WMP Codec Problem

Windows 8 Black Screen on Videos

Hello everyone,

Been using sevenforums for years and I can only say I feel safer knowing that eightforums is here too.
I didn't know where to post this thread as I expected some kind of media board, so I'll just do it here and feel free to move it to the appropriate place.

I recently installed the Windows 8 Enterprise Evaluation. As a matter of fact, I still got 86 days left.
I can't remember what I did exactly right after I was presented with the new start menu and all, I remember I was excited. One of the first things I did was to install the K-Lite Codec Pack. I expected everything to be fine, my Media Player Classic worked as it was supposed to (although I had to configure it a bit). However, I tried Windows Media Player too but I got a black screen in every video I tried. I really came to like WMP recently and I need it functional at all costs. So I removed all the codecs, installed a different one, Shark007's this time, as I was advised that it's better. Still nothing. I like VLC but I hate having to start it up and be forced to play my videos there. I need my WMP back.

I have considered resetting my windows to factory settings but I'm too reluctant. I'm using my Windows Live ID as a user, will my apps and settings return once I reconnect? Would it worth a try?

I have updated my GPU drivers to the latest version possible, I haven't touched anything audio related since WMP plays audio fine but not video.

I am looking forward to any replies that can help solving this problem.

Thank you for your time.

Uninstall any codec pack you have, then try to play a generic movie file. Tell me if it can play. If it can't then the problem is not with the codec packs, but with something else.

eXcite said:

Uninstall any codec pack you have, then try to play a generic movie file. Tell me if it can play. If it can't then the problem is not with the codec packs, but with something else.

Click to expand...

I haven't tried this yet but I noticed something interesting. While applied Office 365 Consumer Preview, the installer was supposed to show me an introduction video. However, I also got a black screen there, in the set-up window. So I guess the problem is that my Windows are not recognizing the codecs or not even seeing them at all? I also had to configure all my 3 browsers to be able to watch anything online.

By generic, you mean MP4, AVI, WMV? I tried MP4 and AVI with no luck when I had no codec packs at all.

Yes, MP4, AVI, WMV. Try those without codec packs and see if they play.
On a side note, I have heard that some of the TechNet/MSDN ISOs are messed up. I don't know if that had anything to do with this, but videos are working fine on my computer.

eXcite said:

Yes, MP4, AVI, WMV. Try those without codec packs and see if they play.
On a side note, I have heard that some of the TechNet/MSDN ISOs are messed up. I don't know if that had anything to do with this, but videos are working fine on my computer.

Click to expand...

That's the ISO file I downloaded.

HRM_CENA_X64FREE_EN-US_DV5

I'll try a WMV file (it's the only one I haven't tried) and update my post shortly.

Thanks.

I removed any codec packs and tried again with any generic files, this time including WMV.
A friend of mine gave me the link to this ISO as he downloaded it himself and it was working properly. Can you confirm it's alright?
I'm also using a Sony Vaio. I appreciate the help and thank you for your time.

Sorry for double posting.

No problem. The problem is I have the leaked version of Enterprise, not the 90-day trial. I thought of something, do all your drivers support Windows 8? I have a problem where the video card drivers are installed, but Minecraft crashes because it says my drivers are bad. The drivers don't have full support for Windows 8.

eXcite said:

No problem. The problem is I have the leaked version of Enterprise, not the 90-day trial. I thought of something, do all your drivers support Windows 8? I have a problem where the video card drivers are installed, but Minecraft crashes because it says my drivers are bad. The drivers don't have full support for Windows 8.

Click to expand...

I just reformatted, I couldn't take it. And well, no progress. I was missing a few undetermined drivers but I had the GPU ones up to date. Well, at least that's what they say. I'm hating my laptop right now. Do you think you could PM me the link of your Windows version? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

Of course! I'll PM it to you now. It is a torrent though. Also:
- It has 1000 rearms, with 180 days each.
- A watermark pops up after 2 hours, restart explorer to fix that

eXcite said:

Of course! I'll PM it to you now. It is a torrent though. Also:
- It has 1000 rearms, with 180 days each.
- A watermark pops up after 2 hours, restart explorer to fix that

Click to expand...

PM received, I'll be burning it and formatting once I get it. I am grateful.

Other than that, I'd really like to know if there's anyone else with such an issue. Or more suggestions on it. Thank you.

No prob.

Wael90 said:

I have considered resetting my windows to factory settings but I'm too reluctant. I'm using my Windows Live ID as a user, will my apps and settings return once I reconnect? Would it worth a try?

Click to expand...

I haven't done a Reset but I formatted my RP to install RTM PRO and the Apps that I re-installed that I used on RP were already configured when I launched them. As an example I'm using MetroTwit and when I installed it fresh on RTM it already had my Twitter account setup on it.

As for codecs were the Packs you installed specific to Windows 8? I haven't installed codecs on my RTM yet but I did back on CP and it worked fine then. I'll try installing a codec pack and see what happens, my WMV works but I need something for MKV anyways.

