Breathless19

Join Date 08/2007

Dreamscapes 2.0 MPEG-2 Codec Error in Vista X64 Business

All Codecs work fine in other applications

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"The dream may contain an invalid video type or a compatible MPEG-2 Video Decoder may not be present."

I have a fresh install of Vista X64 Business SP1 in my machine (SP1 pre-slipstreamed). All stardock software in ObjectDesktop works perfectly except for Deskscapes MPEG-2 backrounds (THE WMV'S WORK). All other non relevant installed software works perfect as well, DVD's play great (read below), and everything is great.

Once I saw this error, I preceded to go the way of finding codecs. I first tryed Vista Codecs Pack (which includes MPEG-2). That didn't work, and some users suggested CCCP codecs pack (which also has MPEG-2). I uninstalled all Vista Codecs Pack codecs prior to installing CCCP by the way. I followed all instructions to a "T" with regards to installation of CCCP. Neither one remedied the issue even though they both contain the proper codec. Reading up on this link of the release of the Deskscapes Beta, some users said that if you purchased a program that included the codec, it remedied their issue (IE: Nero 8 Ultra, etc..).

https://forums.wincustomize.com/post.aspx?postid=172930&p=1

Therefore, I figured it should fix the problem if I purchased a great program that had every codec imaginable. I figured it was more worth my time to try and purchase my way out of the issue (silly me). I purchased Cyberlinks PowerDVD Ultra. It contains MANY codecs including MPEG-2 (don't worry, I got it cheaper than $99).

The problem is not remedied and I still have the same error message. I am a very experienced user, so all forms of uninstalling and registry cleaning are taken into account when I do my troubleshooting. (CCCP Insurgent was used to cleanup CCCP)

MY QUESTION IS THIS....

Is this a known issue to Stardocks support team that will be fixed in the upcoming release? I know that the current Deskscapes 2.0 is beta, so it may have bugs, but if they are unaware of this problem it wouldn't be fixed in the final release. I wanted to make it known and get any feedback.

Does anyone know anything I don't about how to troubleshoot this further?

ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE... Many times (but not all the time), when I first start up my system, the deskscape will load, start moving, then stop and not start moving again. It will just stay on the desktop as a regular backround would. When I right click on the desktop, the option for "Pause Deskscape" is there, so it must think its running. If I "Pause" it and "resume" it made no difference and was still frozen. If I go into my deskscape selection page and click on the Deskscape again, it will start working and be perfect until the next time I start my computer.

Thanks for the help

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ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

I use Vista Business and the CCCP codec pack and the DesScapes beta with no issues.

Sorry man . . I'm not sure this is a DS issue.

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Is your Vista X64?

Did you have to change any default option is CCCP or tweak any settings?

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ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

Is your Vista X64?

Ahh . . no . . I missed that. So sorry. Forget I said anything. (

As an aside . . I didn't touch any of the (what seemed like) thousands of settings.

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There in may lie the problem (X64). Do you have SP1 installed?

Thank you for your quick reply.

Anyone else have X64 Business/Premium and some feedback?

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ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

Where did you get your slipsrtreamed build? Do it yourself?

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I got it from a Torrent site. I did not do it myself, it would have taken too much time. Much easier to just google for it and download it

The whole download took about 2 hours for 3.6GB's.

It was not an illegal version by the way and still had to be activated.

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ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

You never know what may have gone on with that torrent.

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Oh trust me the torrent is good and is definitely not the reason for this particular issue. Many people have used it and it is definitely virus free. It is the one released to Microsoft Partners with it integrated.

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ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

It is the one released to Microsoft Partners with it integrated.

You are a partner?

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I'm running Vista Enterprise with SP1 integrated (legit, not from torrents, from the Volume Licensing program) and Dreamscapes beta with no problems, though my system is 32bit. I use the K-Lite Mega Codec package (K-Lite Link) and have no issues with any program requiring video.

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It is the one released to Microsoft Partners with it integrated.You are a partner?

Yes, I am. I became one a few weeks ago.

The Torrent that I downloaded is legit. Just because it was obtained through a torrent site does not make it not legit.

I think that it is the fact that I have X64. I hope Stardock is aware of this and fixes it before the big release of 2.0.

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I suspect the problem is you do not have a 64 bit decoder, just a 32 bit one. Chances are the Cyberlink app is 32 bit.

Deskscapes will show that message in response to a failure to display a video, so if you get the message either there is a problem with your decoder, or you have no suitable decoder. It does not look for anything it simply shows as a result of a failure.

Due to how 64 bit Windows works only 64 bit code can load into a 64 bit process which is why a 32 bit decoder is no use.

I seem to recall WMP is 32 bit on 64 bit XP due to the lack of 64 bit codecs.

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I suspect the problem is you do not have a 64 bit decoder, just a 32 bit one. Chances are the Cyberlink app is 32 bit.
Deskscapes will show that message in response to a failure to display a video, so if you get the message either there is a problem with your decoder, or you have no suitable decoder. It does not look for anything it simply shows as a result of a failure.
Due to how 64 bit Windows works only 64 bit code can load into a 64 bit process which is why a 32 bit decoder is no use.
I seem to recall WMP is 32 bit on 64 bit XP due to the lack of 64 bit codecs.

So therefore it is impossible to play MPEG-2 on 64-bit? Where can I find a free, or pay for 64-bit Mpeg-2 decoder.

