The VideoLAN Forums

I'm trying to play some anime released by KAA on VLC in Ubuntu and I seem to be having some issues. When I try to play Kino's Journey, all I get is audio and no video and I get this response with -vvv:

[00000305] ffmpeg decoder error: cannot open codec (Windows Media Video 3)
[00000305] main decoder error: no suitable decoder module for fourcc `WMV3'.
VLC probably does not support this sound or video format.
[00000305] main decoder debug: killing decoder fourcc `WMV3', 0 PES in FIFO


I get the exact same thing with Last Exile. If I'm not mistaken, VLC recently got support for this codec with 0.8.6. Has my information network failed me for once or am I missing something?

You need a recent VLC (0.8.6) AND a recent ffmpeg build.

And I have both. o_0

Well obviously you don't, else you'd be able to play WMV3 fine. (Just to make sure, could you paste the other debug output lines. those right before the "cannot open decoder" error message)

ffmpeg decoder warning: Profile value 2 is forbidden (and WMV3 Complex Profile is unsupported)

We can't do anything for you for now.

*sigh*

Well, what exactly is my problem? Can you describe it for me?

Erm, hello?

Im having the same problem in OSX.

Yes, I have latest VLC version.

Yes, I have proper ffmpeg.

It wont work with an encoded dvd rip on my hard drive. I have also attempted a plethora of possible settings and tweaks I also get the exact same error. (Does not support WMV3 complex)

Every other filetype works perfect.

Is this a VLC bug? A OSX/Linux OS specific error?

Either way, this forum is flooded to death with this issue and no one seems to be getting an answer that works.

Can you make a sticky with a fix? Or.. a sticky stating the problem to users and letting everyone know that the admins are working on it (if possible that is) Too many threads with no answers, this widespread problem should be adressed. Blame it on M$ for trash codecs, and the encoder using it.

Otherwise, I love the software, wouldnt mind some DTS/Dolby Digital Pro Logic DSP , (something that meets or exceeds powerDVD's features in this department) or just an audio plugin emulating something similar to the features of a home theatre reciever. (i.e individual channel/speaker delays) Also, ifnot already implemented (probably is) the ability to route different signal types to our home theatre recievers from our encoded files, through our respective audio devices (different mediums; spdif,toslink ,6ch discrete, rca analog and the respective different types of data. Still encoded in raw format to be converted at the next DAC in the chain.). The DTS features/options are meager. ( Dynamic range compression!!?!?!? BOO!) We all dont watch movies on laptop speakers or cheap headphones. Hypercompression has been the death of modern music and movies. I understand that adding such things as official dolby decoders and the like , are most likely not an option. Although im sure there is some form of freeware/GNU binarys out there that will do the job. PowerDVD has the respective labels of dolby/dts/meridian lossless on their startup splash, (their software is trash, VLC is much better) although they do not maximize the utility of such formats. Which im sure the programmers for VLC will find a way to get that 'High-End Home Theatre Reciever' flexibility.

P.S : The video im trying is put out by KAA aswell 'Tokyo Godfathers' ha ha, (definitely not their fault, is sure QC would have caught a problem especially one that serious)

There is no opensource decoder for WMV high profile.

However on linux x86 you can use the dmo loader to load the libraries.