Playing/Troubleshooting Downloaded Movies Guide
Written by darkmafiaguy.

Most movies you download nowadays are made in the AVI format. There are two types of AVI's generally, uncompressed and mpeg4(DivX, XviD). To run these files, you need third party software. If your files are not working properly, please follow the instructions in this guide before posting for help. Thanks.

1. Video not working
If you open up an AVI file, and the video does not play (or your player reports that it cannot find the proper codec) chances are you don't have the DivX or XviD codec. A codec decodes information to play video.
To find out how the AVI file you are trying play is encoded, download a program called GSpot which identifies the format in which the video and audio is encoded in:

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/GSpot.htm

After opening the file in GSpot, look in the codec area inside the Video box so figure out which codec it uses. If it says DivX then head over here to install the DivX codec:

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/DivX_Free.htm

If it displays XviD, install either one of these:

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Koepi_XviD.htm
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Nic_XviD_Codec.htm

After installing, you may need to restart your computer. Then run the avi file and the video should play.

Sidenote: If it says Mpeg-2, then you need an Mpeg-2 codec:
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Stinky_MPEG_2_Codec.htm

2. Audio not working
If you open up an AVI file, and the audio does not play it probably means the audio is encoded in AC3 (a 5.1 channel sound format) or the more uncommon DTS (another higher quality 5.1 channel sound format). To play either one of those, you can install AC3Filter:

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/AC3_Filter.htm

Make sure to downloaded the newest one, as the older AC3Filters do not support DTS. After installing, play the AVI file in your media player and the sound should work.

If you find out, using GSpot, that you have an OGG audio stream, use Media Player Classic:
http://www.divx-digest.com/software/media_...er_classic.html
(Thanks to Awdark.)


3. Subtitles not working
Subtitles generally come in the .srt (Subrip) or .sub formats. In both formats, there is raw text which gets read and played, unlike subtitles in DVDs which are images. There are a few option you have in playing these subtitle files. The first thing you should do before using any of these methods is to put the subtitles in the save folder as your avi files and with the same name. For example, if the name of your avi file is "Two.Guys.DivX.DVDRip" then the subtitles should also be named, "Two.Guys.DivX.DVDRip" If you have extensions showing, leave the extensions as they originally were. The first option you have in playing subtitles is using a plug-in called VobSub:

http://www.divx-digest.com/software/vobsub.html

It will directly render the subtitles to the video in realtime. What does this mean? It allows you to use it with any media player and it will also display the subtitles for you into video automatically if your converting it in certain programs. This is great when using unconventional media files, such as RM. After installing it, just play your AVI files and the subtitles should automatically be played by VobSub. If it doesn't work with VobSub, use the following method.

Another way, to play subtitles is to use a different media player altogether which supports subtitles. I prefer this method because I find VobSub a bit glitchy. The one I use is called BSPlayer. Download:

http://www.bsplayer.org/

After installing, run the AVI file in BSPlayer, and the subtitles should automatically load. Using BSplayer, you can do a couple of nifty things relating to the subtitles. To move them up or down, (which is useful in fullscreen mode) hold shift and press the up or down arrow keys. To correct the time, hold Shift and press the right and left arrow keys to move the subtitles times forward or backwards respectively in 200 ms increments.

Alternatively, you can use a program called Subtitle Workshop to permanently edit the subtitle file to your liking, this includes shifting the times to correct the time:

http://www.divx-digest.com/software/subtitle_workshop.html

Thats all for now, check back later for more troubleshooting information!

(luckily I made a reply early on)
Guides to Hard subbing! by mtlandis
Subtitling
Burning



Yay that looks nicer than mine
Add ogg for audio. Media Player Classic with BS player (prefer mpc over bs personally)

And if its a weird subtitle format, use subtitle workshop to convert or edit.


Edit: funny how I awDARK and DARKmafiaguy made video wont play threads

Done, only the OGG Vorbis part.

wow thanks for telling!! I had almost all of these trouble! ^^

Um I have a question, hopefully this is the right way to put it in.. Um I've d/l some of those and it works fine but the pictures and the words don't go together. Is it the Media's fault or the file or something else I forgot? I dunno.

