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

September 15, 2008 4:41 AM

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?
posted by handee to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

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.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 5:01 AM on September 15, 2008

Response by poster: 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...
posted by handee at 5:21 AM on September 15, 2008

You could try examining them with Video Inspector. It will tell you if any additional codecs are required and where to get them.
posted by fire&wings at 5:29 AM on September 15, 2008

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.
posted by damn dirty ape at 6:53 AM on September 15, 2008

I would try downloading and installing the "Defiler Codec Pack' - It's help me with almost all media files and its free.
posted by Hellafiles at 9:52 AM on September 15, 2008

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The Defiler Pack is 3 years outdated.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 3:37 PM on September 16, 2008