video codecs

[okeee]

I'm looking for a list of codecs that you need to play video files. Only a short list with which you can play almost all video files. I do not want codec packs.

[FTT]

I NEVER go chasing after codecs. Instead I just install the players which can handle the various formats of video files. These are all free and work superior to the ones they are designed to replace IMO.

VLC media player (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/) for avi files
Quicktime Alternative (http://www.filehippo.com/download_quicktime_alternative/) (Media Player Classic) for Quicktime files
Media Player Home Cinema (http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/download-media-player-classic-hc.html) I use this one over Windows Media Player if WMP stutters or is choppy in playback.

I have yet to find a codec or file that one of these won't recognize and play.

[LochLomonder]

I've used VLC for quite some time now, and I've never had any problems with it. It's an excellent application.

[jlreich]

Yeah I don't think there is a short list of codecs that can play just about every video file. That is why they have codec packs. ;)

I use either VLC or MPC Home Cinema. Been mostly using MPC HC for some time, but VLC now works with ATI video cards for GPU acceleration since ATI driver 10.7. So I will likely start using VLC much more once I get a BD-ROM and start watching HD.

[123456]

Highly recommend K-Lite Codec Pack, it's free and less intensive than VLC

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/k_lite_codec_pack.htm

[okeee]

Ok maybe not for all video files, but most .avi and .mpg files. I know about VLC and other programs, but I still want to use codecs to play files.



less intensive than VLC

what do you mean, does it use a lot of memory?

[Paul Komski]

I'm looking for a list of codecs that you need to play video files.On what do you intend to play them?

I like GOM Player (http://www.gomlab.com/eng/GMP_Introduction.html) and it will fetch codecs that it needs if not already installed.

There are simply loads and loads of video formats (http://www.fileinfo.com/filetypes/video). Another approach if you have a format that works is to convert the file to the format that you have the codec for.

[okeee]

I probably use a player that doesnt have any codecs installed. and mainly to view .avi and .mpg files

[LochLomonder]

okeee,


I probably use a player that doesnt have any codecs installed. and mainly to view .avi and .mpg files

Are you aware of what a codec is in the first place? Even when playing AVI and MPG files, codecs are still required by the software. They are used to decode the files and allow them to play on your PC.

[Paul Komski]

I probably use a player that doesnt have any codecs installed. and mainly to view .avi and .mpg files

Which player are you using?

[Cuc Tu]

Another approach if you have a format that works is to convert the file to the format that you have the codec for.

This is a catch 22, you need the codec before you can convert.

I've had a major headache with codecs. I like to make home videos and when my ATI card went poof, I installed an nVidia card - removing the drivers for the ATI. This must have removed a codec and I could no longer use Adobe Premier to work with raw video (an MPEGvx format for which Sony does not seem to support on a PC) from my Sony camera. Some players can play it and the K-lite codec pack had FFDSHOW or something like that, but it never worked right in the video editing apps - caused them to crash, out of sync sound, or progress bar does not match meaning no NLVE...

I tried K-lite and others, then played with G-spot trying to set codec priorities and mappings - an endless maze of pleasure one can enjoy for an eternity.

[Paul Komski]

This is a catch 22, you need the codec before you can convert.
Now I will readily admit that I do very little with multi-media but I was delighted when I discovered GOM player and it always seemed to work and if it didn't have a particular codec it simply downloaded and installed it as needed and as time went by. I also tried the trial of GOM converter (http://encoder.gomlab.com/eng/) which also did what it said on the tin and with no fuss. The trial watermarks the videos but at least you can see if will do what you want.

I guess it goes without saying that you need to code/decode with an appropriate codec whether desirous of playing or of converting formats. However I have never really understood why having obtained a codec for one application it wasn't available or immediately available to other applications.

Perhaps someone can explain. Was I missing something when WMP wouldn't play a file but that GOM Player would? Could I have somehow pointed WMP at the codec that GOM had been using?

[okeee]

someone recommended using divx for codecs. is it any good, what are the cons?

[FTT]

The cons in my eyes is I did not like it. Simple.

You stated you mostly want this for viewing avi and mpg files.

What is so wrong in downloading VLC for avi, and Media Player Classic Home Cinema for mpg's??? :confused: They work GREAT! :cool: MPC HC is much smoother than Windows Media Player and VLC works flawlessly as well.

You could at least try them!!! :rolleyes: If you find you do not like them, it is a simple uninstall from Add/Remove.

[sassie05]

Some time ago (3+ years) I went down a path chasing codecs. Came across this SITE (http://www.free-codecs.com/guides/What_Codecs_Should_I_Use.htm) with some useful information. This is somewhat dated info and don't know if any links are still valid.

"Many users reported troubles with codec packs. Our advice is: Always use tools like GSpot and AVIcodec and try to install only the codecs you need. Almost all packs give you the option to select the codecs before installation."

After all the headaches I ended up going the route FTT suggested and found that much easier.

[jlreich]

Since we are more or less on the same subject, as I mentioned before I had been using MPC HC almost exclusively on my HTPC, but I just started ripping BluRay to MP4/H.264 and MPC HC stutters, seemingly it can't handle it. VLC on the other hand doesn't have an issue, plays them perfectly smooth.

Originally my best guess was because my HTPC has a low end dual core CPU and VLC has ATI GPU hardware acceleration while MCP HC does not. But it does the same thing when I play the same file on the system in my sig with my Q9550 quad. So that's not the issue.

VLC it is then. :)

[sassie05]

VLC it is then.
It is. Seems to be the winner hands down. :)

[okeee]

I tried media player classic. files are associated with the player, but can the media player icon (for all video files) be changed?

[david eaton]

Just to add to this topic of codecs, if you find a site that asks for a new codec, TAKE CARE. This can be a malware or trojan, it's a common way of getting infected!

[FTT]

I don't spend my time looking at the icon, I just watch the movie with the player... :p

To answer more precisely, I am sure there is a way but I don't care to research it. One reason the player is so light and functions so well is because it is not embellished with additional skins, add-ons and other features that would only load it down and prevent it from working well with older or less powerful systems.

You can make a Volkswagen Beetle look like a Lincoln Continental but it will never be one. I really do not see the point. I must be old...... :(

[Paul Komski]

but can the media player icon (for all video files) be changed?
I don't know a way of changing them all as a batch but you can change them for each file extension one by one as outlined below. You can also change the icon for any shortcut by right-clicking on it and from its Properties choose to "Change Icon".

[Paul Komski]

As mentioned earlier I am not a multi-media buff at all but since posting to this thread I have done a bit of reading and now do understand more. I also agree with those that suggest going for a media player that does the job for you without getting into the much more technical side of which specific codec is necessary or is the best going.

Understanding Codecs (http://www.techsupportalert.com/understanding-codecs.htm) pointed me to where to find what codecs have been installed on a PC and as listed in Device Manager.

The Wiki on Comparison of Container Formats (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_container_formats) just helps to illuminate the bewildering array of formats that do exist and which codecs they require or contain.

And another Wiki on Comparison of Video Players (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_player_software) helps to round off the relationship between Players, the Containers (file formats etc) that they use and the Codecs that the Containers require to function.

If I have got anything wrong please correct me and if anyone has anything they can add to help undiscombobulate this thorny area then that would be great.


someone recommended using divx for codecs. is it any good, what are the cons?DivX is a brand name for a number of products (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DivX) including some codecs.