Decoder Error

Question

Ive just gotten my new hard drive in after the old one went bad, and reinstalled windows xp media center edition and I think all of the neccessary drivers. However, everytime I try to play a DVD in media center, it gives me a Video Decoder Error, and the utility says that I do not have an Mpeg-2 decoder on my computer. The only two disks I recieved via mail were the xp reinstall and the device drivers disk. Any help would be much appreciated.

Skybird · Answer

You need to have DVD Decoder software installed.  You likely had PowerDVD on your old drive.Install it on the new drive and all should be well.

Searchme2 · Answer

Hi Skybird,   I'm having the same problem after reinstalling XP Media Center Edition and I came accross this thread. You said to reinstall Power DVD but I do not have the disc. I though I had to reinstall Sonic but I do not have the disc. Did the Sonic application have the codecs or do I need to get Power DVD? I'm not even sure I had Power DVD. Where can I find the downloads for one or the other on Dell's download site. I have searched and searched with no luck. All I find are upgrades and patches, not the application itself. Do I need to contact Dell and get them to ship me a disc? I hope you're still watching this thread.   Thanks

davejohn · Answer

The Sonic MyDVD program will have the sonic encoders needed to brun a DVD from within MCE.   See here.   Some users report they have been succesful using the sonic encoder file downloaded from HP.  I haven't tried this.   Dave

Searchme2 · Answer

Thanks for the reply davejohn. I checked out the links you provided. I think that's the version of Sonic that was installed. Sonic MyDVD. That's the one I was looking for on Dell's downloads site but looks like they do not provide a download for it. Just upgrades and patches. Right after I reinstalled the OS I saw in Add/Remove programs that the sonic encoders were already installed. Plus two or three other things Dell includes on the install disc. That's one reason I reformatted was to get rid of the extras Dell installs. But it was not nearly as bad as before I reinstalled. I thought these are getting to be more and more like configuration discs. Anyway I reinstalled Sonic RecordNow from the disc that came with my other computer (this one is a replacement from Dell, the other one had XP home and was fried). I can burn to DVD's with this Sonic. I thought there may be an upgrade to download to convert Sonic RecordNow to MyDVD but no such luck. But I still can not play DVD movies in Media Center or Window Media Player or any other player without getting the error. I found a way to check what encoders are install by going to Start>Run and typing 'dvdupgrd /detect'. It said,   no decoders found W2k Upgrade=no Win9x Upgrade=no LCID =0409   Here's an update. I installed VLC Media Player (free) which comes with the codecs needed to play movies. However I still can not play movies in Media Center or any other player, just VLC which works just as good as Media Center for playing movies. So at least I am able to play movies again. So it looks like I need to contact Dell once again and get a Sonic MyDVD install disc. According to Skybird this will fix the problem of not being able to play movies in Media Center and other players. If you have any thoughts on this please let me know.   Thanks

Skybird · Answer

To play a DVD, a DVD Decoder is required. Dell has recently been installing PowerDVD.
WinDVD is another suitable DVD Decoder. Neither of these are free. If you are still
within the warranty, you can request the PowerDVD disc from Dell.

Searchme2 · Answer

OK thank you. I appreciate your input. I'll contact Dell since it is still under warranty.

ceng_xps400 · Answer

I am having this same Decoder Error message when I try to use the live tv function.  My hard drive crashed similar to the previous post and had to rebuild from the supplied resource cds. I do not have the Sonic Disc and my warranty has run out about a month ago.  How can I obtain this from Dell?

Searchme2 · Answer

Hi ceng, Don't bother with their phone support. I don't know if they've improved it or not. I haven't used it in some time. I always get a live chat session started with Dell when I need to contact them. Go to the address below and and go to Chat with technical support. http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/en/chat?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs I've found this is a much better than trying to understand their help in India on the phone. I have been disconnected in chat before and that can be a pain but usually it works OK. Keep track of the session ID #s. If you get disconnected and you reconnect give the ID# to the new person helping you so they can review what was said before. It beats retyping and explaining your problem twice. Plus they always email the entire chat sessions to you for your records. Message Edited by Searchme2 on 03-05-2007 12:22 AM Message Edited by Searchme2 on 03-05-2007 12:30 AM

Message Edited by Searchme2 on 03-05-2007 12:36 AM

ceng_xps400 · Answer

Searchme2 - thanks for the link and the tips. Unfortunately, I gave into downloading the trial version of intervideo WinDVD Gold 8.   I will probably just purchase this on-line after the trial period ends for about $40 b/c this solved the problem.  I was really annoyed the fact that the Sonic Product was loaded on my original PC, however was not given the discs....now that my warranty expired w/Dell on 1/30/07 am I am out of luck....as well as patience...Also, I am more annoyed that my hard drive crashed w/o notice.  It was working fine for about a year and then one day it completely siezed.  I did find a return code 6, which basically means your .   I had the Maxtor 160 SATA Diamond Max 10 and do not recommend it.  A year is much too soon for drive failure.

Storage, Drives & Media

Decoder Error

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