Windows Media Player

Question

Level 1

4 points

Windows Media Player

I do knot know if there is another forum.thread for htis topic or not. If so, feel free to direct me to it.

Here's my deal, I downloaded 2 videos (short ones) but they are WMP format. when I double click them, it gives me the following message:

"cannot open the file. verify that the path and filename are correct adn try again"

Is this a problem with the download? Or is it a WMP roblem? I have other videos that run on WMP.

Thanks for any and all help and suggestions.

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Mar 28, 2006 3:39 PM

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Answer 1

dagored

Level 1

105 points

Mar 28, 2006 4:35 PM in response to David Kober

First, you do not say if you have WMP, if you do not, download it and install. If you do have it, sometime files get confused.

You can either open WMP first and then open the file, or drop it on to the WMP icon, or you can Get Info and select open with. . . and then in the dialogue box, select WMP.

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Answer 2

Mar 28, 2006 4:45 PM in response to David Kober

If you don't have WMP, don't bother. Microsoft doesn't even have it on their site anymore to download.

You can use either the Flip4Mac plug-in for QuickTime, or get VLC instead.

That error is a WMP error. Try opening those files with VLC and it will most likely work fine.

I used to get that error message when trying to listen to the XM Radio stream. It turned out that the installation of WMP was to blame. I uninstalled WMP, cleared its prefs from the library and reinstalled it and had no problem streaming since. That is the only reason I still have WMP on my Mac at this point. I use VLC for all the WMP videos that I come by.

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Answer 3

David Kober Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 29, 2006 11:50 AM in response to Eric Kracinski

Yes I already have WMP. I thought that was obvious when I said that I can play other (WMP) files I have on it. I already have version 0.8.4 or VLC. I already tried opening that up for the WMV and it did give me a video screen, however, the video was scrambled or messed up. That may just be the WMV file and not VLC. When I try to open my other WMP videos on VLC, all I get is audio and no video. I already have other WMP files that work with my player, its just these 2 new ones I just got that don;t wrk. Maybe tey are bad, I don't know. Maybe WMP and Windows is just trash.

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Answer 4

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Mar 29, 2006 2:34 PM in response to Eric Kracinski

Microsoft doesn't even have it on their site anymore to download
Hmmmm?
Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS

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Answer 5

Mar 29, 2006 2:43 PM in response to Chris CA

That web page was redone recently & info added.

Important Information
Microsoft will continue to offer Windows Media Player for Mac as a download free of charge, but has no plans to provide future updates or product support.

2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Answer 6

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Mar 29, 2006 2:47 PM in response to Baby-Boomer-USofA

Didja notice this?
"With Windows Media® Components for QuickTime, by Flip4Mac™, you can play Windows Media files (.wma and .wmv) directly in QuickTime "

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/wmcomponents.mspx

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Answer 7

Mar 29, 2006 5:05 PM in response to David Kober

Hi David, I always had problems with Windows media player for Macs (CNN news would work less than 1/2 the time) Flip4Mac has worked flawlessly. Bob :~))

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Answer 8

Macsastic

Level 4

3,380 points

Mar 29, 2006 5:10 PM in response to David Kober

Yep, FlipForMac works for any problems with Windows media files.

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Answer 9

David Kober Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 29, 2006 8:11 PM in response to Macsastic

Ok--I got Flip4Mac. Its great!!! Thanks for the tip. I think the files are just corrupt that I am trying to open. The WMV works great for converting my windows media files to Quicktime.

Thanks again.

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Answer 10

Mar 30, 2006 8:44 AM in response to Chris CA

Yes I noticed that site.

I still much prefer WMP & VLC to Flip4Mac because I like the way they play my huge collection of music videos on full screen.

Certain files I have defaulted for Flip to open but mostly VLC or WMP still opens up my .wma & .wmv files.

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