files cannot play.

Live and learn. Thanks.

Reply | Quote

ANSWER: CODECS.

Reason. Not all codecs (apparently) are displayed when you ask the Control Panel to disply the codecs. Nice design, Microsoft…

I downloaded the Windows MediaPlayer 9 and the MediaPlayer 6.4 codecs:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsme…ecdownload.aspx
NO GO!

I downloaded the FFDPlay codecs. NO GO!

I downloaded the Nimo Lite Codecs — it worked fine.

Sadly, from the creator:

“As most of you already knew it or have been wondering about it, I won’t make any new versions of the Nimo Codec Pack, NCP V5 Build9 BETA1 was and will be the last one on the series.”

And most links to the direct download site fail. The above link works.

The issue appears to be that the files I tried were all “MPEG2” format. MPEG1 format will play fine, but until I installed the MPEG2 codecs (which do NOT appear in the Control Panel list!) the MPEG2 files cannot play.

Live and learn. Thanks.

Reply | Quote

Thanks for posting your resolution, and especially the link to the nimo codecs.

Sorry it took me so long to get back — when you mentioned DVD recorder, I was going to ask if it’s MPEG2.

I’ve seen the Elecard decoder recommended for letting people play MPEG2 in PPT. Registering the program ($20) removes the tiny logo in the corner.

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Hmmm… I have not yet verified this, but on the surface it appears that the new codecs break my DVD player!

I tried to play a DVD on the flight home, and I could not. The DVD programs (I tried 2) both could not play the files. So, I restored my computer to the day before I installed the Nimo pack — and the DVD played fine. That does not prove the Nimo pack was responsible — but it looks suspicious.

I will have to investigate further as to whether the Nimo pack was responsible, and to figure out which exact codec might be the ‘bad’ one…

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Yes, it does indeed look suspicious. The only thing I’d know to do is try to figure out which codec causes the problem and then install only that codec.

There seem to be conflicts with some CD/DVD authoring software and PPT/various codecs. I’d assume that could easily extend to DVD playing software as well–just as with Real and QuickTime, which can hijack some of the necessary MCI settings. Unfortunately, I don’t know what to tell you to do about it, though.

Reply | Quote

Yes, it does indeed look suspicious. The only thing I’d know to do is try to figure out which codec causes the problem and then install only that codec.

There seem to be conflicts with some CD/DVD authoring software and PPT/various codecs. I’d assume that could easily extend to DVD playing software as well–just as with Real and QuickTime, which can hijack some of the necessary MCI settings. Unfortunately, I don’t know what to tell you to do about it, though.

Reply | Quote

Hmmm… I have not yet verified this, but on the surface it appears that the new codecs break my DVD player!

I tried to play a DVD on the flight home, and I could not. The DVD programs (I tried 2) both could not play the files. So, I restored my computer to the day before I installed the Nimo pack — and the DVD played fine. That does not prove the Nimo pack was responsible — but it looks suspicious.

I will have to investigate further as to whether the Nimo pack was responsible, and to figure out which exact codec might be the ‘bad’ one…

Reply | Quote

Thanks for posting your resolution, and especially the link to the nimo codecs.

Sorry it took me so long to get back — when you mentioned DVD recorder, I was going to ask if it’s MPEG2.

I’ve seen the Elecard decoder recommended for letting people play MPEG2 in PPT. Registering the program ($20) removes the tiny logo in the corner.

Reply | Quote

I can’t get any mpg’s to play on the lap tops. FWIW, the file in question was created with a DVD recorder. The only file type information I can find about the file is that it is MPEG. There is no “1” or “2” listed. I can get other video program to run the file.

Questions:

1) If it was a Compression/Decompression issue, would other programs be able to play the file?? I would expect every program to use the same Codec — and if it works for one, why not another?

2) Which exact codec is being used for MPG’s? Someone must know. Here are the codecs installed on all three machines:

Cinepak Codec by Radius Inc. iccvid.dll
Indeo Codec by Intel ir32_32.dll
Indeo video 5.10 by Intel ir50_32.dll
Indeo video 4.5 by Intel ir41_32.ax
Intel Indeo Video iYUV R2.0 iyuv_32.dll
Microsoft H.261 ICM Driver msh261.drv
Microsoft H.263 ICM Driver msh263.drv
Microsoft UYVY Video Decompressor msyuv.dll
Microsoft RLE Compressor msrle32.dll
Microsoft Video 1 Compressor msvidc32.dll
Toshiba Video Codec tsbuyv.dll

If all three machines have the same codecs, why would it be a codec issue?

