The images in an .avi file are distorted when you view the .avi file in a PowerPoint presentation

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SYMPTOMS

When you view an Audio Video Interleaved (AVI) movie file in a Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 presentation or in a Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 presentation, the images in the .avi file are distorted.

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CAUSE

This issue may occur if the .avi file requires a codec that is not installed on the computer.

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WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, use one or more of the following methods, as appropriate for the version of PowerPoint that you are running.

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Method 1 (for PowerPoint 2003 or PowerPoint2007): Install the required codec

To view the .avi file correctly, download and install the required codec. To download the required codec, visit the following Web sites:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/format/codecdownload.aspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/format/codecdownload.aspx)
http://www.divx.com (http://www.divx.com)
http://www.codec-download.com (http://www.codec-download.com)
http://www.free-codecs.com (http://www.free-codecs.com)
http://www.xvidmovies.com/codec (http://www.xvidmovies.com/codec)

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

After you install the codec, insert the .avi file in a blank presentation. Then, determine whether you can view the .avi file correctly.

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Method 2 (for PowerPoint 2003 only): Use Microsoft Producer 2003 for PowerPoint 2003

Use Microsoft Producer 2003 for PowerPoint 2003 to modify the .avi file to use a standard codec. After you modify and save the .avi file, insert the .avi file in a blank presentation. Then, determine whether you can view the .avi file correctly.

For more information about Producer 2003 for PowerPoint 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b3c76d5-fc75-4f99-94bc-784919468e73 (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b3c76d5-fc75-4f99-94bc-784919468e73)

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MORE INFORMATION

A codec is an algorithm, or scheme, that is used to record digital video or digital audio. For example, when you transmit video over the Internet, the video must be compressed when it is sent and then decompressed when it is received. The codec that is used for an .avi file is selected based on the following preferences:

Audio quality
Image quality
Image size

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

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