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On Mar 11, 6:19 pm, "Stuart" wrote:
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This is again a question about avi files. I never thought that it is
another one of such messy thing that we created. I tried to open an
avi file in my PC using different versions of Windows Media Players,
and they did not recognized it. When I checked the internet, I found
out that there are different versions of avi which are exceptable to
different version of computers. What a mess. It is similar to saving
a spreadsheet file (xls), in which there are so many choices and
confusing. They are all with extension .xls, but cater to different
version of the software (in which changing perhaps every other day!).
My questions a
- How to convert this avi file to a file which can be excepted to 95%
of computers? If you have an mp3 file, you likely be able to play it
on most computer, dont' you?
- What file is generally accepted by many computer? I just want a
basic format that can be opened by most computers (old and new).
I recall a long time ago, an avi file (whatever it was called or
version) can be open easily and compatible for most OS. Is this true?
Is avi file equivalent to MPEG4 file?
Thanks for the info.

AVI is not a file format like mp3 or .xls but rather a container.
Having said that it sounds like you haven't all of the various codecs
installed on your computer. To do this go
tohttp://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack.htmand
download
and install "K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 1.67" this will update everything. You
might also consider installing Windows Media Player version 11.

Thanks for info.
Why should I install a WMP v.11? My WMP came with my Windows ME when
I bought it 6 years ago. That's the other question that I asked,
whether there is a basic video/audio file that can be excepted in any
version of computer O/S. Can an . mpg file be opened in any WMP
regarless of its version?
Then the question is how to convert this avi file to that simple,
basic video/audio file.


Sorry I didn't notice you were still on Windows ME - that version of Windows
was probably the worst version for handling media files - and no don't
update to WMP v11 as ME would have a heart attack!!!! But you do need to
update your codecs on a regular basis as it is an area of constant
development. I would suggest if you can and your computer is capable of
updating to Windows XP with SP2 included. Stay away from Vista for at least
12 months until the dust settles! But you will find if you stick with
Windows ME (Microsoft no longer support ME) that more and more media files
simply won't work on that system. Anyway in the meantime keep what you can
updated, computers by their very nature are not "buy and forget" devices
like domestic pets they have an overhead.... Good luck

- How to convert this avi file to a file which can be excepted to 95%
of computers?


If you encode your file using the Cinepac codec, it will play on most PCs -
but as Richard said, video compression has come on in leaps and bounds since
you installed WinME. If your viewer is as out-of-touch as you are, then fair
enough; but it's more likely that your viewer will benefit from a newer
codec.

wrote:
This is again a question about avi files. I never thought that it is
another one of such messy thing that we created. I tried to open an
avi file in my PC using different versions of Windows Media Players,
and they did not recognized it. When I checked the internet, I found
out that there are different versions of avi which are exceptable to
different version of computers. What a mess. It is similar to saving
a spreadsheet file (xls), in which there are so many choices and
confusing. They are all with extension .xls, but cater to different
version of the software (in which changing perhaps every other day!).
My questions a
- How to convert this avi file to a file which can be excepted to 95%
of computers? If you have an mp3 file, you likely be able to play it
on most computer, dont' you?
- What file is generally accepted by many computer? I just want a
basic format that can be opened by most computers (old and new).
I recall a long time ago, an avi file (whatever it was called or
version) can be open easily and compatible for most OS. Is this true?
Is avi file equivalent to MPEG4 file?
Thanks for the info.

I am guessing that AVI file is in DIVX format, meaning you need to
add that codec.

On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 21:48:30 +0000, Tony Morgan
wrote:

AVI is nothing more than a container for any type of data. Think of it
being like an envelope which can contain a letter, a cheque, a birthday
card - the envelope is an envelope, and it can contain anything.

To find out what an AVI contains use Gspot, available from he
http://www.headbands.com/gspot/download.html

AVIs identify what type of data is within the file,using something
called a "FourC" code - which identifies what codec was used to produce
the AVI.

Gspot tells you which codec (or codec type) was used to produce it, and
it tells you if you have an appropriate codec on your machine. If you
don't have the particular codec (or codec type) a Google search should
locate it (or an alternative codec) and allow you to download and
install.

Yeah, very erudite. But that wasn't the question. He doesn't want to
know how to play a given avi, he wants to know how to create one with
maximum compatibility.

On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:10:27 +0000, Tony Morgan
wrote:

What about an . mpg file... is it also like an "envelope", similar to
avi?

No. But there are different types of Mpegs; MPG1 and MPG2.

....and again, you've snipped out the main question in order to lecture
us on a detail.

What format should he use to make a video file with maximum
compatibility?

On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:16:30 GMT, "G Hardy"
wrote:

AVI is nothing more than a container for any type of data. Think of it
being like an envelope which can contain a letter, a cheque, a birthday
card - the envelope is an envelope, and it can contain anything.

Further to what Tony and others have written; the idea of a "container"
happens more than you think. WAV, MOV and (to a lesser extent) WMA and WMV
all rely on system-installed codecs. It's a clever system really, not a mess
(as the OP thinks), because you don't need to install a new application
whenever someone develops a new compression scheme.

Even the use of XLS is a bad example (from the OP's PoV) because there are
compatibility issues between files saved with different versions of Office.


And which codec do you recommend for maximum compatibility?

On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 17:31:22 -0700, "Richard Crowley"
wrote:

That's the other question that I asked, whether there is a
basic video/audio file that can be excepted in any version
of computer O/S.

Likely the most common form of video that nearly everyone
has ability to play is Macromedia/Adobe Flash. The Flash
player comes embedded in most everyone's internet browser
application (Microsoft's Internet Explorer, etc.) Of course,
people who haven't done any upgrades for 6 years may not
be able to play files that are made today.

Can an . mpg file be opened in any WMP regarless of its version?

Unlikely by people who don't upgrade their software for
6 years.

Then the question is how to convert this avi file to that
simple, basic video/audio file.

The world is more complex and advanced than you seem
to imagine.


So you're recommending Flash? How should he go about converting a
video to Flash? Anyone feel helpful? :-)

On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:47:03 GMT, "G Hardy"
wrote:

No. But there are different types of Mpegs; MPG1 and MPG2.

MPEG-2 requires a paid license, so you won't be able to play MPG files
encoded with MPEG-2 on a relatively fresh windows installation. If you pay
for a codec such as the one you can get from MainConcept, or you install a
DVD playback program such as Cyberlink PowerDVD, so MPG is a "container",
viewed from that perspective...

So what format do you suggest he uses for maximum compatibility?

On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 01:10:47 GMT, "G Hardy"
wrote:

- How to convert this avi file to a file which can be excepted to 95%
of computers?


If you encode your file using the Cinepac codec, it will play on most PCs -
but as Richard said, video compression has come on in leaps and bounds since
you installed WinME. If your viewer is as out-of-touch as you are, then fair
enough; but it's more likely that your viewer will benefit from a newer
codec.


Phew! An answer, at last! :-)

In message , Laurence Payne
writes
...and again, you've snipped out the main question in order to lecture
us on a detail.

**** off troll.

You never contribute - only carp and try to start arguments.

--
Tony Morgan