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

• 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.

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 Windows 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:

Q175846 NetShow Theater Server Bug Report Form

Additional query words:

Keywords :
Version : WINDOWS:3.0
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb