Newbie question about codecs and codec packs

[ExTF]

Hey,
Im not devoting much time to video related issues so I ask the veterans advice.

I read some posts on this forum in the past, about codec packs causing negative effects ont he system.
So the question is:
Im want to install only the NECESSARY codecs, and avoid installing codecs that will conflict with each other.
A tool that will help me check the codecs required to play the video/audio of the file would be great, that way I can allways add the needed codec in case I didnt istall it.

I also saw that GOM media player downloads the needed codecs by itself, would it make a good substitute?

[Baldrick]

I use ffdshow. It supports everything and if it would cause some problem you can easily uninstall it or disable it for custom programs or disable each codec in the settings.

[ExTF]

I forgot to mention Im using Vista x64 and the stability and performance issues are important to me.

[Baldrick]

stability and performance issues are important to me

Then you shouldn't have choosed vista 64.......I don't know how well ffdshow work in 64bit, maybe there are some special builds for it.

[ExTF]

stability and performance issues are important to me

Then you shouldn't have choosed vista 64.......I don't know how well ffdshow work in 64bit, maybe there are some special builds for it.

Actualy performance is the reason why I chose 64BIT Vista.

What formats ffdshow decodes?

[jagabo]

For playing video -- use a player with built in file splitters and codes. Like MPCHC, VLC, or KMPlayer. You probably won't need to install any codecs. Unless you need to edit too.

ffdshow includes decoders for just about everything.

[ExTF]

Using KMPlayer now, Its a wonderful program.
Lightweight, included codecs and stable unlike other players I have tried.

Thanks.