Munku

I'm curious to inquire if any of you guys could recommend a pretty thorough video codec pack to install. Thanks for your input guys!

cyrnel

Is this for your own content or stuff from wherever?

Packs tend to cause problems, either now or later. Either they walk on each other, or they get tied up with each other and upgrading parts becomes painful. Better to stick to individual codecs or the small sets from single vendors. (MS, Nero, etc.) Keep track of what you use, and where to find updates.

The only few most people need now are MS's stuff, XviD, audio filters for DVD playback, maybe Real, QuickTime, and you're jammin'. If you want, use DivX instead of XviD. Maybe Nero.

Beyond that settle on a couple good players. Maybe WMP for browsing titles and all the flash, but for a simple reliable player Media Player Classic is great. Small footprint, fast, and it handles everything without fluff.

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Xazy

I would try videolan, you can download it for free at ww.videolan.org this program uses no codec, and plays all the above types. It also does not tank the computer like media player.

KnifeMissile

If you're looking to strictly decode video, then I'd recommend FFDshow. The latest build can decode almost anything under the sun, including x264, an open source version of h264 (which it can also decode), a very advanced format which the anime community has been adopting, lately. The only problem with FFDshow is that it's not really a codec, but a DirectShow filter, so you may have problems decoding videos with anything other than a video player (such as an NLE). The 2005-20-18 version from free-codecs.com is not a bad start...

You might still need a stream splitter (but usually not) and Haali's is as good as any, maybe even better.

Still, if you wan to decode quicktime and real media, I'd recommend QuickAlternative and RealAlternative. They will let you play QuickTime and Real Media movies, respectively, with any Windows media player...

Good luck with whatever you choose!

keyshawn

It's been mentioned previously that the codec packs can get messy sometimes, but I actually have never had any problems with them in the couple years that I've used them on windows [no longer need them on mac].
I guess each to his own

FYI, if you're looking for the codec packs, try the k-lite codec pack - http://www.free-codecs.com/index.htm
That's the one I'd recommend, although make sure to read the README, to make sure you don't install conflicting codecs.
Also, definitely stay away from the nimo codec pack - I ran into a few problems with those.

Catcha back on the flipside,
keyshawn

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muckluck

I'd go for the K-lite Mega Pack, because I like the Real/quicktime alternatives. I have yet to have a missing codec or any codec conflicts since I got it, so I highly reccomend it.

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sailor

Yeah, that's the one I've always used.

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AngelicVampire

I like the Tsunami codec pack, though I also use the FFDShow, XVid ones and others (way too many random media types on my computer, wish people would settle for one!). Some codecs even though they technically decode the type give random errors (massive blurring between scenes with a lot of colour leak through, if anyone has any ideas why would be most interested to hear them!)

Slyboots

I'd too would go with the k-lite. It just has everything that you need.

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