The VideoLAN Forums

I used to be able to download youtube .flv files using downloadhelper and play them with vlc. Now for many (most? all?) I get no suitable decoder (undf). I'm up to vlc 2.02, and only went to the nightly build because 2.01 did the same thing.

This is both windows-7 12.04 (and ubuntu 12.04 vlc 2.01)

Has something changed?

Please open Tools -> Messages (set Verbosity to 2) before you start the playback and then paste the full resulting log here or on Pastebin.com if it's too long.

Also upload a short sample of a problematic file to either http://streams.videolan.org/upload/ or to MirrorCreator.com or to EmbedUpload.com, so it will upload the file for you to several other hosts, and then post the link to the file here.

Messages log:

main debug: adding item `THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv' ( file:///C:/Users/sshapir/personal/music/THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA%20_ORIGINAL%20USVERSION_.flv )
qt4 debug: Adding a new MRL to recent ones: file:///C:/Users/sshapir/personal/music/THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA%20_ORIGINAL%20USVERSION_.flv
main debug: rebuilding array of current - root Playlist
main debug: rebuild done - 5 items, index 3
main debug: processing request item: THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv, node: Playlist, skip: 0
main debug: resyncing on THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv
main debug: THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv is at 4
main debug: starting playback of the new playlist item
main debug: resyncing on THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv
main debug: THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv is at 4
main debug: creating new input thread
main debug: Creating an input for 'THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv'
main debug: using timeshift granularity of 50 MiB, in path 'C:\Users\sshapir\AppData\Local\Temp'
main debug: `file:///C:/Users/sshapir/personal/music/THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA%20_ORIGINAL%20USVERSION_.flv' gives access `file' demux `' path `/C:/Users/sshapir/personal/music/THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA%20_ORIGINAL%20USVERSION_.flv'
main debug: creating demux: access='file' demux='' location='/C:/Users/sshapir/personal/music/THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA%20_ORIGINAL%20USVERSION_.flv' file='C:\Users\sshapir\personal\music\THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv'
main debug: looking for access_demux module: 3 candidates
main debug: Creating an input for 'THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv'
main debug: no access_demux module matching "file" could be loaded
main debug: TIMER module_need() : 0.827 ms - Total 0.827 ms / 1 intvls (Avg 0.827 ms)
main debug: creating access 'file' location='/C:/Users/sshapir/personal/music/THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA%20_ORIGINAL%20USVERSION_.flv', path='C:\Users\sshapir\personal\music\THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv'
main debug: looking for access module: 3 candidates
filesystem debug: opening file `C:\Users\sshapir\personal\music\THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv'
main debug: using access module "filesystem"
main debug: TIMER module_need() : 0.915 ms - Total 0.915 ms / 1 intvls (Avg 0.915 ms)
main debug: Using stream method for AStream*
main debug: starting pre-buffering
main debug: received first data after 11 ms
main debug: pre-buffering done 1024 bytes in 0s - 85 KiB/s
main debug: looking for stream_filter module: 4 candidates
main debug: no stream_filter module matching "any" could be loaded
main debug: TIMER module_need() : 0.206 ms - Total 0.206 ms / 1 intvls (Avg 0.206 ms)
main debug: looking for stream_filter module: 1 candidate
main debug: using stream_filter module "stream_filter_record"
main debug: TIMER module_need() : 0.156 ms - Total 0.156 ms / 1 intvls (Avg 0.156 ms)
main debug: creating demux: access='file' demux='' location='/C:/Users/sshapir/personal/music/THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA%20_ORIGINAL%20USVERSION_.flv' file='C:\Users\sshapir\personal\music\THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv'
main debug: looking for demux module: 55 candidates
qt4 debug: IM: Setting an input
ts debug: TS module discarded (lost sync)
mod debug: MOD validation failed (ext=flv)
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Users\sshapir\AppData\Roaming\vlc\lua\playlist
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\anevia_streams.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\anevia_xml.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\appletrailers.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\bbc_co_uk.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\break.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\canalplus.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\cue.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\dailymotion.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\extreme.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\france2.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\googlevideo.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\jamendo.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\joox.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\katsomo.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\koreus.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\lelombrik.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\metacafe.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\metachannels.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\mpora.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\pinkbike.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\pluzz.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\rockbox_fm_presets.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\soundcloud.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\vimeo.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\youtube.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\youtube_homepage.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\zapiks.luac
avcodec debug: trying url: C:\Users\sshapir\personal\music\THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv
avcodec debug: detected format: flv
avcodec debug: Trying to seek too far : EOF?
avcodec debug: Trying to seek too far : EOF?
avcodec debug: Trying to seek too far : EOF?
avcodec warning: Could not find stream info: Specified event object handle is invalid
main debug: selecting program id=0
avcodec debug: adding es: video codec = undf
avcodec debug: adding es: audio codec = undf
avcodec debug: AVFormat supported stream
avcodec debug: - format = flv (FLV format)
avcodec debug: - start time = 1769108596000
avcodec debug: - duration = -1
main debug: using demux module "avcodec"
main debug: TIMER module_need() : 2103.631 ms - Total 2103.631 ms / 1 intvls (Avg 2103.631 ms)
main debug: looking for a subtitle file in C:\Users\sshapir\personal\music\
main debug: looking for decoder module: 31 candidates
main debug: meta ok for (null), need to fetch art
main debug: looking for meta fetcher module: 1 candidate
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Users\sshapir\AppData\Roaming\vlc\lua\meta\fetcher
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\fetcher
main debug: no decoder module matching "any" could be loaded
main debug: TIMER module_need() : 262.722 ms - Total 262.722 ms / 1 intvls (Avg 262.722 ms)
main error: no suitable decoder module for fourcc `undf'. VLC probably does not support this sound or video format.
main debug: killing decoder fourcc `undf', 0 PES in FIFO
main debug: looking for decoder module: 31 candidates
main debug: no decoder module matching "any" could be loaded
main debug: TIMER module_need() : 0.379 ms - Total 0.379 ms / 1 intvls (Avg 0.379 ms)
main error: no suitable decoder module for fourcc `undf'. VLC probably does not support this sound or video format.
main debug: killing decoder fourcc `undf', 0 PES in FIFO
main debug: looking for meta reader module: 2 candidates
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\fetcher\tvrage.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Users\sshapir\AppData\Roaming\vlc\lua\meta\reader
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\reader
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\reader\filename.luac
main debug: using meta fetcher module "lua"
main debug: TIMER module_need() : 126.107 ms - Total 126.107 ms / 1 intvls (Avg 126.107 ms)
main debug: removing module "lua"
main debug: searching art for THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv
main debug: looking for art finder module: 2 candidates
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Users\sshapir\AppData\Roaming\vlc\lua\meta\art
lua debug: Trying Lua scripts in C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art
main debug: no meta reader module matching "any" could be loaded
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\00_musicbrainz.luac
main debug: TIMER module_need() : 6.114 ms - Total 6.114 ms / 1 intvls (Avg 6.114 ms)
main debug: `file:///C:/Users/sshapir/personal/music/THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA%20_ORIGINAL%20USVERSION_.flv' successfully opened
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\01_googleimage.luac
main debug: Buffering 0%
main debug: EOF reached
main debug: Stream buffering done (0 ms in 0 ms)
main debug: Decoder buffering done in 0 ms
main debug: removing module "avcodec"
main debug: removing module "stream_filter_record"
main debug: removing module "filesystem"
main debug: Program doesn't contain anymore ES
main debug: dead input
main debug: changing item without a request (current 4/5)
main debug: nothing to play
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\02_frenchtv.luac
lua debug: Trying Lua playlist script C:\Program Files\apps\multimedia\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\meta\art\03_lastfm.luac
main debug: no art finder module matching "any" could be loaded
main debug: TIMER module_need() : 8.415 ms - Total 8.415 ms / 1 intvls (Avg 8.415 ms)
main debug: art not found for THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv
qt4 debug: IM: Deleting the input
main debug: Destroying the input for 'THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv'
main debug: TIMER input launching for 'THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA _ORIGINAL USVERSION_.flv' : 2389.645 ms - Total 2389.645 ms / 1 intvls (Avg 2389.645 ms)

