Troubleshoot playback problems
In order to import and decode video, Microsoft Expression Encoder uses video filters installed with your Windows operating system, and also certain third-party video filters. Expression Encoder is fully compatible with most default Windows codecs. However, your computer may also have third-party filters installed on it that conflict with the performance of Expression Encoder. You can disable incompatible filters so that they cannot interfere with your work.
Also, some Windows Media Video (WMV) and some MPEG2 decoders can experience problems with video card drivers when the decoding process involves hardware acceleration. To check if that is the source of your playback problems, Expression Encoder offers you the option of disabling hardware acceleration. Disabling hardware acceleration is a fix that you would apply independent of turning off codecs, as hardware acceleration is related to the performance of your video card drivers. If you disable hardware acceleration, it is likely that your playback performance will not be optimal, but you will bypass incompatibilities that may potentially prevent playback.
To disable filters
On the Tools menu, click Options.
Click Compatibility.
Do one of the following:
To disable a filter, clear the check box next to the filter name.
To enable a filter, select the check box next to the filter name.
To enable all the filters, click Enable All.
To disable all the filters, click Disable All.
To turn off hardware acceleration
On the Tools menu, click Options.
Click Compatibility.
Clear the Allow hardware accelerated decode check box.