"Software Component Needed" Error Message
 

Hi:

With about half of my downloads, I get an error message that says "Could open the file because a software component needed by the movie could not be found." Huh? I'm using a B&W G3, system 9, with Quicktime. Anyone know what's going on, and how to fix this problem? Thanks,

Kev

It's a common problem for media users--many different compression formulae are used in media files. Media distribution companies would love to have rights to the most popular formula (CODEC), and get as rich as DOLBY.

Solutions? Upgrading to QuickTime Pro adds a few extra translators/codecs. On OS 9, there aren't many more alternatives (on OSX, other players are available like VLC).

The bottom line is to download the most successful file types (I only search for .mpg's--most .mpeg's won't easily work for me).

search for "software component" to see many more postings.

Cheers

stief, that's very strange because mpg's and mpeg's are exactly the same kind of files (mpeg-1). mpg is just a shorter name.

I agree sebdude. Apparently the compressors used can vary greatly, even though the extensions are the same. I did read an explanation of this somewhere months ago, but I can't find it now. Multiplatform makes multimedia multiconfusing!