[MEncoder-users] Broken AVI files???

[Charles Wilcox]

I copied about 14 DVDs recently, and only two of them played by default.

Using your suggestion of binary alteration worked for one of the "sick" 
AVI files.

So, do the MPlayer developers know about this bug?  Is it 'mencoder' code, 
or 'xvid' code?

I guess I'm curious to know what the cause is, and if a permanent solution 
is in the works.  In the mean-time, I can binary-edit all my files 
appropriately.

  -- Charles Wilcox

On Mon, 7 Feb 2005, peter rosztoczy wrote:

> Disease:
> MEncoder Xvid codec trashes AVI header.
>
> Symptom:
> Xvid-MEncoder > (avi) > Windows::AviSplitter[quartz.dll] > CRASH!!!
>
> Symptoms as perceived:
> BSplayer: Unknown file format (XVID)
> GSpot: Failed to connect Output pin ... ConnectDirect() failed. There
> is no common media type between these pins.
> Media Player Classic: The following pin(s) failed to find a connectable filter:
> Avi Splitter::Stream 00
> Windows Media Player: Doesn't find an approprite codec, goes online,
> gives error.
> MPlayer.exe(win32): Plays it seamlessly.
>
> Reason:
> When you code to Xvid with MEncoder, in 70%+ of the cases a certain
> part of the avi header gets filled with memory-trash, allthough should
> be filled with zeros. At least windows's AviSplit filter (quartz.dll)
> gets distracted if otherwise.
>
> Cure:
> Load sick avi file into your favorite hexeditor, eg.: hexcurse and
> fill region 0x00C4 - 0x00D3 with 0x00. Save it. Enjoy playing it in Windows.
>
> The above procedure worked for me, though might not work for you.
> Whatever you do, do it at your own risk. I haven't read avi header
> documentation. I warned you. It just worked for me:).
>
> Greetz,
> Peter A. Rosztoczy
>
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