BTW...PowerDVD is supposed to be releasing an App that will provide codecs for various formats that can be played within Metro, if you were looking for a Metro App that is. I can't imagine they would not install codecs for desktop at the same time but who knows. Not sure of when the release will be.


EDIT: Installed Sharks Codecs for Win8 (win8codecs_v118) and everything is working normally.

R0bR said:

Wael90 said:

I have considered resetting my windows to factory settings but I'm too reluctant. I'm using my Windows Live ID as a user, will my apps and settings return once I reconnect? Would it worth a try?

Click to expand...

I haven't done a Reset but I formatted my RP to install RTM PRO and the Apps that I re-installed that I used on RP were already configured when I launched them. As an example I'm using MetroTwit and when I installed it fresh on RTM it already had my Twitter account setup on it.

As for codecs were the Packs you installed specific to Windows 8? I haven't installed codecs on my RTM yet but I did back on CP and it worked fine then. I'll try installing a codec pack and see what happens, my WMV works but I need something for MKV anyways.

BTW...PowerDVD is supposed to be releasing an App that will provide codecs for various formats that can be played within Metro, if you were looking for a Metro App that is. I can't imagine they would not install codecs for desktop at the same time but who knows. Not sure of when the release will be.


EDIT: Installed Sharks Codecs for Win8 (win8codecs_v118) and everything is working normally.

Click to expand...

I'm positive that I've done everything right. I installed the same codec pack with you since the beginning. The problem is within my installation. I noticed last night that my device manager is labeling my chipset as an 'unknown device'. I did install my chipset's driver in compatibility mode but I suppose it didn't do the work. Maybe the problem is focused there. Here's a screenshot of my device manager list and the problem.





Right now I'm using MPC Home Cinema without any problems. I still want to fix my Windows and my WMP though.

As for PowerDVD, I heard they're only going to release a Windows 8 update when Windows 8 goes out on market. So I guess not sooner than Oct 26th.

Thanks for your time.

Uninstall all previous codecs and codec packs you had manually installed.

Then, install ffdshow:

Codecs.com | Download FFDShow MPEG-4 Video Decoder 2012-08-22 and FFDShow MPEG-4 Video Decoder 2012-08-22 x64

BUMP, the problem is still there even after formatting or trying different OS versions.

I determined however that WMP is not the problem. It's the whole OS that bugs. I get no video on Zune, WMP, Video App and there are serious compatibility issues, even some game apps I downloaded from the Windows Store, Adera for example, give me a black screen with audio when they need to play a video. I'm kinda desperate since I'm the only one I know with that problem.

My laptop is a Sony Vaio VPCEB4M1E.

Thanks.

BUMP, still no solution here.

Wael90 said:

eXcite said:

Yes, MP4, AVI, WMV. Try those without codec packs and see if they play.
On a side note, I have heard that some of the TechNet/MSDN ISOs are messed up. I don't know if that had anything to do with this, but videos are working fine on my computer.

Click to expand...

That's the ISO file I downloaded.

HRM_CENA_X64FREE_EN-US_DV5

I'll try a WMV file (it's the only one I haven't tried) and update my post shortly.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

ISO ? Sounds like you may be trying to play a DVD or a BluRay disc, in which case WMP will fail, both on Ent and Pro versions of Windows.

WMC now handles all disc playback, regardless if it's ISO or a real optical media. You need a WMC key to get that and even after you get it, according to Microsoft's blog, no WMP will still be unable to play those things for the sake of simplicity and licensing issues MS have with these codecs.

Your best bet would be PowerDVD 8 or 9, as according to Microsoft's Software Compatibility list, these two are rated as "fully compatible". Version 12 is not really compatible according to voters.

Dellius said:

Wael90 said:

eXcite said:

Yes, MP4, AVI, WMV. Try those without codec packs and see if they play.
On a side note, I have heard that some of the TechNet/MSDN ISOs are messed up. I don't know if that had anything to do with this, but videos are working fine on my computer.

Click to expand...

That's the ISO file I downloaded.

HRM_CENA_X64FREE_EN-US_DV5

I'll try a WMV file (it's the only one I haven't tried) and update my post shortly.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

ISO ? Sounds like you may be trying to play a DVD or a BluRay disc, in which case WMP will fail, both on Ent and Pro versions of Windows.

WMC now handles all disc playback, regardless if it's ISO or a real optical media. You need a WMC key to get that and even after you get it, according to Microsoft's blog, no WMP will still be unable to play those things for the sake of simplicity and licensing issues MS have with these codecs.

Your best bet would be PowerDVD 8 or 9, as according to Microsoft's Software Compatibility list, these two are rated as "fully compatible". Version 12 is not really compatible according to voters.

Click to expand...

You have my respect but please read my last few posts.. It's not a codec thing.. Or maybe it is.. But it's a totally weird and different scenario. My windows do not support video playing on any native application or program that embeds/plays them