kevs

I've always transferred video data from my desktop to my laptop. There has never been any problem playing the file after the transfer. More specifically, the two files I'm trying to transfer are both .avi files.

Since this past weekend, I cannot play any newly transferred files from my desktop to my laptop. It loads up in Windows Media on my laptop, resizes the screen to the format of the file, and even the length of the video is there.

I've tried transferring it via my jump drive and wirelessly.

But it doesn't play.

I have made no changes whatsoever to my desktop or laptop.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

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kevs

InfiniteNothing

Sounds like a copy protection/drm issue

eSDee

Try playing it using VLC player and see if you get the same error.

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johnnymk

What do you use to tansfer the files? A USB adapter?

For some reason, I had a similar problem on my laptop several weeks ago. As soon as I disconnected the USB adapter, the DVD software player came up and I could then play the file.

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kevs

I've tried two different methods:

1. I used my 1GB Cruzer
2. I transferred it through AIM file transfer

Here's the thing though. It works perfectly for me on my desktop and works perfectly through my Cruzer drive when it's plugged into my desktop.

As soon as I plug it into my laptop, it loads up and the window resizes to its aspect ratio, but it's a blank screen and nothing plays.

I haven't tried the VLC player and will have to try that tonight.

InfiniteNothing

That's because only computer A is licensed to play the file (I'm guessing). Try the file in computer C. If it still doesn't work you can be pretty sure it's a licensing/drm/copyright issue. Also, try putting it on computer B over the network and then from computer A through the network, try and play the file that's on computer B.

Markel

Could it be a matter of the laptop not having the correct codec? (You might try opening the .avi file using Gspot on the laptop to see if it has the needed codec.)

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johnnymk

Maybe Windows Media Player got corrupted? Try removing it and reinstalling it.

gwilks98

Everyone keeps suggesting DRM problems but I don't think AVI carries the ability to check for DRM or licenses. (Possibly confusing it with WMV)

I would check your codecs. I'll bet your laptop is using a corrupt one, so that it thinks it's playing video when it's really not.

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kevs

I just installed some codecs on my laptop that I have on my desktop...something called an ac3 filter?

Anyway, it still doesn't work. How would I check if my codecs are working?

My Windows Media Player is also weird when I play my files, so I use the old school "wmplayer2" and that works a lot better for me. But I've tried playing it through both typs of Windows Players and the BS Player, but they both don't work.

I'll start another thread on the stupid Dr Watson. It always crashes my directory before I even select a file!

gwilks98

In control panel, go to sounds and audio devices. Click on the hardware tab, highlight video codecs and click properties. Compare that between the two computers.

That being said, when it plays, do you hear sound? This would confirm my suspicion of the video codec, since audio uses different ones.

kevs

Both computer codecs match up.

It plays no sound at all. It only adjust to the aspect ratio of the video and then nothing else happens.

It sounds like it's thinking, but nothing ever happens.

kevs

AND......VLC Player plays it!

Thanks to esDeeLoco!

But what makes this player better than the rest?

ray

nvm. i'm a moron.

InfiniteNothing

Oh super double thanks eSDee. I figured I had a bum file (a *.mpg) because windows media player couldn't play it. I opened it up in VLC and it just worked.

kevs

Ah, the new magic media player.

It even has a cool "orange cone" icon.

eSDee

I'll be here all week