Comments on: Powerpoint and video - how hard can it be? Suggestions for codecs or video formats that will work, please...

Question: Powerpoint and video - how hard can it be? Suggestions for codecs or video formats that will work, please...

handee — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:41:50 -0800

I have a presentation which includes a number of videos. They don't play. I am assuming this is a codec problem - but as the videos are mpeg-2 maybe this isn't the case (I thought that by going for an old codec they were more likely to work). PowerPoint 2007, XP. I have admin rights so can install extra codecs, and I have linux with ffmpeg/mplayer so I can convert the videos. What should I do?

By: Inspector.Gadget

Inspector.Gadget — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:01:13 -0800

Not all versions of Windows XP include an MPEG-2 codec, though most retailers bundle one. ffdshow tryouts can be used to decoded MPEG-2 and basically everything else. You will want to check "Enable DVD playback" in the "ffdshow video decoder" dialog box but don't check "use speedup tricks" unless you're dropping frames on a very old PC - checking that box will reduce quality.

By: handee

handee — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:21:35 -0800

I've just installed ffdshow tryouts, and I'm afraid my problem persists. The videos play fine in windows media player, but embedded in Powerpoint they're not working properly. I now have 2 versions - one with avis, one with the mpeg-2 videos. The avi version does nothing in PPT, and the mpeg-2 version runs so slowly as to be unusable...

By: fire&wings

fire&wings — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:29:30 -0800

You could try examining them with Video Inspector. It will tell you if any additional codecs are required and where to get them.

By: damn dirty ape

damn dirty ape — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:53:12 -0800

In my experience, Powerpoint only plays wmv files and its touchy about which ones. Convert them to wmv or play them separately outside of PP during your presentation.

By: Hellafiles

Hellafiles — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:52:33 -0800

I would try downloading and installing the "Defiler Codec Pack' - It's help me with almost all media files and its free.

By: Inspector.Gadget

Inspector.Gadget — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:37:21 -0800

I would try downloading and installing the "Defiler Codec Pack' - It's help me with almost all media files and its free.

The Defiler Pack is 3 years outdated.