Hi,
avi is just a carrier file format and is used by a number of programs and devices.

What device or program created the avi files? The reading codec is part of that program or can be installed if we/you know where the files originally came from. Give more details.

Dafydd

I used 'Ulead Video Studio 8' to grab video from camera to disc, unfortunately I cannot do it again.
Video Studio 8 failed to work properly on my new pc with Windows 7 so i upgraded to Power Director 8, as the old
program was a good few years old. My camera packed up (dirty heads)while I was downloading
all the tapes to my pc and it is in for repair as the cleaning tape failed to clean the heads, but that is
another story! Hope this info is what you need........ Joey2349

Nope it doesn't help one little bit.

Analyse your avi - stick it in a software called Media Info.

best of luck

Dafydd

In case you didn't catch what Dafydd was asking for is to analyze your files and report back the codex info, probably both audio and video and resolution. MediaInfo is a free program you can find online and easily install. I have it add itself to the right click so I can right click on a video and see the details. Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
Velocity Micro
Intel Core 2 CPU 6700 @ 2.66GHz
RAM 6GB
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS v258.96
ViewSonic VX2255wm-4 dual extended display
K-Lite 32bit & 64bit
1680x1050
Windows 7 Basic background no Aero
Hitachi 400gb system dr

OK thanks. I downloaded Media Info and ran one of my video files through it.
This is the results:

Container & General Information

AVI (Open DML) (DVCPRO): 650Gib, 31mn 2s

1 Videostream: DV (Sony)
1 Audiostream: PCM (Microsoft)

First videostream
24.4 Mbps, 720*576 (4:3) at 25,000fps, DV (Sony) (PAL) (DVCPRO)

First Audio Stream

1,536 kbps, 48.0KHz, 16bits, 2 channels, PCM (Microsoft) (Little/signed)

I then clicked on the link to go to the website and ended up at microsoft website but wasn't sure how to proceed once I got there!
Can you advise me exactly what to do now? Thanks, Joey.

I might start back at the beginning and ask how your are trying to open the files as even if the Codecs was not compatible it would still list .avi files.

1) The folder icon at the top defaults to Opening Projects, so would only be looking for those files.

2) The folder icon just to the right of the Media Room icon under Capture is the Import Media icon. That is the one that you want to use to open your .avi files. Also you can drag and drop from explorer to this window. That should solve your problems.

3) If not then you need to tell us what version of Windows you are running to help you with finding the correct codecs pack to install. I have Win7 64bit and use K-lite Codecs pack, be sure to use the Codecs that matches the software (32bit for PD and if PD9 supports 64bit later you might need the 64bit version. I install both.

Make sure you choose PAL format when you export your video to match your source. Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
Velocity Micro
Intel Core 2 CPU 6700 @ 2.66GHz
RAM 6GB
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS v258.96
ViewSonic VX2255wm-4 dual extended display
K-Lite 32bit & 64bit
1680x1050
Windows 7 Basic background no Aero
Hitachi 400gb system dr

What can I say, you are an absolute star! It works, and that was what I was doing wrong all along. Thank you so much, I really appreciate your help Ken. Also Dafydd, thank you too. Joey.