What Media Player Is Used Here????

[Pterocarpous]

Hey ya'll. I need to check into a problem a user is having playing videos online. HERE (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070124/ap_on_el_pr/obama2008_2) is one example where the user is unable to play online videos.

I tried it myself w/in IE7 and it works fine but I don't know what media player it's using. It just comes up in another Yahoo! browser window and plays from there.

I'd check his multi-media player configurations but I don't know which player(s) involved.

Could someone, please, enlighten me re: how this streaming video is played, etc.?

TIA!

[Pterocarpous]

I neglected to mention that he is using Mozilla FF 2.0

I tried it in Mozilla FF as well and ran into (what I think might be) the same problem. Please, see the pics re: Mozilla vs IE7 windows when trying to play the video.

I looked at the settings (in the player window when opened in Mozilla) and there was nothing apparent that I could select to change how the video is played. I could only select the connection speed.

[airbornflght]

Well, I use Foobar for music, winamp for streaming video, and Nero Showtime for videos and movies.

[Pterocarpous]

Well, I use Foobar for music, winamp for streaming video, and Nero Showtime for videos and movies.
What's puzzling in this case is I don't know what player is being used so I don't know what players to change, etc. IOW, no player window comes up when the video is played (e.g. QT, WMP, RP, etc.) What happens when you try to play video at the same site (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070124/ap_on_el_pr/obama2008_2)??

EDIT://
(In Mozilla FF if you have it)

[Donut]

I don't really know, I was able to watch the news clips with Window Media player 10 installed. (in Firefox) Which videos are you trying to watch?

[Trogan]

The video didn't work for me either with both Firefox and IE7. Firefox gives the error in the attachment. Video doesn't even load in IE. I don't know how the vid is streamed, sorry.

[Pterocarpous]

I don't really know, I was able to watch the news clips with Window Media player 10 installed. (in Firefox) Which videos are you trying to watch?

Please, see the PIC. So does WMP UI come up when you play the video in Mozilla FF?

[Pterocarpous]

The video didn't work for me either with both Firefox and IE7. Firefox gives the error in the attachment. Video doesn't even load in IE. I don't know how the vid is streamed, sorry.
Thanx for checking Trogan. Maybe we'll get the issue sorted out for you as well in the process... :)

[Trogan]

I'm counting on you ;)

EDIT: This is what I get in IE...

[Donut]

Pterocarpous,

When I click on the picture or the link to the news videos, it takes me to the same screen as you posted in your second post. I just wait a minute and the video starts to play. When I right click on the video and click "about", WMP 10 info pops up.

Normally I don't watch vids as I'm to cheap to pay for a decent cable package. All I have is 256k up/down.

[Pterocarpous]

I'm counting on you ;)
:doh: Oh Lordy!! Now I really got t' figure this out!! :aol: :)

[mirage]

Pterocarpous,

When I click on the picture or the link to the news videos, it takes me to the same screen as you posted in your second post. I just wait a minute and the video starts to play. When I right click on the video and click "about", WMP 10 info pops up.

Normally I don't watch vids as I'm to cheap to pay for a decent cable package. All I have is 256k up/down.


Same here. Using Firefox, right clicking on the video screen and selecting "About" brings the WMP 11 info (WMP 10 was upgraded). I think, you need to check the WMP installation, maybe reinstall WMP.

[Pterocarpous]

Thanx ya'll. Now I'm really stumped. I don't get any ABOUT option in the context menu when I right-click on the video????? (In Mozilla FF nor in IE7)

Are ya'll right-clicking on the video picture b4 you choose the option to play it??? :confused2

[Pterocarpous]

...This is what I get in IE...
I think we just need to configure your media player for IE, Trogan. What do you get in Mozilla FF?

[Pterocarpous]

...I think, you need to check the WMP installation, maybe reinstall WMP.
I sure hope that's not it. WMP can be a real pain to fix when it's broke. I'm hoping it's just a configuration issue. I'll keep you recommendation in mind though for sure. Thanx!

[Trogan]

For FF, I get the error attached in post #6. I agree that IE may need configuring, since I hardly use it.

[Pterocarpous]

For FF, I get the error attached in post #6. I agree that IE may need configuring, since I hardly use it.
Ahhh! Ok. We'll get that fixed Trogan. I'm doing some research right now. I'll be back! :range:

[mirage]

Thanx ya'll. Now I'm really stumped. I don't get any ABOUT option in the context menu when I right-click on the video????? (In Mozilla FF nor in IE7)

Are ya'll right-clicking on the video picture b4 you choose the option to play it??? :confused2

I checked with IE7 this time, right-click menu does not appear here either. :scratch: But Firefox still gives the right-click menu. Both browsers should be using WMP.

[Winga]

I was able to play it just fine. I'm using FF2. I did a screen print after checking the properties while the video was playing. I hope this helps a bit.

[Trogan]

Its no problem for me, seriously. I didn't mean to turn your thread into a help for me thread.

