Curiously I suffered the same problem today as a fellow Twitter user was having yesterday. I retweeted his request for help and was pleased to be able to forward some advice from my network to help him. Today I was able to put some of that collective wisdom to good use, when I had the very same problem of not being able to play an avi file created by our Flip Cameras.
It is a long standing problem and I have seen it mentioned many times previously – basically Windows Media Player lacks the video codec to unscramble the coded Flip films, all we got when we played them was the audio.
I knew that the actual camera bundles with software (which I generally bypass) and so must also include said codec. I found the file I needed in the System, Install folder on the camera named: “Windows 3ivx Installer” (there is a Mac version and a Leopard compatibility file too) After running this installer, which takes literally 10 seconds to complete (with no restart required), the files were viewable and Movie Maker could also import them correctly.
I solved this with about 5 minutes to spare before the children were to come in and make some recount films of our trip to an outdoor centre yesterday. I copied the file to a network folder and then accessed it on each of our class laptops – I roped in a few boys, who with an enthusiastic “We love doing installs!” helped to update the machines before the afternoon began. With the codecs back in balance the children got busy creating their films.
If you run into the same problem with your own Flip Camera I hope this helps you out – if not you could always tweet about it and I am sure people will be able to offer some advice.
I once had a flip video camera and downloaded them on my acer laptop. The videos played fine. I sold my flip and cleaned up my computer due to viruses. Now when I try to play my videos I can hear the sound but no video. Will I be able to do this above to see my videos or do I have to have the flip video camera to do so?
Where is a safe place o download format factory?
I’d been using my Flip AVI files for a couple years with no problem, but I upgraded Sony Vegas Movie Studio, which I use for all my video, to version 11, and it won’t open those files now. The Flip may have also been upgraded, not sure. But Vegas will open every other AVI file from every other source I’ve found, no problem. I tried 3ivx as you suggested and yes it worked great, thank you, the AVIs opened in Vegas. But it only lasted a few weeks and now it says the trial has expired and I have to pay for it. Thinking about buying a new camera instead.
is this safe?
Nice. Saved my son’s project. Thanks
my problem has nit been playing the flip video files, but editing them. I have the CCCP codec pack installed on Win7 and media players plays just about anything I throw at it. Problem for me was editing in windows live moviemaker. To enable this I okay the flip video in picasa and the export it. it saves as wmv file and edits sweetly in moviemaker.
my personal camera is already set to avi, which is perfect; however, our dept has just purchased a dozen or so and who knows what they’ll be set at, so thanks in advance!
Hi Tom, this is welcome news, but, on our Flip video cameras, the default video format is .MP4, which, according to this Microsoft KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308464 is not supported in Movie Maker. So, even if the codec installer lets it play on a PC, you still have to convert it using a third party program (we use and love Format Factory for that purpose). Unless I am missing something…?
Keep up the great work,
Kevin Jarrett
Northfield, NJ USA
Twitter: @kjarrett
Doesn't VLC play pretty much anything you throw at it without problems? It comes with all the codecs I can think of!
Doesn't VLC play pretty much anything you throw at it without problems? It comes with all the codecs I can think of!
We've had this problem when schools have submitted flip-video's as part of their Primary Geography Quality Mark submission. The videos play on computers where the Flip Video software is installed but not when it isn't. I've not looked again before typing this but I think there is a way of exporting the video (using the Flip software) that ensures it will play using Windows Media Player. I did the same as you – tried to play the videos without using the Flip software on my work laptop and hit problems.
Thank you so much. I have been annoyed about this, just not annoyed to research a solution. Thanks for delivering it to me.
VLC also plays the videos from my Flip. If you are locked out of administrator mode or can’t install software you can run the version of VLC on a flashdriver from Portableapps.com – could be a lifesaver if your lesson depends on the video!
Yay Tom! I think this is the solution to the problem we are having at our school with flips. I know it will help me, but transferring this info to all of our students who will be using the flips is another matter. I may have to approach our IT staff and see if there is a way of providing an update for student computers.
Everyone-
Glad to see the problem you were having was resolved! If you should run into any other codec issues in the future, here’s a simple solution: instead of just randomly downloading codec packs with the hope that one of them works, I’d recommend downloading a codec tool that will analyze your particular video file and tell you exactly what codec(s) you’ll need to play the files.
Here are a couple of free tools that will do this for you: Gspot (http://www.headbands.com/gspot/) and Sherlock (http://www.updatexp.com/sherlock-codec-detective.html) Both of these work great, and using these on your file will tell you what codecs you need to get a file running properly, without making you download anything that you don’t need.
I hope you find this info useful in the future!
Thanks,
Cody
Windows Media Outreach Team
I do not have a Flip but I have used the codec you mention. The problem I had is that the codec appears to be a trial version which expires after 30 days or 50 uses. You then have to pay to install the full version. The hyperlink you give is to the trial version. I’d suggest that you check that the version you’ve installed is a trial or not.
@deerwood
I had the same problem with a Creative Labs Vado pocket cam. Fortunately gave an error message to download codec and gave link to the site. Also there is an option in Windows Media Player to ‘automatically download codecs’ – think it was in ‘More options’. Problem with our network was that it needed administrator rights so not something the students could do.
Tom,
I had the same problem last year along with posting those files successfully on a wiki at wikispaces. Thanks for posting your solution. I wound up using a video converter to convert the files to something more compatible like mov or wmv. Your solution sounds like less work in the long run.
I borrowed a flipcam to test out on school computers before buying one (from @digitalmaverick on twitter) – the software wouldn’t work on the system and the files wouldn’t play on media player because of codecs. It was an old original flipcam and I hope I can get one of the newer ones to work on the school system.
This problem has been a thorn in my side since I got my Flip. I was in on the tweets (I’m @beckyingj) and now my problem is solved! Thank you so much, Tom and the Twitterverse!
This is very useful.
I have used other Codecs for the avi files from my Flip but I guess I didn’t know it came with them in a folder (umm .. I guess I should read instructions?)
Thanks
Kevin