Windows Media Player says Invalid Format

[Allan]

I get an invalid format when playing back the .wmv file that it creats for recording. I also get the same thing with their Welcome to SnapStream PVS in Watch. I installed everything that was asked, it suggested to install codec, which I allowed it. Any other ideas?

[rakeshagrawal]

what player is spawned when you click to watch the video? possibly, you have the wrong video player associated with wmv/asf files.

another question: are you able to stream wmv files from places on the web?

[Allan]

Microsoft Windows Media Player is opening them.

I don't see how to stream them off the site, how to do that?

[tjkraz]

What version of Windows Media Player are you running? The latest is version 7.1. If you don't have the latest version, download it from the Microsoft web site or via Windows Update.

If you do have v7.1, it sounds like another program has somehow taken control of files with a WMV extension. The easiest solution would be to uninstall v7.1 and do a clean reinstall.

[Allan]

I was using 6.4. Now installed 7.1 from Windows Update. I can watch the Welcome to SnapStream .asf now, however the previously recorded show .wmv still does not play. When Media Player starts it shows Playing: 709 bits/second then it shows Stopped.

I could not record shows anymore since I upgraded to 7.1. I re-installed SnapStream, rebooted and still cannot record shows anymore.
If I want to record now, then goto List Recordings I get Repeat Invalid then select the item and I will get Error! The job ID could not be found.
I will get simular results when recording using New recording schedular.

When using the Hardware wizard it did not properly initialize my audio. I had to start the ATI Multimedia TV first, then exit that, then back to hardware wizard to Test the audio. I have a ATI TV Wonder card, and I noticed that there was a supposed fix for BT8x8 audio for my card in this 1.5 version in the release notes of SnapStream, however I don't know what a BT8x8 based is and I don't know what based I have. and the Link in the release notes showing http://www.snapstream.com/atifix
is broken.

[tjkraz]

Well, I can't really help you with your ATI problem. But I am curious about one thing. Your initial posting said that the WMP wouldn't play your recording file. Had you EVER been able to properly play a file? Given your description of what's happened after upgrading to WMP 7.1, I'm thinking that your entire problem is that SnapStream has yet to create a valid recording.

Here are a couple of things to consider while you're waiting for follow-up from Snapstream.

1. Check with the ATI web site and make sure you have the most recent drivers for your capture card.

2. Make sure you have the most recent version of Microsoft Internet Explorer installed. The current version is 6.0.

If you need to upgrade either of these items, I would suggest this strategy:

1. Uninstall SnapStream.
2. Upgrade drivers and/or Internet Explorer.
3. Reinstall SnapStream and run the Hardware Wizard.

Hope this helps.

[Allan]

I have been able to play media files before my snapstream days.

Yes, now that I upgraded to WMP 7.1 I have not been able to have a sucessful SnapStream recording.

I don't think installing IE 6.0 will be any better then 5.5. If I cannot record anything with 7.1 then if I goto 6.0, then nothing will work. Also SnapStream does not specify versions of WMP or IE on their System Requiements section, so what ever version comes on 98/ME/2000 as default is assumed to be good enough.

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by Allan:
I have been able to play media files before my snapstream days.

I was more interested in finding out if you've been able to play a file created with SnapStream or not. There shouldn't be anything wrong with your Media Player--but I don't think that SnapStream has ever been properly configured to record on your system.

I would still recommend checking the drivers for your capture card, then perform an uninstall and a reinstall. I had one minor problem when I first installed v2.0, and a reinstall fixed that on my end.

[Allan]

I have not been able to play SnapStream files with WMP 6.4.

What is version 2.0? For ATI? I have unintalled and reinstalled that too, and the other TV software works ok with it.

[patrick]

Do you have DirectX 8.1? here is the link if you need to download it. http://www.microsoft.com/directx/
Also are using WDM or VFW drivers?
would be nice to know your system specs as well( OS too please)


sincerely,
Patrick

[Allan]

I already have DirectX 8.1. I think I am using WDM Drivers, how to know for sure?. I am running Windows 2000 Professional with Servicepack 2 and all critical updates on Windows Update.