Can't open wmv file for mac

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Scott O'Brien - 18 Jan 2006 21:37 GMT

Hi I've download large wmv files (100-300 MB) from the web. But says it
can't read the file, it's incorrect. I've tried using 3ivx, divx doctor and
flip4mac. I tried changing my preferances for doctor to read all files and
it still won't work. Is windows just good for watching movie off the web for
mac? Am I out of luck?

Can you PLEASE help me out, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

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Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media] - 18 Jan 2006 22:34 GMT

>Hi I've download large wmv files (100-300 MB) from the web. But says it
>can't read the file, it's incorrect. I've tried using 3ivx, divx doctor and

DivX / 3ivx won't work for correcting WMV files as they're different
file types.

>flip4mac. I tried changing my preferances for doctor to read all files and
>it still won't work. Is windows just good for watching movie off the web for
>mac? Am I out of luck?
>
>Can you PLEASE help me out, I would greatly appreciate it.

Could be the file download was damaged in some way (which is a pain
with 300MB !) It's possible using QT and Flip to "Save as MOV", which
might correct the file if it's been truncated (cut short).

Other than that, dunno, maybe your only option is to download it again

Cheers - Neil

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Scott O''Brien - 18 Jan 2006 23:25 GMT

The files are broadband high-def. What does that mean? The files are fine,
not damaged. I used flip4mac and it still doesn't read the file. I don't
just don't Know?

scott

> >Hi I've download large wmv files (100-300 MB) from the web. But says it
> >can't read the file, it's incorrect. I've tried using 3ivx, divx doctor and
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Cheers - Neil

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Katua - 19 Jan 2006 10:48 GMT

I've just been advised that Flip4mac isn't working with the latest version of
Quicktime. This could take at least a month to sort out apparently, maybe
longer. Is your WMP for mac still working? As soon as Microsoft and websites
upgrade to a new version, it won't.

> The files are broadband high-def. What does that mean? The files are fine,
> not damaged. I used flip4mac and it still doesn't read the file. I don't
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> >
> > Cheers - Neil

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Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media] - 19 Jan 2006 12:16 GMT

>I've just been advised that Flip4mac isn't working with the latest version of

Your advice was mistaken. 7.0.4 is the lateset QT version. Get the
2.0.1 version of Flip4Mac after seeing these pages for details of the
problem :

http://www.flip4mac.com/fusetalk/forum/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=832&en
terthread=y
then (resolved) http://www.flip4mac.com/faqs_wmv.htm#1 and
http://www.flip4mac.com/knowledge/kb_0053.htm

I'd say that was a pretty quick problem turnaround time ;-)

>Quicktime. This could take at least a month to sort out apparently, maybe
>longer. Is your WMP for mac still working? As soon as Microsoft and websites
>upgrade to a new version, it won't.

That's not true. Support of WMV and WMA by Flip provides a wider range
of codecs than installed on the current WMP9/Mac. Sites don't "upgrade
to a new version" of the player, they use newer codecs in their
content encoders - think WMV9 instead of WMV7.

I'd expect with ongoing Flip improvements, even the newest unannounced
codecs will be supported for playback in Quicktime.

>> The files are broadband high-def. What does that mean? The files are fine,
>> not damaged. I used flip4mac and it still doesn't read the file. I don't
>> just don't Know?

To the OP :

For current codec support, see here :
http://www.flip4mac.com/knowledge/kb_0012.htm

If the files are "high def" files, it means they have a resolution far
higher than a standard NTSC or PAL TV : 1080 lines vertically is
common for high def video. This page lists the required level of
processing power to play them back.

http://www.flip4mac.com/knowledge/kb_0048.htm

At the bottom are some content links to the MS HD showcase
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/ContentShowcase.asp but the link
is wrong (I've mailed a change request) - it should go to this page :
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/film/ContentShowc
ase.aspx

Download say, the Titanic trailer clips (probably play online is a bad
idea due to their high bitrate ;-) it's one of the smaller ones, 60MB.
Can you try out some of those videos and let us know if it "works" ?

Those are WMV high def or HD video. Probably I don't know *what*
you've got but I suspect it ain't one of those.

HTH
Cheers - Neil

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Colin - 19 Jan 2006 12:55 GMT

[...]

> At the bottom are some content links to the MS HD showcase
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/ContentShowcase.asp but the link
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> idea due to their high bitrate ;-) it's one of the smaller ones, 60MB.
> Can you try out some of those videos and let us know if it "works" ?

The page says the Titanic clip uses DRM, and Flip4Mac doesn't support DRM yet:
http://www.flip4mac.com/knowledge/kb_0056.htm says:
"We are hoping to be able to work with Microsoft to support DRM, but it is currently not available.
We’ll keep trying and will let you know!"
[...]

To get my purchased (DRMed) music into my ipod I have to burn a CD on a real PC and import the CD
with iTunes,
since …
* VPC doesn't support burning, and
* mediaplayer on VPC doesn't see a virtual CD (vdubs from www.farstone.com)
* vdubs can't decode DRMed files.

Colin

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Scott O''Brien - 19 Jan 2006 20:29 GMT

Hi Neil, they say that HD clips are for windows. I have a mac. Every time I
try to play them they say that the file name is incorrect. It won't let me
play it. I can stream with Interent E but not download.

Please help

> >I've just been advised that Flip4mac isn't working with the latest version of
>
[quoted text clipped - 50 lines]
> HTH
> Cheers - Neil

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Mac Forum / Applications / Media Player / January 2006

Can't open wmv file for mac