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NS_E_INVALID_INPUT_FORMAT
NS_E_INVALID_INPUT_FORMAT in a format, graph or streaming trace
For this HRESULT (0xC00D0BB8) the decisive boundary is the writer or transform has rejected the raw input media type before accepting samples. Diagnose the failing media-format operation directly and avoid inferring the cause only from the visible playback symptom.
Windows Media Format separates the compressed stream profile from the raw input format and from the decoded output selected by a reader when isolating this failure. The writer then packetizes samples, applies attributes and optional data-unit extensions, so failure at one boundary does not prove that the ASF container itself is unreadable at this checkpoint. In the case of this result, preserve the earliest lower-level result because wrappers can map several different causes to the same HRESULT.
Nearby results are not interchangeable
Main distinction: input format describes samples supplied to the writer, while output format describes data exposed by a reader or transform.
| Nearby HRESULT | How to compare it |
|---|---|
NS_E_MSAUDIO_NOT_INSTALLED | the requested Microsoft audio encoder or decoder is not registered for the selected profile |
NS_E_UNEXPECTED_MSAUDIO_ERROR | The Microsoft audio codec was created but failed during configuration or sample processing |
NS_E_INVALID_OUTPUT_FORMAT | The decoded or transformed output media type is not one the selected component can expose |
Failure anatomy
that format stage is reached when the writer or transform has rejected the raw input media type before accepting samples. The caller must not assume that the next filter, packet, session or metadata state exists after this result.
Use enumerate accepted input formats and change only the raw input media type to one advertised by the selected codec as the negative control. A later HRESULT means this checkpoint was cleared and the new result belongs to a different stage.
A controlled media-format test
- Log
0xC00D0BB8, this result, the exact operation and the first failure time. - Preserve profile XML or stream configuration, major type, subtype, format block, bitrate, channels, sample rate, frame dimensions and codec enumeration result before retrying.
- Do not reuse a graph, session, reader or metadata object created before the relevant configuration or resource changed in the diagnostic record.
- Perform one isolated test: enumerate accepted input formats and change only the raw input media type to one advertised by the selected codec when isolating this failure.
- Repeat through the same API and protocol path; a different player or local-copy test is useful only as a comparison, not as proof that the reported boundary is fixed.
- Confirm the expected next state and retain any new HRESULT as a separate downstream result.
Profile and sample evidence
| Capture | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Owning call | Record the API method, object identity, thread or callback and timestamp for the format operation. |
| Decisive values | Profile XML or stream configuration, major type, subtype, format block, bitrate, channels, sample rate, frame dimensions and codec enumeration result. |
| Object generation | Note when the reader, writer, graph, URL object, streaming session or metadata provider was created; stale state can reproduce this result after configuration has changed. |
| First nested result | Keep the earliest codec, COM, socket, DNS, parser or provider status before it; later UI messages are less specific. |
| Comparison case | Use one known-good resource that exercises the same media-format check while changing only the rejected precondition. |
How to read the next HRESULT
| Retest result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| The identical call still returns the code | The values governing the original request are unchanged, or the caller is still using an older object generation. |
| A fresh object succeeds | Lifetime or cached state contributed to it; correct object recreation instead of applying a machine-wide workaround. |
| The call advances to another HRESULT | the recorded format state boundary was cleared. Diagnose the new code at its own format, graph, URL, network or metadata stage. |
| Only one resource fails | The evidence favors content, URL, publishing point, stream, attribute or object-specific state rather than a global outage before retrying. |
Misleading actions
- Changing several profile and codec settings at once, which hides the first incompatible field in the diagnostic record.
- Do not erase the first occurrence by repeatedly retrying; callbacks and reconnects can replace the useful state with a later wrapper error when isolating this failure.
- Do not publish credentials, protected-content material or complete private URLs at this checkpoint. Record redacted identifiers, lengths, hashes and protocol fields needed to reproduce the original boundary.
Technical references
- Windows Media Format SDK overview
- Input, stream and output formats
- Profiles
- Windows Media SDK objects
- Microsoft HRESULT registry
Treat it as resolved only when the same API path crosses this checkpoint; success through a different player or cached copy is merely supporting evidence.
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