What's this...

[Pizard]

Wattup

Few days ago I downloaded a podcast from CTV.ca (yea... I know, I'm lame). I tried to make it play on my windows media player but it kept saying that I needed some kind of codec. ACV1 or something. When I googled for ACV1 or whatever it gave me this thing something about ffdshare supporting it or whatever, it said it was a codec but what's a codec? My real intention of the podcast was to put it on windows movie maker, edit out the voices and put my voice into the news broadcast, (yea, I know, I'm a loser) but it didn't work on windows movie maker either.

Can someone help me get it on movie maker? Please?!

[Sylvander]

FREE K-Lite Codec Packs (http://www.free-codecs.com/K_Lite_Codec_Pack_download.htm)

Some useful guides, tutorials and articles (http://www.free-codecs.com/Guides.htm)

[SansMercy]

So how does this let me put it on Windows Movie Maker?

[Sylvander]

"I tried to make it play on my windows media player but it kept saying that I needed some kind of codec...what's a codec?"
That site supplies various free codec packs.
I'm no expert on video. :(

[Sylvander]

If it helps...
This fortnights edition of "ComputerActive" magazine includes an article entitled Save Youtube videos to your Hard Disk (http://www.computeractive.co.uk/computeractive/features/2188357/save-youtube-videos-hard-disk).

I'll try to summarise:
1. Video material is stored in ".mp4" files.

2. Best software is probably Apple's Quicktime 7.1 (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html) [0r similar] with iTunes option. Click on the "Free Download Now" button.
This downloads Quicktime and the separate iTunes music and video player.
You don't need it, but it's good.
If you don't want iTunes installed, click Cancel, repeat step one and select the other iTunes-free option.

3. Now download and install the Free Youtube to iPod Video Converter (http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/guides/dvd/convert-YouTube-FLV-video-to-iPod-MP4-video.htm) [you don't need an iPod to make use of this prog].

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BORING BIT OVER
4. Go to http://www.youtube.com/ and click on any video you like.

5. A video is "streamed" to your PC.

6. If you like the video...
In the box just to the right of the main video window...
It lists the URL...
Click in this box to "select" the URL and "Ctrl+C" to copy the URL to the clipboard.

7. Now launch the "Youtube to iPod Video Converter" [YIVC].
Note 2 blank boxes:
a. "Input file" [address of the Youtube page]
b. "Output file" [video file to be downloaded and stored on the PC]

8. Put the cursor [click there] in the "Input file" box, and "Ctrl+V" to paste in the address of the video [previously saved to the clipboard].
The program automatically fills in the "Output file" box with a default name and location [change that if you like].

9. To convert the files into a format suitable for an iPod, in YIVC, click on the "Devices:" drop-down-list-box and select "iPod" [it gives a suitable screen format for a monitor].

10. Choose on of the "Presets:" that you think suitable [640x480?], then "Download & Convert".

11. Double-Click on the downloaded video file to play it.
OR...
12. Launch iTunes [from the Start menu or the desktop].

13. Click on the main file menu in iTunes and select "Add Folder To Library".
Locate the "My Documents\My Video" folder.
This adds all video files in that to the "Movies" section of the iTunes library.

14. Use the iTunes program's features to to organise and view the clips.
Fast forward/back
Boost to full screen
Create playlists
Download them onto an iPod, PSP, mobile phone, watch on PC.

Usual copyright rules apply.