[Pterocarpous]

Its no problem for me, seriously. I didn't mean to turn your thread into a help for me thread.
Not at all. But why not kill two birds w/ one stone? (I hate that expression but don't know of another one that conveys the same meaning... :hrm: )

[mirage]

I sure hope that's not it. WMP can be a real pain to fix when it's broke. I'm hoping it's just a configuration issue. I'll keep you recommendation in mind though for sure. Thanx!

In case you need to search for downloading the latest WMP10, here is the link (http://www.majorgeeks.com/Windows_Media_Player_d4340.html).

[Pterocarpous]

In case you need to search for downloading the latest WMP10, here is the link (http://www.majorgeeks.com/Windows_Media_Player_d4340.html).
Thanx mirage. Save me the trouble huntin' it down.

I'm thinking that there's been a MM (multi-media) player update or install recently that has usurped his previous player settings. I know that QuickTime has been reaking havoc w/ peoples' mm settings w/ it's latest update.

I'm going to be remoting in to his system in a few (once he's gone to lunch) and check it out. I'll let ya'll know what I find.

Thankyou!

[Pterocarpous]

Ok. I got it working on his IE7.

Configured WMP file associations (checked all in the interest of speed)
Interestingly, I was then prompted to install an ActiveX control I haven't seen b4 (when I first tried playing the video after change the file type associations)
See pic
It's called the "Windows Media 6.4 Player Shim"
Anyone ever heard of this?

I'm trying to find the plugin for FF now. (It still doesn't work...)

[mirage]

Ok. I got it working on his IE7.

Configured WMP file associations (checked all in the interest of speed)
Interestingly, I was then prompted to install an ActiveX control I haven't seen b4 (when I first tried playing the video after change the file type associations)
See pic
It's called the "Windows Media 6.4 Player Shim"
Anyone ever heard of this?

I'm trying to find the plugin for FF now. (It still doesn't work...)

Firefox does not need a special plugin for that. I think it is just not aware that you have fixed WMP. Why don't you just reinstall FF.

[nonstop301]

I haven't heard of Windows Media 6.4 Player Shim but the warning for the ActiveX control is normal for Internet Explorer.

What version of the Windows Media Player is installed on that computer by the way ?

If you're still having trouble with FireFox check about : plugins in the address bar and see whether Windows Media Player Plug-in Dynamic Link Library (npdsplay.dll), Microsoft® DRM (npdrmv2.dll) and Microsoft® DRM (npwmsdrm.dll) are present and enabled. If they aren't, the three .dll files will have to be copied into the FireFox plugins directory (C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugins) from the C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player directory where they originally reside.

[Riptide]

I'm using FF 1.5.0.9, and it works just fine for me (even though I'm not intrested in US politics :))

EDIT: didn't see the 2nd page, or that it's fixed...

[Pterocarpous]

Firefox does not need a special plugin for that. I think it is just not aware that you have fixed WMP. Why don't you just reinstall FF.
According to their web site it does (I think. I'll need to go back and check.). I checked [browser : plugins] in the url field. No WMP plugins installed.

I do think I'm going to have to either re-install WMP or FF. Reinstalling FF would be the easies except that he has a bunch of add-ons installed. I'm going to try one or the other later tonite when he's off the computer for the day.

He'd had some problems earlier in the week listening to streaming audio on his web site. It was cutting in and out or it would start then stop. Not positive which right now. Changing the WMP file associations settings fixed that.

[Pterocarpous]

...I haven't heard of Windows Media 6.4 Player Shim but the warning for the ActiveX control is normal for Internet Explorer...
I wasn't worried about the ActiveX control. I just hadn't heard of it b4. I checked for a comparable add-on or plug-in for FF on Mozilla's web site. Couldn't find one. All I could find was WMP listed as a plug-in. Following the links leads to a downlad of WMP. So, apparently, installing WMP is s'posed to be enough to get it to work w/ FF.
...What version of the Windows Media Player is installed on that computer by the way?...
10
...If you're still having trouble with FireFox check about : plugins in the address bar and see whether Windows Media Player Plug-in Dynamic Link Library (npdsplay.dll), Microsoft® DRM (npdrmv2.dll) and Microsoft® DRM (npwmsdrm.dll) are present and enabled. If they aren't, the three .dll files will have to be copied into the FireFox plugins directory (C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugins) from the C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player directory where they originally reside...
Now THAT sounds like the ticket nonstop301. I'll try that on my own system (where I'm experiencing the same issue) and let you know if it works. Thanx!

[Pterocarpous]

...If you're still having trouble with FireFox check about : plugins in the address bar and see whether Windows Media Player Plug-in Dynamic Link Library (npdsplay.dll), Microsoft® DRM (npdrmv2.dll) and Microsoft® DRM (npwmsdrm.dll) are present and enabled. If they aren't, the three .dll files will have to be copied into the FireFox plugins directory (C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugins) from the C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player directory where they originally reside.
Oddly, I found the (3) DLLs in the system32\dllcache\ directory. They weren't in the Program Files\Windows Media Player directory

I copied them to Mozilla Firefox\plugins
Situation significantly improved! :bigggrin:
Videos will play now. There just seems to be some functionality missing re: controlling the video play. (See in pic at the bottom IE7 vs Mozilla FF.)

nonstop301, could you compare your Mozilla WMP plugins to mine, please?
Do you have something that doesn't appear in mine?