Its quite possible that the file itself is corrupted. But it cant hurt to update the codecs.

Problem:
1. File corrupt like awdark said. It already came out of sync.
2. Your computer has a problem/is too slow.
3. Something software wise went wrong. Pretty hard to pin point.

Solution:
1. You could uninstall and reinstall everything.
2. Use BSplayer to play your subtitles, and shift the subtitle times back or forth so the audio and video match up. I explain this in more detail in my guide.

well, i have a downloaded .avi file but it was in slow motion when i played it but the audio is normal... whats the problem with that.. i have all the codecs in this thread.. even more.. hehe..

Yea i seem to have the exact same problem as you..what is the problem anyway?

you might have obsolete codes. Find out which your video needs and update it

I found out which codec i needed which is windows media video 9 and there seems to be nothing wrong with it

How do you fix audio/video sync? I'm CERTAIN my file is corrupt so I really just need a progrma to fix it

I had a program that did the job a LONG time ago and I can't find it anymore, so it's really frustrating not being able to re-sync the files

Oh btw it's those files that won't work with VirtualDub -.-;; cuz I used to use VirtualDub for a lot of things

file type? mpeg use tmpegenc, though virtual dub mod might be able to work with the mpeg stream.

@akiko, try another media player... Bsplayer or media player classic. Might be a config glitch.

^.avi's :/

Gonna go try Pinnacle and see if it helps asd;flkj

thank you so much!!

this solved my problems!!

i dunno how to thank you enuff!!

gaaah...i downloaded gspot cause my file wouldnt play at all...but when i looked to see what kind of codec i need, it said "n.a."

any way to fix this?? T__T

my avi files have been acting wierd =//

if you look at the duration it says 52:05 but the actual file is only 3 minutes or so o.o. .

That is a flaw in the video itself. MOst likely an issue with the bitrate.. I assume the video was encoded as VBR and windows media doesnt like it.
Other thing might be the header file is damaged.

erm, can we burn the AVI videos along with the subtitles into VCDs or DVDs?

Refer to this thread http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19658 . There are a few links that you might find helpful. I would try to write a guide but my luck with getting the subs to work isnt quite with me right now.

Okay back with a video audio/video sync question

What programs (besides Virtualdub/virtualdubmod/tmpgenc) can I use to resync a video that's in

mpeg-2 and ac3 interleaved format?

i just found out that everytime i play a file that is encoded in a WMV9, the video will always be in slow motion but the audio is normal.. i checked my codec and it says i already have WMV9 codec and its working... what other suggestions can you think of?? can you five me a link of a reliable WM9 codec.. thanks in advance!!!

@happyroach I thought virtualdubmod should be able to handle mpeg2..
I know at a minimum TMPGenc can do the mpeg2 resync, but the AC3 part makes it very difficult. I know you would want to preserve the AC3 stream over just resampling it to a stereo mix but I can't think of anything that can resync it.

@oshirou
That is very odd. Do you think its possible you changed the settings in the options to be a complete software render over hardware accelerated rendering which causees the mass decoder lag? (Tools, options, performance tab) If not, consider upgrading or reinstalling Windows media player.

how about the GOM player?
i installed it because people said that i could watch vids while still dling from clubbox... and it keeps on saying that i don't have a codec. then it transfers me to this page:

[url=http://gom.ipop.co.kr/codec/search.html?type=9&guid=%7b%35%46%34%31%35%34%34%31%2d%30%30%30%30%2d%30%30%30%30%2d%30%30%30%30%2d%46%46%46%46%46%46%46%46%46%46%46%46%7d]
HERE.[/url]

i know at the top it says "couldn't find codec". so.. what am i supposed to do now?

and i hope this is the right section....
`cause the file is .avi

is there a way to play AVI formats on MAC? im not gettin this mac computer at all T_T everytime i try to DL somethin.. its mostly all for windows.. HRM and everytime i try to watch an AVI file it always say im missing sumthin... T_T

um..like everyone said,
i'm havin same problems with AVI files..
music is okey but the video is like really really extremely slow.
i'm viewing it on WINAMP but window media player was the same

what is the problem?

i downloaded all those codecs..
and its still doin that!

please help!

