# .avi files won't play on Windows laptop **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 30, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984 "2024-11-30T20:10:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/1 "2024-11-30T20:10:18Z")
I bought my wife a trail camera for her birthday. In the last week, we captured 21 video files. I have a Juiced adapter with various input possibilities. We plugged it into her laptop, and inserted the memory card into it. We can find the USB drive and the media (.avi) files, but when we try try to play them (Windows Media Player), there is an error that says the file type is not supported. When I plug the device into my MacBook Pro, they play just fine. 1. Why aren’t the files playing on the Windows machine, while they do on my Mac? 2. Is there a different app she should be using? ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/2 "2024-11-30T20:14:22Z")
Try mpv or VLC. (If there is still an error, we can go back to Question #1 with the information from the message). ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/3 "2024-11-30T20:20:52Z")
VLC for sure. Still, it’s surprising there’s a problem to begin with. I’d copy one of the files to a local drive on the Win pc to make sure it isn’t a problem reading off the cam. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/4 "2024-11-30T20:26:22Z")
Windows media player probably does not have the correct codec installed. Videos are a complicated mix of file type, container, and codec (both video and audio). Your player has to support all of them to properly play the video. A video ending in `.avi` just tells you its name, and not any of the other information. VLC or similar is probably the best answer, but you may also be able to install one of these codec packs to solve the problem. > **[Codecs in Media Player - Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/codecs-in-media-player-d5c2cdcd-83a2-4805-abb0-c6888138e456)** > > Codecs allow you to play different formats of audio and video files. Media Player supports a wide variety of codecs. Most are included out of the box; some additional codecs can be installed from the Microsoft Store. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/5 "2024-11-30T20:32:31Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > VLC for sure. Apparently this is something she can download. > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I’d copy one of the files to a local drive on the Win pc to make sure it isn’t a problem reading off the cam. We’re not reading off of the camera. The memory card is in the adapter, and we can navigate to the video files. > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Still, it’s surprising there’s a problem to begin with. This is why I like Macs. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/6 "2024-11-30T20:35:37Z")
[SM Player](https://www.smplayer.info/) is also really good. I like it better than VLC. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/7 "2024-11-30T20:37:56Z")
I have been instructed to delete all of the files. We’ll try again next week, after figure out how to turn the infrared camera on. All we got (which we watched on the Mac) were raccoons, cats, and squirrels. (I actually copied them into a new folder on my desktop before deleting them from the card.) ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/8 "2024-11-30T22:30:55Z")
Instructed to delete all the files by who? There’s no problem with the files, you’re probably just on an older version of Windows without the right codecs. The same thing will happen if you play it on an old enough Mac. It just so happens that Apple is typically more aggressive about using & including newer video codecs and adding support for common Windows ones, while the reverse isn’t true (i.e. Windows will often have trouble with newer Apple videos and photos, unless you frequently update it and add the codecs.) Eventually newer codecs will trickle down to third-party devices and cameras too, and older operating systems (of all sorts) will struggle with them. It’s fine, it’s a totally normal thing. Just use VLC like they said or update your Windows and add the codecs. But VLC is a lot easier 🙂 .AVI files aren’t really a specific filetype; they are a family of “containers” that share an extension that tells you there’s a video inside, but what’s actually inside determines whether a certain program can play it. Older versions of Windows and Windows Media Player don’t have newer codecs. VLC includes a bunch of them and can play back just about anything. You might also just be able to drag the video into Chrome and play it there. * * * If you really want to, there are tools like ffmpeg that can help you identify specifically what is inside the .AVI file if you absolutely _must_ know which codec is causing the issue for you (probably h265 or h264), but it doesn’t matter, the solution is still the same… use VLC or update. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/9 "2024-11-30T22:53:46Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Instructed to delete all the files by who? SWMBO. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/10 "2024-11-30T22:59:30Z")
Five bucks says it’s a JPEG/MJPG inside the .avi, which Windows doesn’t read by default. There’s installable codec packs that will enable it, but the better answer is to use a less lame camera to shoot those movies. JPEG in .avi files is a really old old old problem. Everyone uses .mp4 embedding H.264 these days. I mean, who the hell generates .avi these days? That’s an abandoned standard. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/11 "2024-11-30T23:00:51Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Instructed to delete all the files by who? There’s no problem with the files, you’re probably just on an older version of Windows without the right codecs. This isn’t that kind of thread. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/12 "2024-11-30T23:04:06Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > This isn’t that kind of thread. Huh? . ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/13 "2024-12-01T00:47:19Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Huh? Another “Huh?” from me as well. I certainly hope the OP has _not_ deleted the files and just used something like VLC on it. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/14 "2024-12-01T00:55:47Z")
Another strong recommendation for VLC. Windows Media Player has always been awful with very limited capabilities. One of the big strengths of VLC is that all of the necessary codecs are integrated. I have no idea what this “deleting all your files” is supposed to be about, but please don’t. Download VLC (it’s free). If you happen not to like the current one (some folks prefer older versions) you can go to the archive and find a vast assortment of previous versions. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/15 "2024-12-01T01:12:13Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > SWMBO. > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > This isn’t that kind of thread. Pretty confused by all this 🤔 Are you saying these were just test recordings and the SO made you delete them because they’re boring? And you’re going to try again next week (when hopefully the night vision mode will record more interesting creatures…)? Is that what you meant? That’s fine, but the codec situation would still be the same. If you meant something else, sorry, I’m totally lost lol… > [@squeegee](#): > > Five bucks says it’s a JPEG/MJPG inside the .avi Ah, yeah, that’s a great guess! VLC should [still support it](https://www.videolan.org/vlc/features.html#:~:text=Dirac%20/%20VC%2D2%2C-,MJPEG%20(A/B),-%2C%20WMV%201/2). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/16 "2024-12-01T02:06:26Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I have no idea what this “deleting all your files” is supposed to be about, but please don’t. I saved the files to _my_ computer, and deleted them from the card. > [@Reply](#): > > Pretty confused by all this 🤔 Are you saying these were just test recordings and the SO made you delete them because they’re boring? And you’re going to try again next week (when hopefully the night vision mode will record more interesting creatures…)? Is that what you meant? That’s fine, but the codec situation would still be the same. Pretty much. But I know better than to argue. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/17 "2024-12-01T02:30:06Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Pretty much. But I know better than to argue. Heh, 'tis a good life skill. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/18 "2024-12-01T03:49:43Z")
You can also use handbrake to convert avi into a more compatible format. I have trouble casting old videos to my Vizo tv. Often the sound won’t play. Or, I get a black screen _with_ sound. Handbrake is the solution. It gets around old unsupported CODECS. Handbrake is free. Handbrake supports batch processing. Load up 20 trail cam videos at bedtime and they’ll be ready the next morning. Better yet, buy a different trail cam that creates better videos. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/19 "2024-12-01T12:48:36Z")
In the SDMB tradition of strangers stepping in to defend others… It kind of makes sense for a trail camera to use AVI containers with an MJPEG codec. MJPEG compresses each frame separately and I suspect that many people who use trail cameras just want good single frame images. MJPEG is kind of a mid-point between those who want single images and those who want video. The advantages of MP4/H.264 aren’t helpful if you want to use MJPEG. An AVI container works just fine and has certain advantages. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984/20 "2024-12-01T13:23:40Z")
Another vote for VLC. I’ve yet to encounter any video file it can’t handle.