Thief, Vista and codec trouble

Dark Arrow on 4/8/2007 at 12:08

Sorry for making another "Movies don't work, help me out" threads, but this is unfortunetly the case. I have tried to install Thief 2 to my new laptop with Vista and I have had some issues with the movies. The movies won't run and even Windows media player won't be able to play them. Here is what I have tried and what has happened afterwards:

1. Tried running the iv5play.exe. > Later codec version found: It wouldn't install codec.

2. Downloaded newest codecs from the Circle. > They (apparently?) install but movies don't play. Neither can media player play them.

3. Tried Scrooge's fix. > Bat file runs and exits. The problem doesn't go away.

4. Tried the third option mentioned in the faq. > File found, but dllregisterserver call failed.

5. Installed xvid codec. Converted the intro video to xvid. > I can play the video in media player, but Thief 2 won't play it.

6. I tried running Thief2.exe as an administrator and with XP compatibility mode. > Nothing changed.

So my biggest issue would be the fact that the indeo codec refuses to function. I assume this is why none of the fixes work and have no change of working. However, someone in the forums said that it wouldn't matter what codec the files used as long the computer had a codec for it. Thief 2 would then be able to play the video. Is this correct? I tried it with an intro.avi converted to xvid, but it might have failed for a number of reasons I am completely unaware of.

poroshin on 6/8/2007 at 19:32

I have Vista and videos played fine right after install. Perhaps because I had this installed: (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Codec_Pack.htm) Try it and see.

Abysmal on 6/8/2007 at 23:48

You've allowed all rights to the Thief exe? Because I'm almost certain that's the problem here (same situation and that's what I did). If all else fails, disabling UAC will make them play.

Vlad Midnight on 7/8/2007 at 03:10

Even though I didnt start this thread thanks, that K-lite codec pack did the trick. I gave up on the movies a while back since Ive already seen them enough. But the default codecs this pack installs will not fix the movies. On the second time installing I checked every codec I could and that fixed the movies. It was probably the intel indeo 5 codec that did it.

poroshin on 7/8/2007 at 13:38

You're welcome. Yes, forgot to mention, check either everything or make sure Indeo 5 is selected, because by default it's not.

user1010 on 24/7/2008 at 00:47

Sorry for necromancing this post, but I feel it's important to note that I used to have the cccp project codec pack, and didn't get any thief 2 movies on vista either. Uninstalled that pack, still nothing, installed the k lite pack, still nothing.. then I uinstalled that too, and suddenly.. MOVIES!

I certainly don't get it....

Just my 0.02 euros :D

potterr on 24/7/2008 at 09:01

I think this is important and may be a good cause of issues on Vista
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control.

I haven't had any issues with Vista not running videos although I patched it to SP1 for 3 hours before installing any thief games but I don't know if that made any real difference.

noah on 25/7/2008 at 15:23

I have ffdshow installed on my Vista machine and needed to tell the program to ignore Thief.exe, Thief2.exe and Shock2.exe within the video decoder configuration menu.

Afterwards, all of the movies played beautifully.

DanielEKFA on 11/4/2009 at 09:36

I've been setting up a Gamer rig for the past few days, using Vista x64 Ultimate (have to to get that damned DX10), and I've tried (and failed) in the past to get videos working in Thief and Thief II. So, this time I even installed an additional XP partition just for the Thieves, but now I don't have to use it!

The K-Lite pack did the thing! And, for the record, I checked ONLY the "Indeo 1, 2" (no "5" anywhere on my list), and left everything else off. Installed Thief Gold, and videos show in full galore! :D

Thanks for the tip!!!

DanielEKFA on 11/4/2009 at 14:50

Uh-oh, it seems I was a bit quick there, I still had the "other" problem which is that the codec is unregistered when Thief is closed again, so that the next time, no movies :(

BUT! (http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117616) This post on the ttlg forums not only helped me fix that, I'm now also enjoying starry skies in Thief 2, everything in glorious 32-bit forced rendering, and a resolution of 1920x1200. KICK ASS!!! :D:D:D:thumb::thumb::thumb: