Video codec

[polobunny]

Instead of pollution the Microsoft Silverlight thread, I thought of making another one. Here we can share the codec packages, video player of choice and such.

Originally Posted by Tech Geek Deluxe

Heya Polo ... those Video Codec and players you suggested above ... nice list ... or at least I think so ... is it comprehensive? Any you would also suggest in addition to that list?

I have a mountain of video and Codec programs etc etc ... but haven't spent weeks ferreting though what is the best small footprint practical set ....

I've researched so many other things ... but not the video category nor codec category ... so I end up loading tons of useless conflicting territorial bloatware.

Please tell me that this little small footprint grouping has "all the love" ... or at least most of it.

Well, the list above is pretty much what I use and install on my clients computers. Combined Community Codec Pack (CCCP for short) supports pretty much everything you run into because it packs Media Player Classic and FFDSHOW. The setup is very easy, actually clicking next all the time will likely give you the best results. :P Pay attention however to the sound FFDSHOW settings, where you can setup your audio for surround and such. All options are always accesible through FFDSHOW audio setup after, but I know for experience that you can get lost easily in it (versatility is complicated sometimes :P)
However, you're not forced to use MPC, I just like it because it has many functions other popular players don't have and it's lightweight. Personally, I don't care about skins on my media player, as long as it reads my goddamn videos it's fine for me.
CoreAVC is a paid program however it helps a lot when viewing high definition video, and that on any computer. GPU support for decoding high-def is to be added soon, which will only make it better.
At any rate, it's very cheap, Pro version at $15 and Standard version at $8 if I'm not mistaken. I recommend the former as it includes multi-core/CPU support (up to 4 cores/CPU) while Standard doesn't.

I understand your pain too. I've tried tons of codec packs before, the "better" one (before CCCP) being K-Lite. I would always end up with something not working right, sound for X filetype not playing, video not centered, no picture but sound. So far I didn't have any problem with the combo I use (it's been over a year installing it on my computers and client computers) and so far so good.

No experience with HD-DVD/Blu Ray however, but I don't think anything would mess up. You probably cannot play them though with MPC.

[Capper]

K-Lite Codec Pack 3.8.0 FULL, K-Lite Codec Pack 3.8.0 STANDARD, K-Lite Codec Pack 3.8.0 BASIC

I've been using this one for quite awhile, it seems to cover everything and works really well....it is also updated very frequently.

[screwballl]

I myself have used the K-Lite as well without any problems

[azianai]

and for those who are just too lazy for codecs or anything, just d/l VLC player (personally i use it as a last resort).

I use CCCP mainly because that was what the mainstream Anime Fansub groups pushed, and I find it very nice without some of the bloatware of K-Lite. I found K-Lite tries to install too much stuff thats not necessary.

Also for those who hate Quicktime and Realplayer, look for Quicktime Alternative and Real Alternative, although I don't actually know the legality of these 2.

[Tech Geek Deluxe]

Hey ... thanks a bunch guys! I have used almost everything ... ended up with K-Lite too ... but it wasn't always super clean and had extra crap in it.

Thanks again Polobunny ... I will use those suggested for this particular machine.

Now ... what codecs and vid solutions are best for XP 64 or Vista 64?

[azianai]

same, CCCP works just fine under Vista x64. Its just a codec pack, which means it combines all the codecs that are mainstream (DivX, XVid, H264, etc) into a simple package

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by Tech Geek Deluxe

Hey ... thanks a bunch guys! I have used almost everything ... ended up with K-Lite too ... but it wasn't always super clean and had extra crap in it.

Thanks again Polobunny ... I will use those suggested for this particular machine.

Now ... what codecs and vid solutions are best for XP 64 or Vista 64?

No problem.
All of those I mentionned above are working well under Vista x64. They are working but are not working in 64bit mode, not that you would actually need them to.
I prefer to stay away from XP x64, for that I can't tell you. :P
If you install K-Lite you don't need to install Quicktime Alternative because it includes DirectShow filters to play those files.
Quicktime Alternative does not work with Windows Media Player (if that's your favorite player) so in this case you have no choice but to install the K-Lite codec pack.

The sole reason I move from K-Lite was because I've had quite a few problems with it and it's indeed somewhat bloated in my opinion, but other than that, when it worked it worked great.

[Tech Geek Deluxe]

You all are awesome ... thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[halutzparilla]

i'm vouching for CCCP, i had a very bad exp with k-lite for some reason i cant remember probably when i try to install it with CCCP.... in any case with all my friends asking computer repair for free i do include packing CCCP to their system and bunch of free software such AVG and GIMP and lot more.