Windows media help W/Firefox

Devoman · 12-18-2006, 01:30 PM

I usually go onto the surfing sites to check the surf in the area or area I plan to travel to.Sometimes the forum members would have movies from some sites to show everyone.My thing is that when I try to play some of them It will tell me I have to manually install a feature to play on there site.I am asking this because I know some of you all know how to fix things like this and I just really dont know what to download to make it work.I just dont want to start dsownloading all kinds of things then realize I really dont need them anymore.Thanks all.Here is a sample of what I mean.
Surfline Video: BLACKS: 12-09-06
oh...I have the new window media 11.
Thanks all.

**CanoeStream** · 12-18-2006, 01:49 PM

Hey Devo -- Nice surf video! The video's properties says it's Windows Media Video 9.

My Windows did a big auto update in early December that left my installed Firefox version dead in the water. Just now I researched Firefox updates -- I don't know that you can bet the auto-update feature will take care of everything all the time. But what worked very well for me in early December was stumbling across the beta site for Minefield, the version of Firefox that's supposed to work with Vista. Here and here. I installed Minefield and it copied across all my favorites and bookmarks. It's been working flawlessly on my Win XP system -- better than before I would say, although it's had to update about twice a week.

Pschoerrn · 12-18-2006, 01:49 PM

Devoman,

I think I can´t really help, but it works on my Laptop WindowsXP Service Pack2, Firefox 2.0 and Windows Media 10. It opens the site and the Mediaplayer without any problems or extra downloads...
I am just downloading 11 maybe it won´t work then...

Did you perform a Virus Scan lately? Don´t know if that or some sort of spyware could cause that problem, maybe it is just a Firefox thing?

Can anybody outhere help??

Bjoern

Roscinante · 12-18-2006, 01:53 PM

Worked fine on my home computer - XP PRO, MSMedia 11, and using both IE and Firefox (I use both).

Devoman · 12-18-2006, 01:58 PM

I am checking into it more.Hopefully it is something blocking it and I just need to open it up.

SafeHarbor · 12-18-2006, 07:58 PM

Well, here's one thing to do. Go here

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/extensions/

and do a search for "IE Tab."

This is neat - when you find a page that doesn't work quite right, right-click the background and choose "View page in IE tab." It will then start Internet Explorer in a Firefox tab and load the same page.

Norton Anti-virus is even smart enough to notice that you've started IE.

Dunno why my Firefox loads that page and your's doesn't, but I suspect it might be something going on in Internet Explorer settings.

Lamar

overlander63 · 12-18-2006, 08:16 PM

I just downloaded Minefield (no guts, no glory) and your video works fine in it.

flitzwhopper · 12-19-2006, 07:52 AM

Devoman,
This may be similar to when my wife calls and says the truck is dead..... Even though I know that she is a capable woman, I have to ask "does it have gas?". It always gets the same response... "what... do you think I am an idiot"... my response is the same, "no dear I just have to start at the beginning... sort of a check list""
So.... when you get the download dialog box, is it Firefox asking you if you want to download the content or is Firefox asking you to download a plugin? The difference is essential. Firefox is much more secure than IE for a number of reasons but some of the security stuff isn't necessary for most folks. If it is asking if you want to download the content, you can turn that off in Tools. If it is asking about a plug in, you'll want to keep that. Although it is rare that a temporary video clip would have malicious code, you need a anti-virus program to make sure. Downloading plugins from anywhere other than the well known software providers - Microsoft, Real, Adobe etc... is a bad idea. Plugins execute on your machine and when malicious can ruin your day. If you can give me the contents of your dialog box, I can give you some specific advice.
Thanks

Mike

myoung · 12-19-2006, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devoman

Sometimes the forum members would have movies from some sites to show everyone.My thing is that when I try to play some of them It will tell me I have to manually install a feature to play on there site.I am asking this because I know some of you all know how to fix things like this and I just really dont know what to download to make it work.I just dont want to start dsownloading all kinds of things then realize I really dont need them anymore.Thanks all.Here is a sample of what I mean.
Surfline Video: BLACKS: 12-09-06
oh...I have the new window media 11.
Thanks all.

On the site that you have linked, there is a choice of video formats. If you are having trouble with Windows Media, perhaps you should try Quicktime. Quicktime is available for Windows and powers many videos on web sites. I have no trouble at all viewing the videos on that site with my Mac running Safari or Firefox browsers. Try it, you may like it.

Devoman · 12-19-2006, 08:39 AM

Yea.That is what it is asking me to do is download Quicktime.I went through the whole thing with downloading the short video to see if it works and it does but it just wont play these streaming ones on this site.I guess I will download the quicktime.Wish there was a way to use the media.It would make it a whole lot easier.

myoung · 12-19-2006, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devoman

Wish there was a way to use the media.It would make it a whole lot easier.
[/LEFT]

Get a ... to make your computer experience a whole lot easier.

**CanoeStream** · 12-19-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myoung

Get a ... to make your computer experience a whole lot easier.

3 letters... Sounds like...? But Mike, I already have a GMC!

Terry -- Minefield seems much more stable. Firefox would always bomb with my dad's & father-in-law's websites for their WWII military groups -- always had to go back to IE for them. Minefield? No problem mon...

flitzwhopper · 12-19-2006, 05:28 PM

Devoman,
Okay... here is the next diagnosis point... In Firefox you'll want to go into Tools - Options and look at the Content tab and click on the file type button. That will bring up the download action dialog box. You should have a set of file types and what action is taken when the file type is encountered. Usually, Windows media player is associated with most of the windows video file types (extensions). You will see Adobe Acrobat and maybe Quick Time. Installing a plug in will register the file types associated with it and whether it opens it automatically or asks you first. Next time you get the download pointer - see what the file type mapping is for Firefox.
btw... even Apples require file type mappings in the browsers... no rest for the wicked.
If you are still in need... don't hesitate to post back here
Regards
Mike