Transfered .tivo files play scrunched up in WMP

[nethead24]

I've had this problem since I transfered my very first .tivo file to my PC. I have my recording quality set to 'Basic' on the DVR. When I play the files in WMP 11, the file appears horizontally scrunched (tall as opposed to wide). After trying many codec packs which didn't solve the problem, I tried the Shareware version of Elecard MPEG player and it played just fine in that - which leads me to think that I have a bum MPEG-2 codec (that's wrestling to take control over a better suited MPEG-2 codec) and badly rendering the file.

The question is - how do I figure out which codec is actually rendering the file and what can I do to make sure the file plays properly in WMV. I somehow need to remove or disable that codec and let the one underneath it take over. Elecard has its own built in decoder so thaat's why it shows up ok on that.

I am going to try Video Inspector - just read about it here.

[richsadams]

Welcome to the forum. :up:

It's almost certainly a codec issue. I've found that codecs are often corrupted when you install or update various programs including WMP, Nero, etc., when there are sun spots or the planets are aligned. ;) There are a couple of things you can try.

The first would be to download and install Cole2k Media - Codec Pack (http://www.cole2k.net/?display=Codec-Pack-Standard) It has a compatible MPEG-2 codec in it.

Another is to completely uninstall and reinstall TiVo Desktop including everything in the cache. (C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\TiVo Desktop\Cache)

If none of that works you can try using a program called GSpot (http://www.headbands.com/gspot/) which is a codec appliance. It can tell you which codec is required to run a particular file and if you have it or not.

As a last resort you can also try uninstalling and reinstalling WMP.

Set your System Restore each time you add/remove programs to be safe.

This topic is one that's discussed on many threads in the TiVo Home Media Features & TiVoToGo forum (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=35).

Don't give up...I've run into the exact same issue and was able to resolve it with one of those suggestions. Perhaps others can chime in as well.

[classicsat]

MPEG2 codecs legally need paid for, which is probably why you are finding free codecs that are bum.