How do I play video (.avi) files?
 

I have downloaded a couple of video files. When I try to play them I get "Internal MCI Error" message in both cases as the Nero Media Player opens. So- how do I play them?

Sounds like a codecs issue. Try VLC which has in-built codecs & plays all but the odd wmv file: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ (choose nearest mirror site)

Thanks; that worked fine and I can play the movie.

I do I get VLC to open instead of Nero when I play a video file?

I also note that Nero doesn't open when I play an mp3 file and I am assuming that limewire has an audio player but not a video player. Is that correct?

Cheers,
Leo

LW's media player is simply an audio player. So if you launch/preview a video file your default video player will open & play it. If you want Nero to play your audio then go to Tools>Options>Player & untick option & press Apply button. You'll need to wait until next time you open LW before Nero will take control of audio playback.

By the way for changing default programs see: Setting Default video app Which also applies in principle to audio or any other format.

Thanks. Sort of.
BTW, I verified that Windos Media Player also plays the downloaded video, but it directed me to download a codec before it would.

It is not clear to me from your write-up how I go about getting VLC or Windows Media Player to open when I launch a video file from LW. I couldn't find the File->... tou tell me to use- and it is not clear whether that sequence is done in the LW menu or the video player menu.

Cheers,
Leo

I was refering to disabling LW's media player when I said Tools>Options>Player. Do that within LW. As far as setting up a default video app then choose whichever one you'd prefer. Do that within the desktop so to speak. Yes choose wmp but make sure you also have the 3rd party codecs & not just M$'s codecs which won't play all. If you want wmp to be default to play all video files except avi for example then choose wmp for all those formats. With VLC you can choose it just to play avi by selecting an avi file & selecting VLC as the default program. Right-click the file to find the option to open always with. Just an example.

thanks...