As requested, we also need a sample file.

I uploaded it and was expecting the link to show up, but apparently I misread the email. Anyway, it is this file on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiNJIMDoYuk
or
Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto - Girl From Ipanema (Original Stereo)

I uploaded it

Where ?

Anyway, it is this file on youtube

No, we want the file you have used.

You ask me to:
> Also upload a short sample of a problematic file to either http://streams.videolan.org/upload/ or
> to MirrorCreator.com or to EmbedUpload.com, so it will upload the file for you to several other hosts,
> and then post the link to the file here.

Well, I'd like to do that. I not a member of either mirrorcreator or embedupload.com and neither will let me join just for this. I've uploladed to streams.videolan.org/upload (twice - once at the start of this) and once just again, but there is no link that I can see that is provided to find it, so I'm up a creek? That's why I posted the link to the youtube which I downloaded. I don't know how else to do this.

I've uploladed to streams.videolan.org/upload (twice - once at the start of this)

I've found one, THEGIRLFROMIPANEMA%20_ORIGINAL%20USVERSION_.flv.
But this file is broken, it's only 1.7 MB and doesn't have a valid FLV header.

The one I've downloaded myself is 5.3 MB and is playing fine with VLC, so it must be your downloader doing something wrong.

Then the problem is indeed mine. Thanks for your help and sorry for the back and forth.