Enable WMP to play FLV

limneos · 22 Feb 2009

In order to let Windows Media Player to support playback of FLV, there is a simple solution in order to add and install support of FLV to WMP, without messing with ffdshow filters (Tip: actually by just installing ffdshow, WMP will support playing of FLV) . PlayFLV is capable of enable WindowsMedia Player to play FLV (Flash Video) files.
What PlayFLV does is that it installs and registers FLVSplitter by Gabest, and then binds or associates FLV files to Windows Media Player, enabling playback of FLV files by simply double-clicking on the files with .FLV extension PlayFLV setup installer will also prompt user to download and install ffdshow, required for movies in Flash 7 file format.
Features of PlayFLV

Plugin that enables Windows Media Player to playback FLV files.
Features all default functions, such as zooming, skipping and full screen view.
Creates file association: Double-click FLV files to play them in Windows Media Player.
Very lightweight plugin.
Free and open source (download source code of PlayFLV).

A quick addition with no extra player apps...

swarfega · 22 Feb 2009

or install Shark007.net - Windows 7 Codecs which will will not only install ffdshow but various other needed codecs as well. The author states that his installer does not overwrite any of the existing micrsoft codecs that come with windows 7.

limneos · 22 Feb 2009

swarfega said:

The author states that his installer does not overwrite any of the existing micrsoft codecs that come with windows 7.

In that case, I like yours better...

mhealy · 23 Feb 2009

Shark007 is a quality codec pack, very little that it won't play and super easy to setup. Especially with a dedicated Media Center it can save you a load of time.

imacken · 07 Apr 2009

I've installed Shark007 and it is great at playing flv files.
One question though, why do the flv files not show up in the 'Videos' list within WMP. I have associated flv with wmp.

johngalt · 08 Apr 2009

I think that is a limitation of the libraries right now - it is not checking to see what is associated,but what is specifically added to the libraries....and when it scans the folder it only scans for default file types...

Either that or you haven't rebooted :P

imacken · 08 Apr 2009

It's very weird. Some flvs show up and others don't. It seems to be vids downloaded from Youtube via 'www.downloadyoutubevideos.com' that don't show up in the libraries.
Interestingly, in Media Center, the files show up but when I try to play them, it says the file doesn't exist!
So, they don't appear in WMP, but it will play them via libraries in windows Explorer, and they do appear in WMC, but it won't play them!

Kittyburgers · 03 Jun 2009

Is there any chance that MS might include this feature (playing FLV files with WMP) when the final release is out? I've been using Real Player to play FLV files.

FredPinVT · 25 Nov 2009

I am using RealPlayer for my media until MS can get their media player to function like theirs. Works great and no other downloads are needed.

AngelProcesser · 25 Nov 2009

I have not used Fred's solution, but at least I trust RealPlayer to not mess my PC up...Well known group, with an eye towards a quality solution, surely tested..

Good for you, Fred...(BTW, I use Winamp for my music as it just seems to work)

I am not opposed to third party solutions, heck, that is what Windows was built for, I am however opposed to ones that are not from a trusted source.

I rep'd you!