H.264 decoder and XP Professional

[Orrhias]

I finally got a home PC running XP Pro a week ago. Every time I try to play a TV show, movie, etc., I get a popup saying to either install Flash (not happening!), or H.264 decoder. This post will be entirely focused on the latter. So far as Google searches can tell me, it appears none of the browsers that run on XP Pro can handle it, so I have refined my efforts to non-browser solutions. So far, this seems the most practical:
https://www.videolan.org/developers/x264.html
As a newbie I'm not understanding much, other than to "Download x264" and incorporate it into the VLC Player. As I have SRIron browser, I doubt downloading it will be a problem, as this browser has a great downloader component, but I got no clue how to meld it into the VLC (yes, I'm that much of a newbie). Been stuck using the library computers for quite a few years, and they don't let you do much...no downloading software, messing with files, burning CD/DVD, or little else. Can anyone 'baby-step' me through the process? Since kicking Comcast out, I have not watched TV for about six months, so I'm getting antsy!

 

[XavierMace]

Internet + XP = Bad.

IIRC, there's a codec pack out there that will install H.264 codecs on XP. You would be far better off upgrading to a more modern OS.

 

[nemesismk2]

you should try vlc media player which works with windows xp and is the best open source player.

i use firefox with vlc media player with windows xp.

just checked again and for windows xp you will need Firefox ESR 52 which will get updates until june 2018. i best go do some work now.

just tried it with windows xp and it works but please upgrade to another windows eventually.

 

[Orrhias]

you should try vlc media player which works with windows xp and is the best open source player.

i use firefox with vlc media player with windows xp.

just checked again and for windows xp you will need Firefox ESR 52 which will get updates until june 2018. i best go do some work now.

just tried it with windows xp and it works but please upgrade to another windows eventually.

I already have VLC (which is why I gave that link), but its not what I would call newbie-friendly. Could be quite awhile til I can figure out how to work it, meld the H.264 into it, and so on. Frankly I'm seriously thinking of installing MPC-HC to see if it's any easier. Cannot stand Firefox...tried three different versions and uninstalled all within couple days. You must have a lot of patience to deal with its constant whining about 'security certificates'. I'll admit I had the same problem with other browsers (Maxthon, Flock, Pale Moon, etc.). Too many browsers desperate to be my Nanny! Thankfully I had the foresight to make IObit Uninstaller the first software I downloaded. Of the eleven browsers I tried, only Comodo IceDragon, SRWare Iron, Slimjet, Whitehat Aviator, and Browzar remain.

Sorry, not happening. I intentionally got a used PC on Ebay that had XP Pro. Would not touch another Microsoft version. I'll be playing with various Linux distros over the next few years...we will see if anything comes of that.

 

[XavierMace]

Running an obsolete OS and trying to get it to perform modern tasks is far less newbie friendly than VLC.

 

[nemesismk2]

the reason i mentioned Firefox ESR 52 because lots of people with windows xp use this version of firefox which will have a little support until june 2018

 

[Orrhias]

So for the benefit of any other XP users that may stumble upon this thread in the future, I have found how to run h.264 on windows XP Pro:
http://wp.xin.at/archives/4059
If you follow the instructions exactly, at some point you will hit a 'roadblock', which caused me to think the above link was bogus. Not so. The ever resourceful Elizabeth (at xpforums.com) found the workaround:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1168309
You can test to make sure your end result works here:
https://www.quirksmode.org/html5/tests/video.html

 

[Orrhias]

the reason i mentioned Firefox ESR 52 because lots of people with windows xp use this version of firefox which will have a little support until june 2018

Well, when my tech guy comes by for the monthly housecall, I may have him put Firefox ESR 52 (or another edition) on flash drive, and see about doing the procedure outlined in post #7. Maybe it will not be so fixated on 'security certificates' if I just use it to watch H.264 videos. Doubt I'd ever actually install Firefox again though. No idea how other people stand it. Guess they found some way to shut it up. I note that the Firefox on the library computers never whines about security certificates (but it does crash at least once an hour), so there must be a way.