Windows – Play WTV files on non-media center PC

videovideo-codecswindows 8.1windows-media-center

I have a Home Theater PC (HTPC) running Windows 7 Media Center. I'm using SiliconDust CableCard adapters to record programming like a DVR. Works great!

I'd like to view some of the recorded programs (in WTV format) on my new 8" Dell Venue tablet running Windows 8.1. I can access the files, but when I try to play them it opens up Windows Media Player and I get audio but no video playback. These are not DRM protected files.

I assume this means that Windows 8.1 understands the WTV container format and whatever audio codec is needed is installed but that I don't have the correct video codec installed. Using MediaInfo, it says the WTV video is in MPEG 2 format. (Other video formats like MPEG 4 play fine.)

I installed ffdshow to get an MPEG 2 codec and that allows me to play test MPEG 2 files but doesn't help with the WTV files.

Any thoughts on what I need to install? Thanks!

Best Answer

I never did figure out which codec was missing, but the VideoLan VLC player in the Windows Store for apps works great to play the non-copyprotected WTV files.

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