EDIT://-1
It's missing from the pic of plugins but Mozilla picked up the npdrmv2.dll as well.
EDIT://-2
The functionality that is different between IE7 & Mozilla is:
In Mozilla, the pause button and the sound (speaker) button are greyed out.
The progress bar is missing.
There are only the fast forward and rewind buttons available (in Mozilla FF).

[nonstop301]

Oddly, I found the (3) DLLs in the system32\dllcache\ directory.
That's not where they are supposed to be. I'd recommend you copy them into C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player as well. It's probably why you had some trouble with Internet Explorer as well originally :)

Could you compare your Mozilla WMP plugins to mine, please? Do you have something that doesn't appear in mine?

Those 3 dll's is what I have as well as far as Microsoft DRMs are concerned.

The functionality that is different between IE7 & Mozilla is:
In Mozilla, the pause button and the sound (speaker) button are greyed out.
The progress bar is missing.
There are only the fast forward and rewind buttons available (in Mozilla FF).

This is normal. FireFox uses the .dll differently but the multimedia will be displayed. These are Microsoft .dll's and are designed for maximum functionality with the Internet Explorer browser :)
To Stop or Pause the stream with FireFox just right click in the video player and choose the relevant option accordingly.

[Pterocarpous]

...That's not where they are supposed to be. I'd recommend you copy them into C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player as well. It's probably why you had some trouble with Internet Explorer as well originally :) ...
I was thinking the same thing - and I did copy them to WMPs program files directory. But this was actually on my system. I wasn't having any trouble (that I know of) w/ multi-media in IE on my computer. What happened was I found out I had the same problem w/ Mozilla FF that my client has. So, I decided to fix mine - then I'd know what to do to fix his...
...Those 3 dll's is what I have as well as far as Microsoft DRMs are concerned...
Good. Then I'm not missing anything.
...This is normal. FireFox uses the .dll differently but the multimedia will be displayed. These are Microsoft .dll's and are designed for maximum functionality with the Internet Explorer browser :)
To Stop or Pause the stream with FireFox just right click in the video player and choose the relevant option accordingly...
Ahhh! Thanx nonstop301. I didn't know that. Then I reckon I have the fix now and can remote in and make the changes on his computer.

Thanx again! You're swell!! :thumbsup: :bigggrin:

[mirage]

According to their web site it does (I think. I'll need to go back and check.). I checked [browser : plugins] in the url field. No WMP plugins installed.

I do think I'm going to have to either re-install WMP or FF. Reinstalling FF would be the easies except that he has a bunch of add-ons installed. I'm going to try one or the other later tonite when he's off the computer for the day.

He'd had some problems earlier in the week listening to streaming audio on his web site. It was cutting in and out or it would start then stop. Not positive which right now. Changing the WMP file associations settings fixed that.

Sorry about the late response. I mean it does not need any specific plugins for FF to be installed. It should find whatever plugins IE is using and start using them. My FF installation that is playing the video is just barebones FF here. Anyway, you seem to have resolved the problem. Congratulations!

[Pterocarpous]

Sorry about the late response. I mean it does not need any specific plugins for FF to be installed. It should find whatever plugins IE is using and start using them. My FF installation that is playing the video is just barebones FF here. Anyway, you seem to have resolved the problem. Congratulations!
Thanx mirage. Your input is much appreciated. It's all of us putting our heads together that gets the problems solved, right?


Thanx again! :)

[fmueller]

I use Yahoo as my homepage and read the featured news articles regularly. Of course I'd also like to watch some of the videos, but always had problems with them not loading properly. It was a rare day when I actually managed to watch one of them all the way through, so I have been following this thread with interest. However, before I got around to doing anything about it, today I just happened to install VLC Media Player (freeware) for other reasons, and since then the Yahoo videos seem to play without a hitch! I am not even sure if that is a coincidence, but I thought I'd mention it anyhow. I am using FireFox 2.0.0.1 and I did install the FireFox plugin with VLC.

Frank

PS: why not kill two birds w/ one stone? (I hate that expression but don't know of another one that conveys the same meaning... :hrm: )

The equivalent German saying is "Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen" - that is "hit two flies with one swat". Essentially it's still killing, but if you value flies less than birds, this might help you out of your predicament :cheers:

[Pterocarpous]

...PS:...The equivalent German saying is "Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen" - that is "hit two flies with one swat". Essentially it's still killing, but if you value flies less than birds, this might help you out of your predicament :cheers:...
LOL! Much better, Frank. I've far less objection t' killin' a fly than a bird... 'course, now that I think about it.... :range:

[Pterocarpous]

...today I just happened to install VLC Media Player (freeware) for other reasons, and since then the Yahoo videos seem to play without a hitch! I am not even sure if that is a coincidence, but I thought I'd mention it anyhow. I am using FireFox 2.0.0.1 and I did install the FireFox plugin with VLC...

HERE's (http://www.download.com/VLC-Media-Player/3000-2194_4-10267151.html) VLC Media Player for those who want to give it a peek. I'm gonna check it out, too. Thanx Frank!