Encoding Question

[ne0natas]

Well... I don't really know if this is exactly a conversion question as much as it is just a general encoding question. But I figured I'd just post it in here. I am curious to know why I can't use all of my codecs in all of my video software. Seems as though some software can use some and others can only use others. Why is this? I never quite understood and just worked around it but I would like to be able to use all my codecs with all the software I use.

[jagabo]

Windows has two separate video subsystems: DirectShow and VFW. Generally, codecs for one don't work with the other, and programs are written to use one system or the other. In addition, any program can use its own private codecs that aren't available to any other program.

If you are running 64 bit Windows there are four different video subsystems. 32 bit DirectShow and VFW, and 64 bit DirectShow and VFW. Not only do DirectShow and VFW not mix, but 32 bit and 64 bit programs and codecs do not mix. If you use XP Mode to run old XP programs you have two more video subsystems in XP, DirectShow and VFW. For a total of six different video subsystems. And you still have programs using private codecs.