If the doofus who created the video you're trying to watch used an obscure, off-the-wall codec, you'll need to get the right one onto your PC. To complicate matters, some video formats, even using mainstream codecs (most notoriously MOV, MPG, and AVI), can be encoded just a little differently, at say, 119 schlemiels rather than the standard 120 schlemiels. If your player isn't schlemiel-friendly, you may never get to see the video. However, keep reading -- I have two suggestions to help solve your problems.
Make That Video Play
One quick solution is to download the free VLC media player, and use that instead of the default Windows media player. VLC comes with all the codecs for every media format built in. If you're a Linux or Mac fan, you'll be happy to know VLC is cross-platform. You can download a copy from the VideoLAN site. (Sure, I know, there are dozens of players out and about, but I like VLC because it's clean, quick, unencumbered, and works without much heavy lifting.)
Now if you're happy using whichever media player you're already using, I have a nifty freebie -- a stack of codecs from the Codec Guide site. The most current version of K-Lite Codec Pack is 4.2.5 and the package includes its own player, Media Player Classic. I find it's a handy player to have around: It will play videos I absolutely can't get to work in Windows Media Player, even with all the extra codecs.
K-Lite comes in five models, from a basic version to one with the kitchen sink. The full version, sort of in the middle, is good for most of you; if you're unhappy with Real's player, choose the mega version which comes with the Real Alternative player. Browse through the comparison chart to choose one and click the blue hyperlink on the chart to download it.
Keep an Eye Out
I have a couple of K-Lite installation tips. During installation, select "decode only" (that should be in the first screen) and make sure to select the Indeo driver to get this obscure, but important codec. On the installation routine's Select Components dialog box, uncheck Player in the first dialog box if you want to continue using your current video player.
If K-Lite changes any of your existing video file associations, say, switching playing sound files to its player, you can fix it: From Windows Explorer, select Tools, Folder Options, File Types, and change the file association to the app it was originally assigned to.
BTW, the K-Lite installation removes old and outdated codecs, installs newer ones, and leaves any existing and standard codecs on your PC untouched.
Important codec warning: Many viruses and Trojans masquerade as codecs. Never install or download a codec unless your video player suggests it or the codec is recommended by a trusted source, such as a computing magazine or a famous author. Read Alex Eckelberry's Nasty new Trojan changes router settings to get a sense of how this happens. (Alex's security blog is good reading.)
Time Wasters
A smart horse, a trip through the universe, dopey warnings, and a great stamp?
You think you have a smart horse? (That's a rhetorical question; no need to answer.) Patches the Horse is both entertaining and intelligent. This is on my list of top ten best animal videos. BTW, don't believe the rumor that Patches is computer generated.
Okay, shut the door in your office and take a few minutes with the "Powers of Ten." You'll see an absorbing view of the Milky Way at 10 million light years from the Earth. As the screen continues loading, you'll see dazzling images, things to make you ooh and ahh. (If the Java thing doesn't work, don't worry. I'll have a solution in an upcoming newsletter.)
When you're done with the Powers of Ten site, watch a very cool YouTube rendition of Powers of Ten.
My friend Tom Lenzo found this on One Sentence: "My 8-year-old sister proudly declared that she knows that 'WTF' means 'Wow, That's Funny'." Nope, the kid's got it all wrong. It's what you say when you get your financial statement.
Also ideal for pink slips and
IRS audit subpoenas
Most of us need useful instructions (it's at the bottom of page 2) when installing an outdoor antenna and Stan Sieger spotted this beauty.
Holy Mackerel!
PC World is still issuing pink slips. Stuart Johnson's very popular Bugs and Fixes column is on its way out. And Tom Mainelli's GeekTech is toast, too. What's next, trading in their PCs for Commodore 64s?
What I'm Reading
Ron Suskind's "The Way of the World: A Story of Truth and Hope in an Age of Extremism." Politics, revelations, accusations; non-fiction that reads like a novel. It had me riveted, concerned, annoyed, and angry throughout. Get it at the library or on Amazon.
Damn Interesting. Well written, in-depth, and non-technological blogs with enough meat to keep me, well, interested. The latest posting is, I swear, a coincidence.
Housekeeping (and Tsuris) at TechBite
1. Some of you haven't received a newsletter for two. I didn't get them either. It's the pain of having a new kid that doesn't act quite the way you'd expect: The program we first used to send the newsletter made me start cocktail hour, well, hours early. (It was probably developed by a Mac guy.) Things are improving, but expect more TechBite snafus. And probably fubars.
2. If you have a chance, sign up for my stevebass YahooGroup. Until I get the blog cooking on the site, I need a way to quickly pop a message your way -- things that can't wait for the weekly newsletter. I don't send missives often, but if you're worried about being overloaded, once you're subscribed, you can change your delivery settings to digest.
3. I decided to bunch all the time wasters in one spot. That'll make it easier for those of you who just want to, uh, waste some time.
4. I was on Twit.TV with Leo Laporte a few Sundays ago. I don't know if you heard, but Leo's vying for the new White House position of Chief Technology Officer. (I think he'll need a new fez.) Listen to the show if you dare. In other news, Dan Hansen also interviewed me last week and you can listen to the podcast at GreatLakesGeek.
Leo Leporte in his famous fez