I assume that Stardock has tested this and know of a suitable one that is tested and works on my platform?

If the above statement is true about how it needs a 64-bit codec, how come my other codecs work fine that are 32-bit? Its not as if Stardock is a native 64-bit program, so it too is 32-bit... (I am pretty sure).

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On 64 bit Vista Deskscapes is 64 bit.

Remember that WMV videos would work as Microsoft provide a 64 bit decoder for those.

The decoder which comes with Home Premium and Ultimate supports 64 bit, but Business edition does not include this decoder.

I am not sure if anyone has used a 3rd party decoder on 64 bit Vista during testing.

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I am not sure if anyone has used a 3rd party decoder on 64 bit Vista during testing.

Well can they?

I think that would be relevant for testing since many people now have 64-bit Vista.

There has to be some kind of 64-bit MPEG-2 available for purchase somewhere. If not the codec itself, I think that Stardock should provide information regarding the issue, and not just in this thread.

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ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

If not the codec itself, I think that Stardock should provide information regarding the issue, and not just in this thread.

Out of curiosity, why? Easier and better for them (so as not to be responsible) to say in the description of the app that users will need to provide their own codec.

I think that would be relevant for testing since many people now have 64-bit Vista.

DS runs on 64bit Vista with the MS codec . . . it will only be those users that choose not to use that codec (by buying a version without it) that might be affected.

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Out of curiosity, why? Easier and better for them (so as not to be responsible) to say in the description of the app that users will need to provide their own codec.[/quote]

[/quote]DS runs on 64bit Vista with the MS codec . . . it will only be those users that choose not to use that codec (by buying a version without it) that might be affected.

In response to the first quote:

On the contrary, not saying it is exactly what would make them responsible. What happens when an X64 Vista Business user purchases Deskscapes 2.0, only to find that MOST of the dreams (or at least the best quality ones) do not work? Naturally, many (or at least some) of them will want their money back. It is adverised to work on non Ultimate versions of Vista, yet not with the big caveat that it only kinda works.

In response to the second quote:

and yet this is one of the touted features of the release! That it "works on non Ultimate versions of Vista". To say it "works" would be pushing it, since it has very limited functionality, being unable to use the majority of the Dreams (or at least the best quality ones), correct me if I am wrong...(unless this is planning to be resolved of course). This would be like Microsoft saying certain PC's that were sold when Vista came out were "Vista Ready".... meanwhile if a user tryed to update to vista on that machine, lack of drivers among other things made the quoted statement to not be so true. Yes, if you are an experienced user at troubleshooting you could possibly get it to function semi-properly, but it would be more accurate to say "Could possibly run Vista, but not without major problems, and we know this" (maybe they should have changed their slogan to that? Joking...)

Let me just make it clear that I am a fan of Microsoft and of Stardock, so don't think I am just some nay-sayer. I just think this should be made very clear that X64 versions of non ultimate Vista's CANNOT USE THE MPEG-2 created Dreams (which is a very large majority). This would be fair, and straighfoward to potential buyers.

A similar example is one from Apple. On the boxes of their new video Ipods, Vista is listed as one of the requirements right on the box. Yet when the user takes it home to use it (and has X64) they realize it DOES NOT WORK, will not, and with no apologies or specified future support. (They did the right thing and fixed this by releasing iTunes 7.6 by the way... it just took a tremendous amount of time and with complete uncertainty of compatibility ever being given).

The point is clear... it should at least be in the release notes or the readme for Deskscapes 2.0! Preferrably on the product page, even if in small letters.

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ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

I just think this should be made very clear that X64 versions of non ultimate Vista's CANNOT USE THE MPEG-2 created Dreams (which is a very large majority). This would be fair, and straighfoward to potential buyers.

If this is the case, then I agree.

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You-the-man Zubas, thanks for agreeing.

By the way, as we all know, many software company's have a "known issues" section in their product release pages. This is not uncommon, very helpful, and would be appropriate if my particular issue is not unique (which it isn't) and will remain outstanding.

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What happens when an X64 Vista Business user purchases Deskscapes 2.0, only to find that MOST of the dreams (or at least the best quality ones) do not work?

I'm curious as to how many users would be affected by this. When I originally heard that there were issues with Mpeg 2 on the Business editions I thought about putting out WMV and MPG versions of my dreams and upload them in zip files. The problem with this is some of them can be rather large to begin with as some of the ones I've done are right at the maximum file size allowed. I choose to stick with MPG so I can create higher quality with lower CPU usage.
Once I heard that Zubaz had found a codec that was allowing him to use them on his copy of Vista Business, all of this became a mute point. I may revisit this after the release of Dreamscapes 2 is made public since it is uncertain at this time whether or not it will support the 64bit version of Vista Business natively. If it doesn’t support it and there is enough requests, I could possibly be talked into putting out a WMV version of my more popular dreams.

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that would be much appreciated if it turns out to be necessary.

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Nevermind, Fixed it!

Install This:
http://www.start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=610&Itemid=72

ALL DREAMS WORK, INCLUDING MPEG-2 ON VISTA BUSINESS X64

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Breathless19...glad to hear you have solved the problem.

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http://www.start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=610&Itemid=72

Just to clarify, it was the 64-bit build of ffdshow that resolved this user's problem. I would never recommend users install these "codec packs".

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