Tools for troubleshooting
Videoinspector
This free tool gives basic information about the video files you are trying to play (such as which codecs they were made with) and reportreports which codecs are installed on your computer. It is reasonably easy to use. It does not report details such as the I-frame rate.
http://www.kcsoftwares.com/?vtb
GSpot
Although GSpot has not been maintained since 2007, it is a powerful tool to get information about both your video file and your computer system. Gspot is a free tool. It is less easy to use than VideoInspector.
In addition to providing detailed information about the video file you have opened, G-Spot can be used to adjust how Windows uses the codecs installed. This is an advanced function and you should only use it if you understand what you are doing, and carefully write down the changes you make. If several codecs are installed which can be used to play one format, Windows assigns a ‘merit’ to each codec to determine its preference. You can use Gspot to change the merit of each codec and in that way select which one is used by Windows (and so by other software). This is a way in which you can solve problems of codecs conflicting with each other, e.g. a piece of software such as The Observer XT works best with a particular codec, but another installation has set the merit of an alternative codec higher.
Mediainfo
MediaInfo provides detailed information about media files. It has less information than GSpot, but at the publication date of this manual, it was maintained.
http:/www.mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en
Windows System Information
This can be obtained in Windows with System and Security/System/Advanced System Settings, Dxdiag.exe, and the Device Manager (in the Control Panel).
For full system information, SIW is a useful tool.