No video on mpg files WIndows 8 Media Player.

I have Windows 8.1 standard, and will need to pay about $100 for upgrading to Windows 8 Pro. So I searched on Google and tried the following Codec pack for Windows Media Player, and now it plays .mpg videos:

http://download.cnet.com/Windows-8-Codec-Pack/3000-13632\_4-75871449.html

It came out in February 2013, has 1 review on Cnet that says it does not work at all, and when I installed it it wanted to shovel spyware on my system.  (Why I don't go to Cnet anymore).   But I have to say Microsoft MVP recommending freeware VLC player is refreshing.  VLC works okay but it is a little rough around the edges and not user friendly, although it does a lot if you like to fiddle with the knobs.

If you try the cnet codec, watch for out for this, and click the I decline (to be infected) button on the bottom left.  I'll give it a whirl.  But the codec will not play DVD unless you have the media player.

Other possible Codec pack (installed and solved issue watching a "funny" Mpeg format) ==> http://download.cnet.com/K-Lite-Mega-Codec-Pack/3000-13632\_4-10794603.html

Used this Codec to solve my issue.  Make sure you read what your installing (decline all offers after the codec download don't next thru them as most do, also the install process has a set to change your home page, free programs, etc).   Everything opens normally with windows media player, but will end up getting the media center  when it becomes a benefit for my surface. I use windows 7 on another tablet for my Media Center to TV.

That solution works for you because you have Windows 7. It does not work for Windows 8/8.1.

The reason is explained in the following quote taken from the Microsoft's site which someone sent me:

"MPEG-2 format video isn't supported by default on Windows 8.1. It is supported in Windows 8.1 Pro with Windows Media Center. If you're running Windows 8.1 and you want to use MPEG-2 format videos, you should upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro with Windows Media Center, or install a third-party MPEG-2 video decoder solution."

I have Windows 8.1 and did not pay the extra money to buy the Windows 8.1 Pro version.

As a consequence, I can neither play MPEG-2 files in Windows Media Player nor edit them with Windows Movie Maker.

To play MPEG-2 files, I use a media player that the computer manufacturer pre-installs together with the OS. But there are free alternatives in the Internet. I know of "Media Player Classic - Home Cinema", which is free and does not carry malware (at least, when I downloaded it).

For editing and film making, I bought an expensive commercial program. I do not know if there are free or cheap alternatives.

This problem does not arise for MPEG-1 files, because they are still upported in Windows 8.1.

They have the same extension as the MPEG-2 files (.mpg) and this may cause some confusion. To know if a specific file made by others is MPEG-1 or MPEG-2, I use a free and malware free piece of software called MediaInfo.

Hi, I had the same problem, I fixed it by installing this windows 8 codec pac:

http://download.cnet.com/Windows-8-Codec-Pack/3000-13632\_4-75871449.html

I hope you find it usefull!