ChessBase 18 Media Player Issue in Windows 10

When I was struggling to play course videos in ChessBase 18, Fritz 19 and ChessBase Reader 17, Grok came to my rescue with a complete list of options below. By installing Codec pack and unhide the legacy Windows Media Player, the problem was finally solved. 

Solutions to Fix the Issue

1. Install a Codec Pack

MP4 playback in WMP requires specific codecs (MPEG-4 for video, AAC for audio). If these are missing or outdated, ChessBase may fail to play the videos.

•  Steps:

1.  Download a trusted codec pack like the K-Lite Codec Pack (Standard or Basic) from the official website (https://codecguide.com/download_klite_codec_pack.htm).

•  Avoid unverified third-party sites to prevent malware.

2.  Install the codec pack, selecting the option to integrate with Windows Media Player.

3.  Restart your computer.

4.  Open ChessBase 18 and try playing the MP4 video again.

•  Configure WMP for Automatic Codec Updates:

1.  Open WMP.

2.  Go to Tools > Options > Player tab.

3.  Check Download codecs automatically and click OK.

4.  Try playing the video in ChessBase again; if prompted to install a codec, click Install.

2. Update or Reinstall Windows Media Player

Although you have WMP 11, a Windows update may have disrupted its functionality with ChessBase. Reinstalling or ensuring the latest version (WMP 12 is standard in Windows 10) can help.

•  Steps to Reinstall WMP:

1.  Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2.  Go to Apps > Optional features (or Programs > Turn Windows features on or off in Control Panel).

3.  Expand Media Features, uncheck Windows Media Player, and click OK. Restart your PC to remove WMP.

4.  Return to Optional features, recheck Windows Media Player, and click OK. Restart again to reinstall.

5.  Open ChessBase 18 and test video playback.

3. Run the Windows Video Playback Troubleshooter

Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter that can fix WMP-related issues.

•  Steps:

1.  Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2.  Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

3.  Find Video Playback and click Run.

4.  Follow the on-screen instructions and restart your PC.

5.  Test the video in ChessBase 18.

4. Check MP4 File Compatibility

The MP4 files in ChessBase may use codecs unsupported by WMP 11 or ChessBase’s embedded player (e.g., HEVC instead of MPEG-4).

•  Steps:

1.  Right-click an MP4 video file in ChessBase (or locate it in the ChessBase data folder, typically under C:\Program Files\ChessBase or similar).

2.  Select Properties > Details to check the video and audio codecs.

3.  If the codec is not MPEG-4 (video) or AAC (audio), convert the file to a compatible format using a tool like HandBrake (https://handbrake.fr/):

•  Download and install HandBrake.

•  Drag the MP4 file into HandBrake, select MP4 output with MPEG-4 video and AAC audio codecs.

•  Convert and replace the original file in the ChessBase folder (back up the original first).

4.  Test the converted file in ChessBase.

5. Disable DirectX Video Acceleration

DirectX Video Acceleration for WMV files can interfere with MP4 playback in WMP and embedded players like ChessBase.

•  Steps:

1.  Open WMP.

2.  Go to Organize > Options > Performance tab.

3.  Under Video Playback, uncheck Turn on DirectX Video Acceleration for WMV files.

4.  Click Apply and OK, then restart WMP.

5.  Test the video in ChessBase.

6. Use an Alternative Media Player for Testing

Since ChessBase embeds WMP, you may not be able to directly use another player like VLC within ChessBase. However, testing the MP4 files in VLC can confirm if the files are playable, isolating the issue to ChessBase or WMP.

•  Steps:

1.  Download and install VLC Media Player (https://www.videolan.org/vlc/).

2.  Locate the MP4 files used by ChessBase (check the ChessBase data folder or consult ChessBase support for file locations).

3.  Play the files in VLC. If they play, the issue is with ChessBase’s WMP integration or codecs.

4.  If VLC fails, the MP4 files may be corrupted; proceed to repair them (see below).

7. Repair Corrupted MP4 Files

If the MP4 files are corrupted, they may not play in ChessBase or WMP.

•  Steps:

1.  Use a repair tool like 4DDiG Video Repair (https://www.tenorshare.com/products/video-repair.html) or Wondershare Repairit (https://repairit.wondershare.com/).

•  Download and install the tool.

•  Import the problematic MP4 file and follow the repair instructions.

•  Export the repaired file and replace it in the ChessBase folder.

2.  Alternatively, use VLC to repair:

•  Open VLC, go to Tools > Preferences > Input/Codecs.

•  Set Damaged or incomplete AVI file to Always fix.

•  Save and try playing the MP4 file.

3.  Test the repaired file in ChessBase.

8. Check ChessBase and Windows Updates

A ChessBase or Windows update may have caused the issue. Conversely, updating ChessBase to the latest version might resolve it.

•  Steps:

1.  Open ChessBase 18 and check for updates via Help > Check for Updates or visit the ChessBase website (https://shop.chessbase.com/).

2.  Ensure Windows 10 is up to date:

•  Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

3.  Restart your PC and test video playback in ChessBase.

9. Contact ChessBase Support

If the above steps fail, ChessBase’s embedded WMP integration may have a specific issue. The ChessBase support team can provide guidance on required WMP versions or patches.

•  Steps:

1.  Visit https://support.chessbase.com/ and submit a ticket with details:

•  Windows 10 version (check via Settings > System > About).

•  ChessBase 18 version.

•  Error message (“Please install Media Player 9 or newer”).

•  Confirmation that WMP 11 plays MP4s outside ChessBase.

2.  Mention that you’ve tried codec installation and WMP reinstallation.

10. Workaround: Extract and Play Videos Externally

If ChessBase’s embedded player remains problematic, extract the MP4 files and play them in a standalone player like VLC.

•  Steps:

1.  Locate the MP4 files in the ChessBase data folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\ChessBase\Media or similar; check with ChessBase support if unsure).

2.  Copy a video file to another folder.

3.  Play it in VLC or another player to follow along with ChessBase content manually.

4.  Note: This is a workaround, not a fix, as it doesn’t resolve playback within ChessBase.

Additional Notes

•  Windows Media Player Legacy: Windows 10 includes both WMP 12 and a “Legacy” version. ChessBase may rely on the legacy version, which can be affected by updates. Reinstalling WMP (as in Step 2) often resolves this.

•  ChessBase-Specific Issue: A Chess.com forum post about ChessBase 17 on Windows 11 noted similar issues after a Windows update (24H2), suggesting ChessBase’s reliance on outdated WMP components. The issue may persist in ChessBase 18.

•  Codec Safety: Only download codecs from reputable sources like K-Lite or Microsoft to avoid malware.

•  Alternative Players: While VLC or other players work outside ChessBase, the software’s embedded WMP dependency limits their use within the program.

Recommended First Steps

Start with these for the quickest resolution:

1.  Install the K-Lite Codec Pack (Step 1).

2.  Configure WMP to download codecs automatically (Step 1).

3.  Run the Video Playback Troubleshooter (Step 3).

4.  Reinstall WMP if needed (Step 2).

If these don’t work, contact ChessBase support with detailed system information, as the issue may be specific to their software’s WMP integration.