What application to play MPEG2 files?

[PeterB]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to play the MPEG2 file of the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari -- free download from archive.org -- and am trying to play with vlc. I got it to play once, but on subsequent attempts I get the error "auhal: we cannot find our HAL component" and it plays without the audio. (vlc is version 0.8.4a.) So, does anybody know either what the problem is with vlc, or if there is something better to use to play these files back with?

TiA

[MGS_forgot_password]

MPlayer
http://mplayerosx.sourceforge.net/

[PeterB]

Hmmm, just tried MPlayer, it won't play with that either -- the mplayer window comes up, but then immediately closes...

[MGS_forgot_password]

Mpeg2 files play fine for me in MPlayer, is it possible that the video file is corrupt?

[blusubaru]

I'm assuming this is the link: http://www.archive.org/details/DasKabine...DrCaligari
And you clicked on the MPEG2 link? What is your file extension? It's downloading as an mpeg for me. Mine won't be done downloading for a while (1.2gb) so I can't answer you exactly just yet, but try changing the file type from ".mpeg" to ".mpg". It should then play in QT or any of the other players.

[PeterB]

Hi guys,

Some more info, I just discovered:

1) If I trash the vlc .plist file, it again plays the file properly. If I then quit and restart vlc, it again gives the error -- so apparently there is something being written to the vlc .plist file when you quit out of the app which is interfering with the sound being played properly on subsequent launchings of the app. So, it works, but you have to trash the .plist file each time, which is obviously a pain.

2) The version of MPlayer that MGS linked to does not work. However, I found this other version which does: http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/18580

... however, the playback quality isn't quite as good as vlc's.

3) It isn't just this one MPEG2 -- I've tried others with the same results... however I do notice that there is a difference between the version numbers on the one that MGS linked to, and the actual file that downloads (it's a later version which downloads, even though it's labelled as an earlier version).

4) Quicktime apparently won't play MPEG2's without an additional purchased component.

So... I'm guessing this is an issue with the particular players, since I am able to get it to play with some but not others. I'm running 10.4.5, if that matters. blu, yes, that is the correct link.

[Racer X]

No, QT won't play mpeg-2 files without the extra download component that is $20.

Oh, Peter B already said that. i will just reinforce his statement.

[blusubaru]

I only have QT Pro and the FCP plugins, and it's playing fine for me in QT.

[Racer X]

FCP Pro has the mpeg-2 component included.

[blusubaru]

Ahh... that would explain it then. Well, being an mpg2, it could be burned to a video dvd in toast and played on a television, right?