Best solution in 2023 to the classic "missing MPEG2 Codec" issue

Will the new 64 bit version of Shark007 fix this?

https://www.stardock.com/products/deskscapes/faq
from Stardock Forums

Hi Stardock and fellow Deskscape users,

please advise:

as of March 2023, and with using Windows 10 Pro 64 bit, what is the simplest and recommended solution to the notorious and classic "missing MS MPEG2 Codec" issue, as referred to at https://www.stardock.com/products/deskscapes/faq ... I seem to remember in years past I had success using the Shark007 Codecs pack with this issue; but I may be wrong about that. I think that worked in the past, but I'm not certain. And it may have been a 32 bit pack at the time.

Is this still a recommended solution? Or is there an easier method to get MPEG2 Dreams to work on 64 bit Win 10?

I must be missing something, but using NirSoft's InstalledCodec. reveals I do have msmpeg2vdec.dll sitting in my System32 and SysWOW64 folders, and InstalledCodec reports the same Filter Merit of 0x005fffff and pretty much identical details as per your FAQ. Yet the MPEG2 Dreams still refuse to load.

Please advise which is the easiest solution to this.

Shark007 seems to have moved to a strictly 64bit ONLY distribution model now; is that likely to work, or can you suggest something else?

I do hope you, or some experienced Deskscapes users, can help me with this.

I've searched the Forum but I must have missed the recommended solution if there is one. The FAQ page refers, I suppose, mostly to Windows 7 and is a tad out of date; perhaps there is a simple, recommended 2023 solution? I sure hope so.

Best wishes from Fremantle, Western Australia

deskscapes
71,700 views 24 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
I have forwarded your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The K-Lite codec pack will correct the problem;, I was having issues with some older dreams that were giving the error and once I installed the pack, all is good.

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Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

K-lite didn't work for me (Though it worked before, so I dunno wtf is going on) and neither is the LAV filter one, I'm getting pretty pissed, I've installed them all multiple times now...

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting scheuerman21, reply 5

K-lite didn't work for me (Though it worked before, so I dunno wtf is going on) and neither is the LAV filter one, I'm getting pretty pissed, I've installed them all multiple times now...

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Please try purge and reinstall steps as mention here : [Link]. Just make sure to redownload the latest version from your account page. Reboot after the purge. Reinstall and reboot again after the installation. Retest and report back here.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

 

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting scheuerman21, reply 7

Same result, no decoder found, yet Windows says mpeg2 is already installed

Is the issue on specific Dreams or you're not able to use any dreams?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Please list one that don't work, so that I can verify it on my system.

Also, need to know.

  1. Windows 10/11 full build number. Use Winver.exe
  2. DeskScapes full version number.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

The ones that aren't working (Though they have in the past) are:

Aphrodite's Necklace, Blue Intensity, Earth V1, and Rage.

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

In settings try one of the 3 options you see here in the image , one may work right for you.

Myself KLite Mega Pk. does work for me 

 

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Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Unrelated, while I have the latest update of Deskscapes, mine looks nothing like yours, pic below

Edit: It's because you're using 11 and I'm using 10

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting scheuerman21, reply 14

Unrelated, while I have the latest update of Deskscapes, mine looks nothing like yours, pic below

Edit: It's because you're using 11 and I'm using 10

Please try purge and reinstall steps as mention here : [Link]. Just make sure to redownload the latest version from your account page. Reboot after the purge. Reinstall and reboot again after the installation. Retest and report back here.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi scheuerman21

I perfectly understand your frustration, but should you reconsider, there are a coulple of things you could check out. Do you by any chance have the mpeg-2 video extension from Microsoft Store installed? If you do, uninstall it. It's this one from the store:

Many users have encountered issues with video playback/screensavers after installing it.

You could also make a fresh (important) install of the K-lite codec pack to make sure all settings for the decoders are reset to the defaults.

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Jazz can you check with Neil for  this one , please ..

Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top

I did suggested for cleanboot, have you tried those? Or, try Windows Sandbox : https://forums.stardock.com/485954/deskscapes-support-faq#Sandbox

Quoting AzDude, reply 22

Jazz can you check with Neil for  this one , please ..

I will forward it once I know more from the Cleanboot or Sandbox test result.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant