Playing VCDs and SVCDs in Windows Media Player


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This may sound like an odd question, but I remember back in the days with Windows 98 I could do this, but as I have upgraded my OS to 2000 and finally XP I lost this ability.

Before, I had no problems opening the .dat or .mpg files from a VCD and SVCD and have them playback in Windows Media Player. I realize that SVCD uses the MPEG-2 codec and I do have the MPEG-2 codec I had with Windows 98 installed on XP. I also remember reading about how the file system of a VCD and SVCD are a little different and if the ASPI drivers can't read them, then you're not as lucky as a clam in high tide.

I'm using the ASPI drivers you can download from Bink's Windows XP site, and I'm sure everyone else is too, but I was wondering if someone knew of a way to fix this dilema.

- AV

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In order to be able to play "SVCD's" in Windows Media Player you must first install a DVD Player software such as Power DVD or Win DVD even if you not have a physical DVD in your system.

The reason is it installs the SVCD,DVD codec needed to play "SVCD's".

As for "VCD's" i have no problem playing them at all in WMP

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i feel for you man.

when i upgraded to xp, i could play CDs, DVDs, but not VCDs. i used to get an error msg. it was the wierdest problem i had ever seen.

supposedly my dvd player (my CD drive) had a region protection. i other words, i could only play the DVDs of region 2 (europe). so, i looked for a firmware/patch to have my dvd player have no region protection. i know this sounds wierd but once i did that, my vcd works.

so my suggestion for you is to download Drive Region Info at http://www.visualdomain.net/ and check for your firmware. i found mine at http://perso.club-internet.fr/farzeno/firm...e/dvd/combo.htm

WARNING: u need to be very careful while doing this. if your player already has no region protection and u try to download and patch it, that might destroy your player. read those websites for more info. but first just download the Drive Region Info and see if you drive has region protection or no and proceed from there.

good luck.

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vcds are just mpegs that conform to a certain standard, that have been renamed to .dat , and slapped inside a directory structure.

If you cant play the vcd as an object, select open file, browse to the cd, and somewhere in their you will find a (possibly more than 1) large .dat file. Double click it, and it'll play as an mpg.

Everyone else is right, svcd is mpeg 2, so needs codecs via a dvd player installed.

Jon

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I know all this about codecs and everything. But I remember a long time ago back in Windows 98 where when I installed DiscJuggler, I lost ability to play VCDs and when I uninstalled it, I had that ability again. The only thing I can think of is ASPI, but the only ASPI available for WinXP is the one on that Bink site.

Don't get me wrong, I can play VCDs and SVCDs in Win/PowerDVD, just not in Windows Media, even when opening the .dat or .mpg on the CD.

- AV

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