VLC alternative...

[OldCorpse]

Mac newbie here... one week w/ iBook. Big problem... I can't play .wmv files... I was resisting downloading wmp, since I hate to have 50 different players for each separate file format... so, I downloaded VLC after seeing it praised here so often. OK, first thing i throw at it, a .wmv file and all I get is sound, no picture with the error message: "main: no suitable decoder module for fourcc `WMV3'. VLC probably does not support this sound or video format."

Well, that's just great... not. To me, VLC is a bust. Some mentioned MPlayer as playing more formats, but that VLC is "prettier". Is that so? If yes, then I'm getting MPlayer, since I'd rather have something that actually, you know, erm... plays stuff, instead of just sitting there looking pretty, but that's just me. If MPlayer does the job then I'm getting rid of the crap VLC... anybody know? TIA!

 

[vniow]

The latest version of VLC may be able to play that codec (its WMV9 I beleive) so make sure you have the lest first. The give Mplayer a try (hey, its free) and if not then try WMP. It by far has the best support for those types of files and its free too. If WMP can't play it then the file is likely corrupt.

Good luck,

-Ani

 

[mkrishnan]

Unfortunately, there are also some codecs that are used in WMV3 on WMP10 on PCs that do not play by any means on a Mac. I'm sorry if you were not able to find that piece of information out before you got a Mac, and if it makes a big difference to you.... There are some other threads here, in which you can search for more information. But AFAIK, none of the solutions -- VLC, MPlayer, the Core project, Flip4Mac, etc -- can overcome this. And neither can WMP9 for Mac.

 

[OldCorpse]

Unfortunately, there are also some codecs that are used in WMV3 on WMP10 on PCs that do not play by any means on a Mac. I'm sorry if you were not able to find that piece of information out before you got a Mac, and if it makes a big difference to you.... There are some other threads here, in which you can search for more information. But AFAIK, none of the solutions -- VLC, MPlayer, the Core project, Flip4Mac, etc -- can overcome this. And neither can WMP9 for Mac.

My decision to go Mac is not affected by the availability of software... I'm fully aware that there will be LOTS of software that is simply not available on Mac (and vice versa, lot of Mac software has no exact equivalent in the Windows world, I'm sure). So, I'm not complaining. I'm simply looking for solutions. If there is none, I'll just live with it... the pros of Mac so far outweigh the cons, it's not even a contest. I'm 100% determined to stick with the Mac platform, as long as Mr. Jobs is willing to keep developing it. Can you tell I'm turning into a total mac fanatic?

I think I do have the latest VLC, it's 0.8.4a... I'll give the MPlayer a try... can't hurt... Thank you everyone for your help!

 

[MisterMe]

Mac newbie here... one week w/ iBook. Big problem... I can't play .wmv files... I was resisting downloading wmp, since I hate to have 50 different players for each separate file format... so, I downloaded VLC after seeing it praised here so often. OK, first thing i throw at it, a .wmv file and all I get is sound, no picture with the error message: "main: no suitable decoder module for fourcc `WMV3'. VLC probably does not support this sound or video format."

Well, that's just great... not. To me, VLC is a bust. Some mentioned MPlayer as playing more formats, but that VLC is "prettier". Is that so? If yes, then I'm getting MPlayer, since I'd rather have something that actually, you know, erm... plays stuff, instead of just sitting there looking pretty, but that's just me. If MPlayer does the job then I'm getting rid of the crap VLC... anybody know? TIA!

To play WMV 9 content, you need Microsoft's free Windows Media Player 9 for the Mac or the fee-based Flip4Mac QuickTime codec. Nothing on the Mac plays WMV 10 content. The Windows port of VLC plays WMV 9 content because it accesses the WMV frameworks that are built into Windows.

 

[savar]

Mac newbie here... one week w/ iBook. Big problem... I can't play .wmv files... I was resisting downloading wmp, since I hate to have 50 different players for each separate file format... so, I downloaded VLC after seeing it praised here so often. OK, first thing i throw at it, a .wmv file and all I get is sound, no picture with the error message: "main: no suitable decoder module for fourcc `WMV3'. VLC probably does not support this sound or video format."

Well, that's just great... not. To me, VLC is a bust. Some mentioned MPlayer as playing more formats, but that VLC is "prettier". Is that so? If yes, then I'm getting MPlayer, since I'd rather have something that actually, you know, erm... plays stuff, instead of just sitting there looking pretty, but that's just me. If MPlayer does the job then I'm getting rid of the crap VLC... anybody know? TIA!

MPlayer can play a few files that VLC can't and vice-versa, you should just have both around in any case.

But a lot of the new WMV stuff getting coded doesn't have a codec on mac yet...even WMP for Mac can't play it. It's shameful on Microsoft's part.

 

[steelfist]

try xine player, and there are two kinds of mplayers. mplayer 1 and mplayer 2. i use one, because it's interface is a lot better IMO.