Basic Problem
I would attempt to play a movie in Windows Media Player (WMP) and only the audio was present. The system needed a new codec (compression, decompression) to play these off-shored backups
Solution
The full Microsoft Write-Up is here: Playing Video in WMP
It gives the skinny on the entire process. Here’s the synopsis:
1) Download GSpot codec information appliance, this software analyzes the file and gives reasons its not playing (codec, file corrupted, etc)
2) Assuming it’s the codec, FOURCC.com has a pretty robust list of codecs. Find the right codec, download it and install
3) Movies should start playing
Updated shortly after post
The above solution only helps those smart creatures running the 32 bit version of Vista. If by some chance, you chose Vista 64 bit then there’s one final step to get the movies to play in Windows Media Center (WMC).
You need the 64 bit codecs for WMC, which can be gotten from here. Install the codec package and all should be fine.
Why does part of Vista run 64 bit and the rest of Vista run 32 by default? Because, and I’m guessing here, the entire OS isn’t well thought out.
I’m starting to consider it a beta for Windows 7.
