Let me start by saying I HAVE read the forums related to my situation but still have questions.

I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop with Vista OS () and Toshiba 500GB external storage. I use IE 8 and Java version 1.6.0-oem Java HotSpot. I have been using WMP for practically forever and am not quite ready for change. I just recently (this morning) updated my LW from 4.18.8 to 5.5.14. I have been using LW for a long while but for music downloads only. Also this morning I DL my first movie. I am having the same problem as others I have read about. It has beautiful sound but no picture.

When I go to search for the codec, this is what comes up: commons-codec-1.3 (I take it this is the standard OEM codec???)

I read the codec forum but would like to know if I have to uninstall that original codec that came with my laptop or just DL an updated/new one?

I do want to state that I have no problem playing DVD's or CD's or burning CD's.

Thanks for all you do

Update of codecs will hopefully remove any out of date codecs.
There are always alternative codec packages but only one package should be installed at a time.

FLkraker

Just a couple of things to add to what LOTR has said:

1) Most forum members recommend and use VLC and or GOM, these media players, unlike WMP, will play most media files unless they are corrupt or fake.

2) If you do get non-MS codec to work with WMP, thus increasing it's facilities, an MS WMP update will either delete or disconnect these codec from WMP and put you back to where you started.


UK Bob

Thank you both for your replies. One last question...... can I have WMP & either VLC or GOM installed at the same time? I quite like WMP for my music (burning, syncing & the such).

You can yes. VLC & presumably GOM also are independent programs. And all the codecs are self-contained within the program itself. For example if you wished open videos with VLC, you can right-click a video file & choose open with, select VLC & check option to always open with. That would then make VLC the default to always open that kind of video file.

OUTSTANDING!!!! I shall do that readily. I very much appreciate your & ukbobby01's help. It's nice to be able to get answers quickly.


You (or anyone) prefer one over the other??

I've used both VLC and GOM; they are virtually identical.
I haven't used WMP in years.

FLkraker

This is a late reply (too late to help) but it will give you the benefit of my personal experience.

First of all, I use all the media players mentioned in this thread, i.e. WMP, VLC, GOM and one extra, Quicktime.

WMP - I find this player good for playing my MP3 albums, I buy from Amazon, some standard films/DVDs, etc.

VLC - Will virtually play anything as long as the file concerned is not corrupt or fake.

GOM - Like VLC, will play anything but, unlike VLC, will still play files that has gaps, small pockets of corruption and/or imperfections.

Quicktime - Good for playing film clips, such as those shown on Rotten Tomatoes and other film clip hosting sites.

Hope this helps



UK Bob

PS. I used to use Real Player as well.