Video talk huh?
VLC should do the trick.
If it doesn't, Mplayer should (http://www.mplayerhq.hu/homepage/design7/news.html)
If none of them work, then it's probably because you are still trying to view them via LW by clicking on the preview button.
LW is good, but it can be a little CPU-heavy as some of you might have experienced.
Clicking the preview button on a file that is still downloading adds extra work for LW:
-it has to first create a preview file.
->since the real file is still unfinished, part of it is still blank. If you load that to a player though, you risk getting a small error (not very dangerous) saying that the length of the file isn't right or something else to that effect.

Once said preview file's created:
-LW has to open it in the appropriate player.
->LW does the same thing as you double-clicking on the file from your browser. The difference with that and doing it yourself is that, if you do the latter, you at least can be sure that it is you who somehow screwed something up (go figure how).


Bottom line? Go open the files you want yourself via your browser.
Create a shortcut of the Shared folder if you want.

Also, I wouldn't recommend WMP. VLC or Mplayer (there's a bunch of such free players that are better than WMP) will do the job with no additional codecs, sparing you codec-hunting. This way, you also avoid the risk of doing the thing I've seen a couple of times: conflicting codec packs.
If you still want to use WMP, find one codec pack that seems to do the job and keep only that. Don't install a bunch of packs.

Hey Hobo

If you got the money for the iMac, why not save a little more and get the Power Mac?
It may not look as slick (it's still better looking that most PCs though ;)) but you'll definitely be happier once you get it, no?

Welp, for myself, Windows Media Player 9x works just fine, never any problems, installed the codecs and I can view any video, any file extensions. and Ive never had any hassles or worries about the codecs not working properly. Idont believe in downloading third party players and or extreme codecs. Ive used WMP for years now. :D