I don't think its the codec any more I was using ffdshow_beta7_rev3154_20091209 which has a good encoder for making *.AVi container files using XVID codec.
But after this thumbnail problem started Windows reported the crash being due to ffdshow and My encoder no longer appears in the choices for encoding My videos as if MS removed or blocked it.
So now I have installed the stand alone XVID codec it shows up on the list of encoders and decodes standard AVI, MP4, MKV, files.
But as for the 3D files compressed with AVC-1 mp4 the thumbnail/com surrogate/host.dll still pull their antics.
By the way here is a link to an MS page that shows about mp4
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd757808(v=vs.85).aspx
It may be helpful to you also if You want to know more about the codec's on your system and trouble shoot video file play back look up a freeware program called GSpot it can tell you what combinations of codec's splitters and or filters a file has used or needs to play correctly.