3) It seems to me that DirectShow (a subset of DirectX) is responsible for playing these files. If I use RegMon and FileMon I do not see any codec being accessed. Instead I see mciqtz.dll and quartz.dll being used — both files for DirectShow. If a codec is supposed to be used, why isn’t it being accessed?

Thanks.

Reply | Quote

I would go ahead and add the MPEGVideo2 entries in the registry. It won’t hurt, and it may help — you never know.

I see that you updated Direct X, but I can’t tell if you tried any of the other fixes.

Where are the MPEGs coming from? They’re not from a digital video camera, are they? Also, they are MPEG1 files, aren’t they — not MPEG2?

It may also be a codec issue, even though you have somewhat ruled those out. The multimedia tutorial on Sonia’s site (and on the PPT FAQ) list common codecs that generally will work on most machines. WinXP doesn’t seem to have the Multimedia thing on the control panel, so you can try gspot or avicodec to see what codecs are installed.

Reply | Quote

Whooops! Pulled to edit and correct mistakes…

The registry was intact. All the links to the .dll’s appear to be correct.

I will note that I do not have any “MPEGVideo2” entries in my registry (Sonia’s page shows two of them) — but they appear to be in error. The MCI32 key has no relationship for MPEGVideo2 to a .dll.

Now to check out the other stuff.
_________________________________________

More data:

1) Checked out a another lap top (new Dell with WinXP Pro). This one DOES have MPEGVideo2 entries — but MUCH MORE than Sonia lists! And, of course, it has the MCI32 value for MPEGVideo2 pointing to the exact same .dll (mciqtz32.dll).

2. You can find out (I guess) which extensions are supposed to be pointing to MPEGVideo2 by looking into this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftMultimediaMPlayer2Extensions. Then look up the “MCIHandler” value for each extension.

3. On my lap top WITH the “MCIVideo2” value, my MCI Media Player has TWO entries for DirectShow under the Device Menu. The first lap top (my brother-in-law’s) has NO MCIVideo2 values and only ONE DirectShow is listed. All the other entries are the same (VIdeo for Windows, CD Audio, MIDI Sequencer, Sound).

4. Of note, all other media file types (e.g., .wav, .mid, .avi) are played absolutely fine by the MCI Media Player.

5 Now, even more strange…

My lap top — a completely different machine (Dell vs. Sony) — also will NOT play .mpg file in the MCI Media Player! This has got be more than just a coincidence.

Is there some reason why the MCI Media Player on lap tops can’t play these files???

6. I updated DirectX and Windows MediaPlayer from MS — no change….

Reply | Quote

Oooh. Thanks. I wasn’t sure if win.ini and system.ini were still used in WinXP or not — there certainly is data in them, so I must suspect it is used, correct?? This would be in contrast to the autoexec.bat and config.sys files — which on this box are completely void.
_________________________________

Other information of possible benefit:

1) AVI files do play when inserted into PowerPoint. (OK, this is starting off like a solution, but wait…)
2) Windows MediaPlayer (the big guy) can convert MPG files to AVI files.
3) If I convert the file to an AVI and even move it to my Desktop (different path), the file does not play in PowerPoint!

ADD: Only BIG MediaPlayer 9.0 will play this converted AVI file — the MCI Player (as well as PowerPoint — eh, as expected) state that the converted file is not formatted correctly…)

Let me check out the registry and your other page. I am very grateful for your response.

Reply | Quote

You might try the troubleshooting stuff at http://www.echosvoice.com/tshoot_video2.htm%5B/url%5D

Since you’ve repaired your MCI settings as per Austin’s advice listed in the multimedia tutorial on the PPT FAQ (your first link), and since you’re pretty sure it’s not a codec issue, I’d start with the file path length problem listed on the video troubleshooting things to try (link above). That’s one of the least known and most-oft encountered issues, especially if the video plays on another system and the MCI settings are set as per the multimedia tutorial on the problem machine.

However, you need to be aware that the MCI extensions for WinXP are in the registry. You can see the screenshots in section 3 at http://www.soniacoleman.com/Tutorials/Powe…/multimedia.htm%5B/url%5D for what they should be. This is the same info from the PPT FAQ version of the multimedia tutorial — it’s just easier to read on Sonia’s site, I think. So I’d actually start there and make triply sure that the MCI settings are correct. (Fixing the MCI settings in the INI files is for Win 95/98.)

Updating video drivers probably won’t fix this issue, but it shouldn’t hurt. Set a restore point in WinXP so you can easily get back to his old drivers if you wish.

Reply | Quote