How can I play a FLV file in Windows Media Player?

I'd like to play Flash video or "FLV" files in Windows Media Player. I've done this before using codec packs like K-Lite and CCCP, but I've found they cause too many problems and I'd really like to avoid these.

I've also seen PlayFLV, but this pre-dates Flash support for H.264 and that's kinda required these days.

So are there other codec options available? Ideally there would also be thumbnail support with the codec.

NB: Using another video player is not an option to me -- I like WMP, I just want to know the best codec for the job.

スーパーファミコン

Posted 2009-07-23T19:31:16.293

Reputation: 4 719

Answers

You should try ffdshow - Media player may still give you an error, but it should play the file with no problem. Also, are you positive media player is completely updated?

xxl3ww

Posted 2009-07-23T19:31:16.293

Reputation: 1 489

if you must use WMP, then you'll likely have to install the codecs for it. I strongly suggest using VLC player, it just updated to 1.0 and has always worked for me with .flvs

Tedd Johnson

Posted 2009-07-23T19:31:16.293

Reputation: 183

1I know I'll need to install a codec, but which one is best is the idea of the question. Also, I really don't like VLC -- I've had way to many stability issues with it over the years, the UI is ugly, and the default video scaling technique doesn't even do smoothing. – スーパーファミコン – 2009-07-24T01:52:02.600

1If VLC isn't your cup of tea, try MPC - Media Player Classic. It has all the functionality of VLC in the old WMP skin. – Andrew Scagnelli – 2009-07-24T02:15:51.217

I've used that too -- the interface is also ugly as sin, and just like VLC it doesn't support my media keys. I like WMP, switching to another player is not an option. – スーパーファミコン – 2009-07-24T02:19:47.280

I think the bare minimum would be ffdshow, plus the appropriate splitter:

FLV => Gabest's FLV Splitter
MP4 => Haali Media Splitter

However, I should warn that installing those three is pretty much the same thing as installing CCCP, the only other things it includes are VSFilter and a couple minor codecs (WavPack/MPEG2).

Badaro

Posted 2009-07-23T19:31:16.293

Reputation: 543