media center not working in windows 7

[WindieDragon]

I have some recorded files that I want to watch (they were recorded on the Media Center of another machine running windows 7), but I keep getting the message: "Video Error. Files needed to display video are not installed or are not working correctly. Restart Windows Media Center or restart the computer" when I try to open the file. Obviously, if the restarting had helped I wouldn't be here. I also used to have the "TV and video may not work as expected because the video card does not meet the minimum memory requirements of 64 MB of video ram" warning but it doesn't appear anymore. I don't think I did anything to make it go away though o.o...

From all the googling I've done today, I remember something about uninstalling the video driver that guest additions gives you, but I have no idea where to go to do that.

I have two graphics cards: nvidia GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT. I even did the auto-driver-detect thing on nvidia's site, and it said that VB was the maker of the currently installed driver.
The host is a macbookpro os X Leopard.

And it really sucks because everything else is working perfectly: audio, USB and CD mounting, sharing folders, internet connection, and even pressure sensitivity on my tablet. D:

[Sasquatch]

MCE requires some advanced graphics, just like Aero. If you don't have 3D enabled for the Guest and installed the GA with 3D support (best to install it from safe mode to prevent system files from restoring, breaking the 3D support). I won't give you much chance to get it working, because 3D is still experimental and not all features are working (hence no aero). If you want to view the files, open them with WMP or on your host directly.

[WindieDragon]

MCE requires some advanced graphics, just like Aero. If you don't have 3D enabled for the Guest and installed the GA with 3D support (best to install it from safe mode to prevent system files from restoring, breaking the 3D support). I won't give you much chance to get it working, because 3D is still experimental and not all features are working (hence no aero). If you want to view the files, open them with WMP or on your host directly.

I see. I didn't install it in safe mode, so I'll have to try that. Do I need to uninstall them before I do that though? And will my already set up sound drivers and sharing folders still be there if I do uninstall and reinstall?

Watching these recorded files was one of the reasons I got windows 7 and VB in the first place. They are recorded in a format that only Windows 7 Media Center recognizes (already tried playing them on Vista's Media Center and that didn't work). So unless someone knows of a converter or plugin for .wtv files for mac, I'm stuck with trying to get them running on VB

[WindieDragon]

Err sorry, I didn't read that thoroughly enough, about using media player. It seems to be a worse quality, but it'll do . thanks, I can't believe I didn't think of that earlier... I'll still be trying to get WMC to work though.

[Sasquatch]

Maybe you'll find this post useful: http://www.ghacks.net/2009/01/18/converting-wtv-files/
Read the comments too, quite useful if you want to change the files from the crappy MS proprietary junk.

[RalphFFM]

Hello. I am having the same (or appears to be) problem.
No real answer could be given here that is why I am reposting to this thread.

I too have the error: "Video Error. Files needed to display video are not installed or are not working correctly.
Restart Windows Media Center or restart the Computer." when trying to play videos or streams in the
Windows Media Center (WMC).

I need the virtual environment as a development and test area for WMC apps.

I have installed Virtualbox with Win 7 Ultimate with SP1 32 bit onto a host OS running Win 8.1 64 bit.
I too have a Nvidia Geforce graphics Card. The Card is a 9600 GTX+ updated with the newest driver.

In the Virtualbox configuration I have tried all possible video and audio configurations I can think of.

Any ideas?

[loukingjr]

Any ideas?

I just tested my Windows 7 guest and Windows Media Center is playing videos without a problem. Is Aero working in your guest? if not, you didn't install the guest additions properly.

[RalphFFM]

Thanks.
I uninstalled the Guest Additions and reinstalled in Safe Mode.
I ensured that the Checkbox for 3D and Aero was checked by the Installation.

After installing, I troubleshooted Aero-effects from the Desktop->Personalize GUI.
Here I was told that my graphics card does not support Aero.
Device Manager shows the Virtualbox Graphics Adapter.

Windows 8.1 on the host, naturally does not have Aero. But my card certainly can support the Overhead and WMC works on the host.

[loukingjr]

Thanks.
I uninstalled the Guest Additions and reinstalled in Safe Mode.
I ensured that the Checkbox for 3D and Aero was checked by the Installation.

After installing, I troubleshooted Aero-effects from the Desktop->Personalize GUI.
Here I was told that my graphics card does not support Aero.
Device Manager shows the Virtualbox Graphics Adapter.

Windows 8.1 on the host, naturally does not have Aero. But my card certainly can support the Overhead and WMC works on the host.

first, the guest additions should not be installed in safe mode in Windows 7 or 8 or 8.1.
the problem is not your card. I'm not sure what you mean by "I ensured that the Checkbox for 3D and Aero was checked by the Installation.". I have nothing to check for Aero in the guest settings in VirtualBox. Make sure when installing the guest additions you check Direct3D and when it says 3D support is experimental and asks if you want to install DirectX instead you choose no.

[RalphFFM]

@loukingjr: Thanks. That solved it. Everything works.

[loukingjr]

@loukingjr: Thanks. That solved it. Everything works.

most welcome.

[N0YB]

Have this same problem here. No matter how I install Guest Additions; in safe mode, not in safe mode, basic 3d, or wddm for aero. It always says the graphics card does not support aero and WMC will not play videos. WMC says the files needed are missing, not installed or something to that effect... restart ...

VB 4.3.10
Host: Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit on Intel NUC 3217 IYE
Guest: Windows 7.1 Ultimate 32-Bit SP1 (tried with all Windows Updates Applied and with None Applied)

Can't get Aero to work and can't get WMC to play videos.

Have tried so many permutations it's getting blurry.
Please help me out.
Thanks

[loukingjr]

Have this same problem here.

actually your problem is not quite the same because what I said to do worked for Ralph. first if you installed the guest additions in safe mode you have to remove them in safe mode. Aero nor WMC will not work without the WDDM driver. You need to make sure the guest additions are removed both in safe mode and in normal mode then start again. Make sure both 3D and 2D are checked in VirtualBox for the Windows 7 guest. If there is still something wrong and Aero and WMC are not working you may have a bad .iso or DVD of Windows 7.

[N0YB]

My meaning of "same problem here" is that media center is not working in windows 7. Per the thread subject. Not that the root cause is exactly the same.

Anyway...

Uninstalled the guest additions from both safe mode and normal mode. Then installed guest additions with Direct3D (WDDM for Aero, not basic 3D) in normal mode. No improvement. Both 3D and 2D acceleration is selected in Virtualbox Win7 guest settings.

Using the ISO downloaded from MSDN, and have verified the SHA1 hash is correct. So don't think it is the ISO.

Windows 7 Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (x86) - DVD (English)
File Name: en_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x86_dvd_u_677460.iso
SHA1: 65FCE0F445D9BF7E78E43F17E441E08C63722657

I'm open to idea's, but about ready to give up. Just not sure it's worth much more effort.

Thanks

[loukingjr]

I'm open to idea's, but about ready to give up. Just not sure it's worth much more effort.
Thanks

I think your problem may be because of the "Intel NUC 3217 IYE". VirtualBox may not be able to run correctly on it. Someone else may have a better idea.