DVDs playing in incorrect aspect ratio in WMP11

[Ploper001]

Hi all,

This must've started less than a week ago because watching DVDs in WMP11 was fine then. But now, they are all stretched. No matter what the aspect ratio should be, it is always resized to 3:2 (i.e. 720x480 square pixels). Right-clicking on the chapter and pressing Properties gives little information - I have no idea what codec it is using at all. It just says, under ratio, "16:9 actual, 3:2 displayed". But why? This happens for all DVDs by the way (that worked fine before). Under "video codec" and "audio codec" there is nothing.

I can only assume some stupid codec has taken over from whatever I was using before (I use the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack) but I just reinstalled the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack and nothing changed. I have tried playing DVDs in Media Player Classic and they are the correct aspect ratio there (although the lip sync keeps changing so it's unwatchable still).

Is there any way I can find out what codec WMP11 is using or to change it? I tried setting the MPEG2 codec to "libmpeg2" in the ffdshow video options but, again, there is no change. Any ideas?

 

[Ploper001]

Well I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack a few times and now I can't get any picture at all from DVDs no matter what I set to be my MPEG2 decoder. :/

I think I need a codec killer or something but I can't find any.

 

[linney]

Have you tried using System Restore to go back in time
?

This is said to be suitable for XP (as well as Vista) and claims to remove other Codecs before an install?
Vista Codec Package 4.6.4 Final

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Vista_Codec_Package_d5326.html

Customising Vista Windows Media player
thread1583-1368536

 

[BadBigBen]

Run Sherlock the Codec detective, to check on the codecs that are broken...

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Sherlock_The_Codec_Detective.htm

the K-Lite Codec package is usually pretty safe, as it checks what codecs are damaged...

WMP usually uses FFDSHOW to handle the MP2 codec, and upon install will deregister any other MP2 codec... also there is an option that will download CODECs from the internet if checked...

also check the settings of WMP, on the TAB called Devices check the Monitor settings, there should be a a slider which controls the pixel setting of the display when it plays a movie...

how to (re)install Default Codecs in Windows XP/2000

http://www.free-codecs.com/guides/How_to_install_default_codecs_in_Windows_XP_2000.htm

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[Ploper001]

Well...I reformatted and reinstalled my Windows partition because of various other annoyances and the problem STILL exists. I don't get it. I did all the basic stuff (installed all drivers, updated to SP3, ran Microsoft Update, installed anti-virus, etc.) and then installed K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 4.00. DVDs are still shown at a 3:2 ratio.

also check the settings of WMP, on the TAB called Devices check the Monitor settings, there should be a a slider which controls the pixel setting of the display when it plays a movie...

I am aware of this setting but this is not the problem. As I said, it seems to be taking the pixels as square (720x480 = 3:2 and it says "4:3 actual, 3:2 displayed") when it should be adjusting the aspect ratio automatically. I might try to disable all ffdshow stuff whilst installing the codec pack and see what happens. :/

 

[linney]

These might sort out any problem caused by third party programs that you have installed again since reformatting.

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Perhaps you could also look at any third party drivers you are running since you first saw the problem.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

Setting the Bios to any Safe Defaults might be helpful? Is there any on-board video you can use while temporarily unplugging the connection to your current video card?

DirectX: Description of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;190900&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Maybe updating to the latest DirectX may help?

DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...38-DB71-4C1B-BC6A-9B6652CD92A3&displaylang=en

Are there any errors in the Event Viewer?

You can see if the Microsoft tool tells you anything?

Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...AC-0AB6-4990-943D-627E6ADE9FCB&displaylang=en

 

[Ploper001]

OK well I decided to try to install a different random free DVD codec before installing the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack and then unticking anything to do with MPEG2 in that. Now it works properly.

Maybe one of my codecs automatically updated itself (and was subsequently included in version 4 of the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack) and the new version is bugged? I really don't know, tis all a bit strange.

But yeah, with a new codec it seems fine now. Thanks for all of the suggestions guys!