What codec should I have installed on my PC

[okorkie]

I am trying to determine what codecs I need installed on my machine. I have been running XP for some time now and I have determined using Gspot that I have many, many audio and video codecs installed on my system. Is there a guide or web site that will tell me what each of the codecs are for and if there are needed. I would like to uninstall all of the un-needed codecs that are on my system.

[DivXExpert]

You need DivX, XviD, MPEG-2, and WMV video codecs.
MP3, OGG/OGM, AC3, and WMA audio codecs.
A Stream Switcher is also usefull for multiple audio tracks and video tracks.

You might want VSfilter as well. It reads subtitles that have been muxed into a avi/ogm stream.

[ZippyP.]

There are many different types of audio and video codecs, as for which ones you need ...... it depends on the types of audio and video files that you want to play on your system. Nobody can tell you which ones you must have although there are some common ones. The popular "codec packs" try to include the most common types. I suppose you could uninstall all the codecs and install a codec pack instead. I say that if it ain't broke don't fix it. Are you having some sort of codec problem? You may just be asking for trouble by trying to change them.

[teegee420]

Extremely sound advice. I couldn't agree more.

[Moloko_Plus]

imho: I do not recommend codec packs at all. I would just install powerdvd, windvd 5, divx, xvid codec, AVICODEC (to tell what you may need for a certain file in the future), the AC3 audio codec (very common in some xvid, at least ive found quite a few in group releases).
Ive had some trouble with codec packs (software wouldnt work, bugs happened, etc). Why install codecs for something you dont need? Some of those packs have outdated versions of stuff too..

Well thats what I do anyway, just try to play it, if it doesnt work run AVIcodec and see whats needed. Another example is some svcds dont play with powerdvd that will only play in windvd. Dont know why..Thats why its best to have both. PowerDVD is better though in my experiance.