Using VLC, I right-clicked on the filename in the playlist, chose Properties from the pop-up menu, and discovered that the video was actually a WMV9 (FourCC code "WMV3") file. Attempts to extract the video directly into a .WMV file and play it in Windows Media Player (WMP) failed miserably, because WMP requires the files to be perfectly formatted.
So I came up with this workaround:
- Open up VLC and make sure there's nothing in the playlist.
- Press the Play button, click Browse, and select the troublesome video file.
- Click the checkbox that says 'Advanced output' and press the Settings button.
- In the sheet that comes down, make sure that the 'Play locally' checkbox is unchecked, select the Stream radio button, and choose MMSH from the pop-up list. Make note of the port number (1234 by default, I think).
- Make sure that the Encapsulation Method is set to ASF and press the OK button. Press OK on the previous window as well.
- Double-click on the file which should now be in the playlist (or just press the Play button). You should not see the file playing.
Here's how I managed to get sound output from the troublesome movie:
- Download and install D-Vision, a great video utility.
- Click the image in the top-right (above Tools) and select 'Re-encoding avi/mpg.'
- Drag your video into the holding bin and click on the Copy/Extract tab.
- Where it says 'Extraction of audio track,' click the Settings button, set to your liking (the default is fine), and click the Create Task button. It should appear in the Task Management window. Click the Launch button and go get something to eat...
Yes, I know this is a very, very dirty hack, but it works. If you ever find yourself stuck without a PC and an unwatchable WMV file (disguised as an AVI or not), you'll know what to do.

