There are several CODECS (CODEC MEANS - CODER AND DECODER) and these days, many videos are available in different formats and to play them in PC, you got to search for codecs.
The common CODECS used these days are
1. DivX / XviD
2. H.264
3. WMV
4. VC1
5. Mpeg 2 [DVD]
6. MPEG 1 [VCD]
For all windows machines VCD,VC1 and WMV can be played right out of the box [Mpeg 2 Decoder is included in Vista]. But to play H.264, DivX or XviD we may need to install the CODEC. Not only that you may need Dolby Digital / DTS Decoders to play DvDs. There are Open Source Codecs available to play everything.
FFDShow - Codec can be used to decode h.264, wmv, mpeg1 , mpeg2 and so on. Not only that you need splitters for various container formats. You may need halli splitter for matroska format or quick time formats. Finding every codec is a very tough task and to maintain the updates for each codecs is most tougher than jus getting the codec. Each codec is regularly updated and getting those updates is a big problem. Further more, due to system issues the codecs gets broken and it never plays. For instance, i had a video coded with divX 3. I have installed all versions of DivX and tried, but it never played. Then I used a codec fix tool and it just deleted all invalid entries and the video played just fine. To simply there is a very good CODEC PACK.
K-Lite Codec Pack - (www.codecguide.com)
This will solve all the problems of playback/updates/media player and also contains tools which can be used to tweak the codecs.
There are two flavors
1. K-Lite codec Pack
2. K-Lite mega Codec Pack
The Mega Codec Pack includes the real-player alternative while the first one does not.
The Contents of CODEC PACK
Player:
- Media Player Classic [version 6.4.9.1 rev. 55]
ffdshow:
- ffdshow [revision 2035]
- ffdshow VFW interface
- extra plugins
DirectShow video decoding filters:
- XviD [version 1.2.0 build 2008-01-10]
- DivX [version 6.8.3]
- On2 VP6 [version 6.4.2.0]
- On2 VP7 [version 7.0.10.0]
- MPEG-2 (Cyberlink) [version 8.2.0.530]
- MPEG-2 (Gabest) [version 1.0.0.4]
- MPEG-1 (MainConcept) [version 1.0.0.78]
DirectShow audio decoding filters:
- AC3/DTS/LPCM (AC3Filter) [version 1.46]
- Vorbis (CoreVorbis) [version 1.1.0.79]
- AAC (MONOGRAM) [version 0.9.5.0]
DirectShow audio parsers:
- MusePack (MONOGRAM) [version 0.9.1.2 | 0.3.1.2]
- WavPack (CoreWavPack) [version 1.1.1]
- FLAC (madFLAC) [version 1.8]
- Monkey's Audio (DCoder) [version 1.0]
- OptimFROG (RadLight) [version 1.0.0.1]
- DC-Bass Source [version 1.1.1]
- AC3/DTS Source (AC3File) [version 0.5b]
- AMR (MONOGRAM) [version 1.0.1.0]
DirectShow source filters:
- AVI splitter (Gabest) [version 1.0.0.9]
- AVI splitter (Haali Media Splitter) [version 1.8.122.18]
- MP4 splitter (Haali Media Splitter) [version 1.8.122.18]
- MP4 splitter (Gabest) [version 1.0.0.4]
- Matroska splitter (Haali Media Splitter) [version 1.8.122.18]
- Matroska splitter (Gabest) [version 1.0.3.0]
- Ogg splitter (Haali Media Splitter) [version 1.8.122.18]
- Ogg splitter (Gabest) [version 1.0.0.1]
- MPEG PS/TS splitter (Gabest) [version 1.0.0.4]
- MPEG PS/TS splitter (Haali Media Splitter) [version 1.8.122.18]
- FLV splitter (Gabest) [version 1.0.0.4]
- CDXA Reader (Gabest) [version 1.0.0.2]
DirectShow subtitle filter:
- DirectVobSub (a.k.a. VSFilter) [version 2.38]
- DirectVobSub (a.k.a. VSFilter) [version 2.33]
Other filters:
- Haali Video Renderer [version 1.8.122.18]
VFW video codecs:
- XviD [version 1.2.0 build 2008-01-10]
- DivX [version 6.8.3]
- x264 [revision 889]
- On2 VP6 [version 6.4.2.0]
- On2 VP7 [version 7.0.10.0]
- Intel Indeo 4 [version 4.51.16.2]
- Intel Indeo 5 [version 5.2562.15.54]
- Intel I.263 [version 2.55.1.16]
- huffyuv [version 2.1.1 CCE Patch 0.2.5]
- YV12 (Helix) [version 1.2]
ACM audio codecs:
- MP3 (Fraunhofer) [version 3.4.0.0]
- MP3 (LAME) [version 3.98]
- AC3ACM [version 1.4]
- Vorbis [version 0.0.3.6]
- DivX ;) Audio [version 4.2.0.0]
Real Alternative:
- RealMedia codecs [version 6.0.14.806]
- RealMedia plugin for Internet Explorer
- RealMedia plugin for Firefox/Mozilla/Netscape/Opera
- RealMedia DirectShow splitter [version 1.0.1.2]
Tools:
- Codec Tweak Tool [version 2.2.8]
- GSpot Codec Information Appliance [version 2.70a]
- MediaInfo Lite [version 0.7.7.3]
- VobSubStrip [version 0.11]
- GraphEdit [build 061102]
- Haali Muxer
- FourCC Changer
- Bitrate Calculator
[ Some codecs distributed through this may not be open source or legitimate. Install with your own discretion ]
Installation Guide
I recommend you to download K-Lite Mega Codec Pack which contains everything.
If you have already Installed any of the Above Codec, like DivX, XVid or Real Player, the Installation wizard will ask whether to remove. You may chose to remove or to remain in the system. I have chosen to remain on my system. I used few other codecs that are not provided with this pack.
If the divX is installed then
I have already installed Haali Splitter and hence it showed
and Real Player..
[ I chose NO for all, otherwise it first un-installs all the installations and then proceeds to the Installation]
It is very difficult to explain each options in Codec Selection Page. Here is the Video, which shows the best option to playback all types of media files.
Just watch and Follow the Video. If you do not have H.264 and Mpeg2 codec you may choose to install from the pack.
After installation, you can view any videos(almost all) on your system.
The Media Info tool / GSpot Video Info Tool / Codec Tweak Tool are very useful.
If you are not interested in CODEC installation, now there are players that comes with CODEC with them, such as VLC MEDIA PLAYER or KMPLAYER or Mplayer. I would strongly recommend them to get them and install to watch all videos.
==================
Barath