Windows Media Center on Vista x64: Codec Hell (Updated!)
Submitted by Vlad on Thu, 11/08/2007 - 10:18.
Just in case anyone ever wants to find them (or when I need to find them again...) if you'd actually like to WATCH videos in MCE, you'll need the following *64-bit* codec pack installed:
After installing the latest release I was finally able to play my Xvid and DivX videos. Don't even bother installing the real DivX bundle, or the XviD codec from the XviD homepage; neither of those will work. Because MCE/WMP on Vista x64 are 64-bit binaries, they require 64-bit codecs. Installing the XviD and DivX packages will not work!
Microsoft seriously needs to take a clue from VLC: your freaking player can't be limited to just WMV's if you really expect anyone to adopt it. Seriously...how can any company be so dense?
2007/11/11 UPDATE:
After reinstalling Vista x64, I discovered that simply installing the binaries I linked above is not enough; the shortcuts installed wont run the Video/Audio Configuration utilities (instead, ffdshow crashes), and the ffdshow icons don't appear when (trying) to play videos in WMP/Media Center. You'll get a cryptic "Error loading ffdshow.ax" error. Here's a screen capture of the crash when running the Video Configuration program:
Side-by-side configuration error? WTF does that mean!?
I didn't know it before, but these binaries require the Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package for x64. Luckily, they're quick and painless to download and install (bonus: you don't need to deal with all that genuine windows crap). Key thing to note: you need the SP1 release, the VC++ 2005 Redistributable Package for x64 does not work!
Once you've installed these redistributables, you'll need to reinstall the ffdshow codec pack I linked above (or else the program will run, but no dialog box will be displayed). After that you shouldn't have any problems running ffdshow configuration utilities or playing videos in WMP/Media Center!
Happy Watching!
Worked Perfectly!
Thanks a lot, mate!
Good thing you took the time and effort to save our sorry "c++'s", if you know what I mean! I wandered through a lot a sites before I got here and was about to give up. I had no idea the problem had something to do with the fact that i was using the x64 Vista.
Kudos!
Thanks for this wonderful
Thanks for this wonderful post.
THE GOD
man u save my mind to not go crazy I trying on 64 vista media center install those codecs for loong time THANX FOR THIS POST AALOOOT
Thank you!! youve made life
Thank you!!
youve made life so much easy :)
genius
xx
This is great especially if
This is great especially if they get it to work on the Apple TV. That thing is about as useful as an IPod without MP3 support. Having used XBMC on the original xbox I am really looking forward to it.Arizona Massage School
This phenomenon can have
This phenomenon can have both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, the online social environment offers new opportunities by extending the social life of a high school student beyond the realm of school. link building
Works for me
hi it works for me i have CCCP installed installed the C++ and the FFDshow and now mce works fine !
I love you Vlad!
My god, it has been a long, hard journey. Wish I'd found this page earlier!
You are a total PC god Vlad, thank you so much for your help!!!
thank you so much.
it has been a full week trying to figure this out. i am not sure if it is the codec pack you linked or the visualc++ files....divx and xvid now work. thank you!
Vista Codec
I'm not a fan of codec packs... But try Vista Codec.
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Vista_Codec_Package/1159994557/1
has an x64 addon.
hell yea! this works
hell yea! this works perfect, im sure you can understand the headache ive been having for a week now because of this micro$oft bull shit. Thank you !
You rock!!!!! Thanks Vlad....
I was pulling my hair out over this.
Thanks!
NO GO
Weird, I decided to try and install the 32bit version of ffdshow along with the 64bit, xvid working fine now. Still working on mkv files
NO GO
Hey, thanks for the detailed instructions, but unfortunately I'm still unable to watch anything in wmp or mce. I've installed the 64 bit ffdshow coded, the visualc++ files, etc. Everything works fine in vlc but obviously I want everything to work fine in wmp and mce aswell. I previously had the cccp codec pack installed, I uninstalled this prior to installing ffdshow and company. Any ideas?
Post new comment