Windows 7: Mkv Thumbnails and File Types

I would recommend Sharks Codec pack.

For 64bit systems:
You can enable the DivX Splitter in the 64BITportion of the packages.
You can disable it on the 32bit side as it does not affect MKV thumbs in explorer.

For 32bit systems, it needs to be enabled on the 32bit side.

The will render MKV Thumbnails. Works every time, no black boxes.

Note: You may need to force thumb to be regenerated. Clear the thumb cache (Disk Cleanup or Ccleaner) after you enable it and regenerate thumbs.



I always disable it after it generates thumbs.
The DivX splitter can cause some 5.1 sound to be played back as Stereo in WMC.

On 32bit you can get the exact same result as the DivX or Shark007 codec pack (Shark includes the DivX MKV thumbnailer) without actually installing any codecs or players. This is good if you're totally happy with the way everything works except for not having MKV thumbnails.

Download Shark007's Codec Pack.

We aren't going to install this. We only need three files from it.

Run the Win7codecs_v262.exe setup and click OK on the language selection screen.

Do NOT click NEXT when the InstallShield wizard appears

Go to your temp directory (type %temp% in an explorer address bar)

You'll find a directory called something like {67230314-E2C3-4091-842C-D9DC92796E93} (it's different every time) with a Win7codecs.msi in it.

Open an elevated command prompt in this directory and execute

msiexec /a Win7codecs.msi /qb TARGETDIR=c:\sharktemp

Close the command prompt and then CANCEL the Shark007 installation.

Go to c:\sharktemp

Copy the 3 files from C:\sharktemp\program files\Win7codecs\filters

DivXMFSource.dll
DivXPropertyHandler.dll
DivXThumbnailProvider.dll

to somewhere meaningful. I put them in the same ProgramFiles directory as the Haali Matroska Splitter since that made sense to me, but anywhere on your system drive that you won't accidentally delete them will do.

Now open an elevated command prompt in the directory where you copied the files and run

regsvr32 /s DivXMFSource.dll
regsvr32 /s DivXPropertyHandler.dll
regsvr32 /s DivXThumbnailProvider.dll

Done. MKV files will (hopefully) now be thumbnailed and have useful info in the 'Details' property sheet but you haven't got a whole load of cruft installed that you don't need. A reboot and/or thumbnail cache clear out may or may not be necessary. I didn't need to do either.

Delete c:\sharktemp

To uninstall simply execute (elevated command prompt wherever the files are)

regsvr32 /u DivXMFSource.dll
regsvr32 /u DivXPropertyHandler.dll
regsvr32 /u DivXThumbnailProvider.dll

I had to update the MKV file extension in the reg so that the shell would use the divx thumbnail handler. After updating the last two entries, the image extraction started and the property pane showed proper details.
Thanks for the tip.


******************************************
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mkv]
@="MKVFile"
"Content Type"="video/x-matroska"
"PerceivedType"="video"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mkv\OpenWithList]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mkv\OpenWithProgIds]
"WMP11.AssocFile.MKV"=hex(0):
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mkv\PersistentHandler]
@=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mkv\ShellEx]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mkv\ShellEx\{BB2E617C-0920-11D1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{83238FAE-D346-4E12-8734-D42F7554B3E6}"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mkv\ShellEx\{e357fccd-a995-4576-b01f-234630154e96}]
@="{83238FAE-D346-4E12-8734-D42F7554B3E6}"

**********************************************

The gentleman is correct, new DivX tech delivers thumbnail shell extensions for .mkv files

QUOTE
This technology preview introduces support for DivX Plus HD (.mkv) video in applications using the Microsoft Media Foundation, a new framework introduced in Windows 7. The package includes a native version of the DivX MKV Demux as well as shell extensions that provide thumbnail images and detailed file information for files with either ".divx" (DivX 6) or ".mkv" (DivX Plus) extensions for an enhanced experience.
UNQUOTE

DivX Plus Tech Preview: MKV on Windows 7 | DivX Labs

<http://labs.divx.com/mkvwin7preview>

Regards....Mike Connor

Just a word of advice that will keep you out of codec hell,
DO NOT install anything from DivX if you are using the Shark007 Codecs.

If you require assistance with playback, post for help on the Shark007 forums.

Excellent Tip!
This took a bit of tweaking and trial & error before i got this working on Windows 7 SP1 (64-bit), but i finally got it working.

I had to associate with WMP in Control Panel.
i did try "MKV's" suggestion but it did not work.

Nothing against Shark, but im a minimalist and stay away from Codec Packs.

If you're not fussy about installing the DivX codec pack, then give it a try because I got my mkv thumbnails to show a preview after I installed it. I'm using CCCP to play my files.

Hello. I know nothing about what you folks are posting about but would like to learn. You all are doing all this to accomplish what? I watch movies all the time just using Windows 7 built in programs. I watch movies on Hulu all the time and I got 30 or 40 movie cd's bought from Walmart. It all seams to work well. If I can do it better I surly would like to.

When you have "non-standard" file types such as ".mkv" saved in your storage deivce, Windows 7 will not generate a preview image as a thumbnail for the files you have. What we were doing was trying to get Windows 7 to generate the thumbnail. What you are doing now is fine so what were doing doesn't apply to or help you.

I have a similar problem... sort of.

I had .mkv thumbnails working just fine until recently.

The only media players I use are DivX and MpcStar, which have been installed for several months now.

.mkv thumbnails were not working at all until about a month ago, then suddenly when browsing my folder, all the thumbnails popped up. Yesterday, I renamed one of the movies in my folder and the thumbnail disappeared, all the other thumbnails remain intact however.

If anyone can explain what the heck is happening here, I'd really appreciate it!