Sound but no picture watching .avi files

[aayeo1]

Hi I am trying to watch some avi files using gbpvr (latest download running on xp sp2 with latest media player) but only get the sound. Do I need to add a codec or something else. Will not play locally or via MVP.

Thanks in advance

[sub]

You probably dont have a codec for whatever video type is carried in the .avi container file. The most common video types are xvid or divx, so you'd need one of these decoder, but there are other video types like DV etc that are carried in avi files.

[aayeo1]

Thanks for the quick response, how do I tell what codec I need and how do I install it. I cam view the avi's fine using vlc if that helps!

[HtV]

Vlc plays about everything, but it uses it's own built-in decoders.
You could use Gspot to find out what codec you need for any video.
http://gspot.headbands.com/
It really is a nice program.

[nitrogen_widget]

You can also just right-click on the file & view it's properties to see what it was encoded in.

Usually the XVID decoder will handle most .avi type files.

Except H/X 264 which i'm starting to see more often.
I had to install FFDSHOW to play those.

Some one correct me if i'm wrong.