MPEG2 Decoders 1

[LRSmith]

Hi all,

When I produce an MPEG-2 video from Premiere 6.5, I often have problems playing it on other computers that do not have Premiere installed. Typical software players are Windows Media Player or RealPlayer. Microsoft states their media player only supports MPEG-1, to play MPEG-2 requires third party decoder.

I have found third-party MPEG-2 players online, and they work. But I would prefer to find a codec that works with Media player or RealPlayer rather than install yet another media player. I have found a couple of other computers without Premiere yet can play the MPEG-2 videos fine in MediaPlayer or RealPlayer, so there must be a codec out there somewhere.

Anyone have any luck with this? Thanks!

PS---the tape problems from before I'm still working on---if I find the answer, I'll post it.

 

[WizyWyg]

Mpeg2 decoder/playback unfortunately requires you to pay for the ability to do so. Its one of those plug=ins that need to be bought. Those programs that allow you to play mpeg2 streams and are shareware had to pay thsoe who create the stream ( there is an authority that actually governs mpeg technology

http://www.mpeg.org/MPEG/MSSG/).

Or you have to buy a card (video card) that has the software included.

quicktime 6.0 is $19.99

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/products/mpeg2playback/

 

[cdogg]

Irsmith,
The "couple of computers" that you came across in the past that had the ability to play MPEG-2 with Media Player or RealPlayer, had to have the MPEG-2 codec installed by a 3rd-party application.

For example, if I was to install PowerDVD or WinDVD on a PC that didn't have the MPEG-2 codec, then Media Player would gain access to the codec and be able to play MPEG-2 video files. But if it wasn't for that install, Media Player would never have had the ability.

Could you possibly elaborate more about what you are trying to accomplish by using a universal codec? There's a possibility that encoding your video file in either MPEG-1 or AVI would be the better choice for compatibility.

~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind"
[tab][tab]- Aristotle

 

[LRSmith]

Wizywig and CDogg,

Thanks for your prompt replies. I had a notion what you have said was the answer, but had a ray of hope for an alternative.

It's not a question of format, MPEG-2 is what I need most of the time. It was more a question of available software that can play the MPEG-2 files. The people I demo videos for generally have MediaPlayer or RealPlayer. It would have been preferable if I could just update their software rather than carry a ditto disc (as I have been doing) with third party software. For the demos I only need MPEG-1 formats, but I don't have time for double renders, so I just stick with MPEG-2s.

Again, many thanks. It's been an annoyance for quite a while, but since I'm used to it already, no tears will be shed.