=[ sometimes too many codecs is a bad thing...
My ultimate solution to all that is the Kazaa mega pack.

Wonder if its legal to post...

OMG... THANK YOU SO MUCH!! i was ready to hurt myself cause this wouldnt workk..

No dont get that people. Never ever get a codec pack. Its more trouble than its worth. It'll cause you alot of problems in the future.

I dl a file but the subs doesnt sync with the movie. I am using kmp player. The subs comes out first before the person speaks. Any solution?

Hope someone can help. Thanks.

what's the difference between .smi and .smil? i can play .smi with my media player classic but not .smil

Use SubtitleWorkshop (google it) to correct it since you dont use BS Player.




I think the same thing. Try renaming .smil to .smi and see if it works.

i have the same problem as oshirou and i tried doing what you suggested but the video is still in slowmo...

EDITED

aahh me too. I tried to recovert to some different version of AVi but it come out with the result of no SOUND!! Help!!

Really? Most of the time I agree that bundles suck. But when it comes to codecs I know I can get the 98% working with the DIVX, Xvid, AC3.. etc.

There is always one or two that just refuse to work so I give up and just do a custom install of that codec pack. I belive the codec I hate the most is the AC3 direct show filter because using the typical AC3 filter somehow or another lets you listen to it and use it, but not allow me to resample it down to 2 channel stereo which I need for video conversion.

Eh, its just differences in style and preference. One download, uninstall all your current codecs, install that and leave it alone until things dont work again then uninstall, get update and repeat.

Well, darkmafiaguy ill let you see if you can figure out all these slow motion playback and WMV issues. I think their codecs are obsolete and the two other random things to diagnose is DirectX and video drivers. (Oh and is your aviator Otsuka ai?)

nvm...I fixed the problem..

sorry, but i'm having troubles playing .avi files ;[
i downloaded gspot to figure out what codec i needed,
and it told me that i need the xvid & ac3... things.
so, i downloaded both of those, restarted my computer...
but when i open the file to play,
it's just a white screen.
i can press play, and it'll go....
but there's no sound, and there's no picture.
am i still missing something? :[

I am having a problem with audio and video not being in synch. I'm not sure if I am allowed to say what video file I am having problems with so if someone can help just ask me and I can pm you what it is. The audio plays a split second before the video that is in line with that audio part plays, so when the people are performing or talking their mouths continue to move after the audio has played and the talking is over. I am wondering if maybe I need a certain audio filter pack or video codec but I ran gspot and it said I have everything installed. Is there any program I can use or anything I can do to try to fix it? Sorry for the trouble and thanks.

When I play a movie, the sound is very low.. Is there a way to make the volume higher? i have DLed it drom Clubbox, and is a .AVI.

Audio OR video doesnt work??? Wahh. Thats pretty crazy. Try using VLC media player.



Either you have outdated or corrupted codecs or your computer just cant handle it. What are your specs?



AC3 streams are always at pretty low volume. One way you can fix it is by going to the ac3filter settings in control panel and turning up the amplification. Sometimes that doesn't work and there isnt much you can do about it other than turn up your speakers. :/

OMG! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
my audio wouldnt work... now it does!!! THANK YOU!

thanks so much!
it works with that (:

i dled some stuff from clubbox but audio doesnt come out. i tried http://www.free-codecs.com/download/AC3_Filter.htm but still nothing.

How do i burn .AVI files into a dvd cd?

alright guys...so I thought I fixed the problem but I can't play Stairway to Heaven episode 11. I can play all the other episodes but not this one. It says that its an avi and says I have all the codecs downloaded (gspot). I can only hear the sound but can see nothing.

EDITED.

how do I play Avi file? WMP can't play it

You need to codec. Read the first post.

--------------------

Also, I've been dling some dramas from clubbox. When i play them with the subs, it gets all green and splotchy. It's like that with or w/o the subs for BS player, but in WMP, it's only like that with the subs. Can someone please help me?

I've burned my dramas before onto my DVDs as data...but now it doesn't work! I don't understand why. I can put movies that I've downloaded from emule, but the Korean drama ones can't be added to be burned.

WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks in advance.