@ Fubar2Niner
i have installed the "K-Lite Mega
Codec Pack" on my xp pro. Otherwise you can try to install the vlc media player.
Perhaps that is useful for you

@rik007
yes, i know about this problems too. Some points i try to adjust up and down at the moment are:
scene.dat/Node -Sky/EnvData/EnvData/MaxWaveHeight
scene.dat/Node -Sky/EnvSim/EnvSim/MaxWaveHeight/Wind/Waveproperties/3/Scale/Y (height) --
im not sure what's the different effect between the 2 values?
scene.dat/Node -Sky/EnvSim/EnvSim/MaxWaveHeight/Wind/Waveproperties/3/Scale/Z (lenghth) --
this one is very sensitive. E.g. changing the value from 11,3184 to 11,3007 can cause visible effects. To find a proper adjustment can create realistic rolling waves.
scene.dat/Node -Sky/EnvData/EnvData/MaxWaveHeight/SupressWaves/ChoppyWave --
this one is very interesting imo. It causes that the wave behaviour changes from forming as an "O" to an "8". If this effect is adjusted only a little larger then to the point of beginnig this behaviour, the result is what we call in germany "überschäumende Wellenkämme".
i will load up some other films the next days.
Best regards,
Leutnant_Werner