How to identify missing codec?

[tamitru32]

I bought a new laptop and am trying to use TivoToGo. My previous one ran XP and also had WinDVD, playback was fine. My new one is running Vista 64-bit and has several ways to play DVDs but WinDVD isn't one of them. I looked at properties of the file during playback (or playfreeze) and no codecs are listed, so I assume that's the problem.

My question, is how do I identify which ones are needed? There are plenty out there, but I don't want to just start loading all kinds of stuff without knowing what is actually needed. I'm not getting an actual error message, it just doesn't play.

Thanks!

[mrmike]

I've always used GSpot (http://www.headbands.com/gspot/) to determine what codecs a media file requires.

[greg_burns]

A .tivo file requires a MPEG-2 codec. Apparently not all work the same though. (Some MPEG-2 codecs choke on certain Tivo resolution/bit rates.)

I don't know what to recommend for a Vista 64-bit install.

I've had lots of luck with InterVideo one bundled in the Cole2K.net pack. (it doesn't work on Vista 64-bit!)

[ThAbtO]

www.cole2k.net

[greg_burns]

www.cole2k.net

Not for Vista 64-bit thought :(

Microsoft Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP/MCE/.net/Vista (32-Bit ONLY)

[tamitru32]

Thanks for the responses. I'm wondering if I should try Desktop Plus.

[greg_burns]

Thanks for the responses. I'm wondering if I should try Desktop Plus.

Does that have support for Vista-64 bit? IDK myself.

[ThAbtO]

Thanks for the responses. I'm wondering if I should try Desktop Plus.

Don't think a codec is included.

[greg_burns]

Don't think a codec is included.

Actually, it is in the Plu$ version.

Don't know how it behaves on 64 bit though.