How to play tivo file on Vista 64 bit?

You should read those first.  They don't apply to my scenario.

Windows Media Player cannot play the file. You might encounter this error message for one of the following reasons:

"Your sound device, such as a sound card or sound controller, requires an updated driver. To determine if an updated driver is available, see Windows Update at the Microsoft Web site, or see the sound device manufacturer's Web site.

"Your sound device is not functioning properly. Try using Device Manager to check the status of your sound device.

 To check the status of your sound device
"Do one of the following:

"If you are running Windows XP, click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.

"If you are running Windows Vista, click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Manage.

"In the pane on the left, click Device Manager.

"In the pane on the right, expand Sound, video and game controllers, and then look for the name of your sound device.

"Do one of the following:

"If your sound device is listed but the icon includes a red "X," the device has been disabled. To enable the device, right-click the icon, and then click Enable.

"If your sound device is not listed, in the pane on the right, expand Other devices. If Multimedia Audio Controller appears in the list, right-click the icon, and then click Update Driver or Update Driver Software. Follow the on-screen instructions to find and install the driver software.

If you are not able to find and install the correct driver software, see your computer manufacturer's or sound device manufacturer's Web site for further assistance.

"You do not have a sound device installed on your computer. Install a sound device, and then try to play the file again. For details, see your computer manufacturer's or sound device manufacturer's Web site.

"You are trying to play a file on the Internet and the server might be temporarily unavailable or there might be a network issue. Try again later.

"You are trying to play an MP3 file that contains compressed ID3 headers. The ID3 header is a portion of the file that stores the song's album information (for example, the song name, artist name, album name, and genre). This information is sometimes called a "tag."

To fix the problem, make a copy of the file and then use a non-Microsoft ID3 tag editing program to remove or reset the file's ID3 headers. After you remove the ID3 headers, Windows Media Player should be able to play the MP3 file.

Attempting to remove ID3 headers might damage the file and make it unplayable. Therefore, always make a copy of the file before you edit it.

If this solution does not resolve the problem, the file might be corrupted."

OK ..

Let's try this.  I'm pretty sure this sounds like a codec issue.  I did a search on that topic and got these results:

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=64+bit+codecs+for+vista&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

The very first link is the one I need you to look at.  I can't test it without a tivo file on my 64 bit system here.  So, see what you think about trying it after you read all of the details.  It looks like there is a Vista package that needs to be installed and then a 64 bit add on applied.

I need to emphasize that you take a close look at it because codec packages are notorious for causing some minor problems.  It would probably be a good idea to set a system restore point before you start the install.

Good luck, and let me know if you run into and problems or if it doesn't work.

@uucknaaa:

From that link, I had already tried converting with AVS Converter 6.  I don't know if it is a codec as much as a converter.  I downloaded http://register.video-buzz.com/Download/index.aspx?s=ffdshow&c=795169&SessionId=79d0e26c-e2b6-427b-941d-8fcd546bc77b&fn=PBhPDg6eC&adid=3287230550.  I restarted WMP and still get the error.

"...after you read all of the details."

So I found Shark codec package on the first link.  I downloaded 64bit and it also wanted 32bit, which I downloaded.  It now works.  Woo-hoo!

I had been having this problem after I convert the tivo files to MPGs where there isn't any sound.  Just some quiet, light static and occasional popping.  I still occurs in the unconverted tivo files.  Do you have any ideas about that?

Thanks.

Hey ..

That's good to hear!

On the missing audio after converting, what are you using to convert?  You may have already told me and I forgot.  These little A/V projects always come up with something new to figure out.  There is a web site I've used to get information on everything associated with this stuff.  It's called videohelp.  There's a bunch of different converters they'll have listed there.  Just to make sure the audio is there, we oughta try another conversion or something.

Let me know what you used and we'll figure this out.

Ok, looks as though the Tivo box has died in regards to audio.  I called Tivo to troubleshoot it.  Just got a brand new Tivo box and will post results.  You've (uucknaaa) solved my WMP tivo issue and big thanks for that.  I should be good once the new box is connected and will then close the question.  Just want to post those results once done.