Windows Media Player Cannot Open nsm://servername/title.mpg

ID: Q193522

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft NetShow Theater Server version 3.0

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to render an MPEG video stream from NetShow Theater Server using the Windows Media Player, you may receive the following error message:

   Windows media Player cannot open "nsm://servername/title.mpg" Please
   verify that the path and filename are correct and try again.

Clicking the Details button displays the following error code: 800C000D

CAUSE

The following is a list of possible causes as to why this problem may occur:

1. The basic network between the Windows Media Player client and the

   NetShow Theater Server are not functioning properly.

2. Network stability, NetBIOS Name Resolution, and Windows NT user

   privileges.

3. An MPEG file that cannot be decoded by the Windows Media Player.

4. Using the wrong syntax in the Windows Media Player.

5. Using a version of the Windows Media Player that does not include the

   NetShow Theater Server decode filter.

RESOLUTION

The following provides a resolution for each of the causes listed above:

1. Client-to-server network connectivity:

   Test the basic network by using ping from the content server(s) to the
   rendering client. Set the send buffer size (-l option) to 16384 bytes
   (the default window size for NetShow Theater Server), and turn on the
   continuous ping option -t to verify that the number of request-timed-
   out responses are minimal. To stop the pings, type Ctrl-C where the
   ping was started. The following is an example:

      ping -t -l 16384 MyClient

2. Network stability, NetBIOS name resolution, and user privileges:

   Complete a NET USE * \\MyTitleServer\C$ command from your rendering
   client. Then copy any large file from the client to the title server
   drive letter that was designated by the NET USE * \\MyTitleServer\C$
   command. This verifies the basic network stability, NetBIOS Name
   Resolution, and proper Windows NT Administrator user privileges from
   the user account logged on at the rendering client system to the title
   server.

3. A properly encoded MPEG file that can be decoded by the Windows Media

   Player:

   Copy the .mpg file to the client hard disk. Open Windows Explorer and
   double-click the .mpg file. If the file does not play, then there is a
   problem with the installation of the Windows Media Player or the
   encoding of the MPEG file. Try playing one of the sample MPEG files
   included on your Theater Server installation media. Uninstall and
   reinstall the Windows Media Player.

4. Verify that you are using the following syntax and process to open a

   file stream from your NetShow Theater Server installation:

   Start Windows Media Player. On the File menu, click Open. Type nsm:// 
   followed by the name of the title server and the name of the file you
   want to play (for example: nsm://MyTitleServer/MyFile.mpg). Double
   check the title server name and the .mpg file name. Before loading it
   onto NetShow Theater Server, you can rename the .mpg file with a
   shorter name if this is easier.

5. Verify that the copy of the Windows Media Player installed on the

   rendering client system has the NetShow Theater Server decode filter:

   The Microsoft NetShow Theater and DirectShow filter is Qnspro.dll,
   located in the default installation directory of C:\Program
   Files\Windows Media Player\. The version on the file should be
   3.0.0.2700. The Windows Media Player that includes the NetShow Theater
   Server decode filter can be obtained from your released NetShow Theater
   Server 3.0 media in the Microsoft Media Player directory. It can also
   be obtained from the NetShow Theater Server Web site at:

      http://www.microsoft.com/theater/.

   The current name of this download file is Mpfull.exe.

MORE INFORMATION

Review the NetShow Theater Server FAQ at http://www.microsoft.com/Theater/faq.htm for any additional updates or troubleshooting tips on this issue.

If these suggestions do not resolve your issue please complete a NetShow Theater Issue/Bug report form before you open a Service Request with Microsoft Product Support Services. The form is available from the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q175846
   TITLE     : NetShow Theater Server Bug Report Form

Keywords          :  
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb
Solution Type     : kbpending

Last Reviewed: October 3, 1998