.MTS videos on XP

I recently purchased a Sony camera and took several videos with it. I downloaded them onto my desktop undier XP-pro. I tried to view them using Windows Media (which was the default for the extension) but get nothing. The screen is blank and there is no error message.

Going to the Internet I find MTS is not compatible with XP unless I get a codec for the operating system. However there are dozens of conflicting web sites on which one to get.

Can somebody please advise me as to what to do?

Thanking you in advance very much.
Michael Dietz

 

I recommend either the KLite Full Codec Pack or the KLite Mega Codec Pack. When installing, pay attention to the options before you click "Next" each time. At some point, you'll have a choice to use Media Player Classic, Windows Media Player, or both. If you want to use Windows Media Player, be sure to check the appropriate box. A bit later in the install process, you'll be presented with a list of playback formats, both audio and video, select ALL for both audio and video. Be sure to read which media player you're setting up; if you're using both Windows Media Player and Media Player Classic, you'll have to select all audio and video formats for both players; the installer will tell you which media player you're configuring (they will be configured one after the other). I attached some screen shots from the KLite Full Pack installer to illustrate (pay attention to the red boxes and type ). Other than the shots below, you can click "Next" all the way thru the install. The Mega Pack install should be very similar, if not identical.