Playback of .mpg recording from DVR's HDD fromatted to ext2 within Windows

I have a DVR that uses ext2 for it's HDD. I have a ext2 driver loaded on my Windows PC (XP Pro w/sp3) that allows me to see the drive and see the folders and files.
I have tried Media Player Classic & KM Player, both have been reported to play these recordings, but here they don't. Either I get memory errors with one program when trying to play the recording or the other program crashes the O/S.

But, I have found Media Player Class Home Cinema will play these recording with no issue.
BTW, these are OTA (over the air) recordings that are not encrypted.

Is this a codec problem or something else?

 

Could be a codec problem, take a look at

http://www.cccp-project.net/

Could be unsupported format for the player. Generally MPC and VLC will play everything, so stick to those.

 

Why are there so many codecs and what seems a equal number of "packages"??

Do most of these software programs include their own set of codecs?

 

Yes, VLC for example has pretty much every codec 'built in'.

 

Then why doesn't it work with VLC??

 

Because VLC can't play literally everything - I did say "generally".

Have a look at this, it may be of some use.

What does VLC say when you try to play it, or does it freeze etc

 

Nothing, it just doesn't play.