I've got some AVI files I want to play but Media Player says it can't play them because i 'may not have the correct codec installed'. Well I have an awful lot of Codecs installed so I can't see me not having it, but before i give up with them, is there any way - any utilities or anything - to check what codec the files were recorded with/require to play? Thanks for any information! Alex

Err...I'm not positive about this subject, so someone please correct me ;) Right click on the video file and hit properties, then hit the summary tab. Sometimes it lists the codec there.... You probably already thought of this or maybe it doesnt work but, thought I'd try ;) Sorry :(

Hi, I tried doing as you described above (which i did know about but didn't think of, so thanks for reminding me!!) but it says: summary properties are unavailable for the selected source(s) Hmm so now im lost.

Try GSpot. I've had it help me before in figuring out what audio and video codecs an AVI uses.

Try this site; http://avicodec.duby.info/ Unfortunately there seem to be loads of slightly different versions of AVI codecs, so it tends to be trial and error.

the best suggestion has already been made... gspot! that will tell what codec is needed for each file, just load it in and press render, the only problem is you then have to go find the correct codec. a superbly simple solution, in fact there are two.... 1. get the klite codec pack and do a normal installation of that. It will solve 95% of your codec needs without worrying about conflicts. http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Codec_Pack.htm 2. get VLC (videolan) player. Plays practically anything you throw at it. hope this helps.

The only thing to watch is that the KLite Codec Pack doesn't play real nice with previously installed codecs. It's infamous for messing up stuff that already works. You can try it, but you may have to do some additional work after it's installed. I'd try getting the 4CC codec code (GSpot shows it) and Googling it. That should show you what codec it uses.