help with codecs...

[alirio]

Hello

I've been reading the site for a while now and I got to say that this site rocks, alot of great info and tutorials. Keep up the great work!

OK here is my problem and some questions...Before I decided to do a complete recover on my pc (98SE) I had several codecs installed on it. And all my movies played nice and clear, well most of them some were okay quality. I saved all my files and codes apps before the recovery.

After I did a fresh install, I copied all my files back on my pc as well as all my codecs. Now after I opened some videos I noticed that some of the videos that played great (awesome quality) before the recover are now playing with not so good quality, like the playback looks bad.

Now my questions are....

Is the bad playback quality because of the wrong coded being used? If so can I control what codec needs to be used for a certain file?
How can I find out what proper codec is needed to play any of my videos?

I will try and remember what codecs I installed (I'm at work now ) , they are: DivX 3.11 Alpha, DivX 5.0.1 & 5.0.2, I263, and some others I can't recall right now...
I got a feeling I installed to many codecs and at the same time the wrongs one are being called upon when I play my vids. If I ask for a list of the common ones I should have on pc which one's would you say?

Sorry for the so many questions, I just want to know if I'm doing something right or wrong. So any help, tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[devinemi83]

If it is codec related, then download the Nimo Codec pack.

[KingJohn]

Hello


I will try and remember what codecs I installed (I'm at work now ) , they are: DivX 3.11 Alpha, DivX 5.0.1 & 5.0.2, I263, and some others I can't recall right now...

It is probable that the wrong codec's are being used for playback, Control Panel > Multimedia > Devices will show you all the ones you have, you may wish to get rid of them all and Install the Nimo Codec pack, when will give all the popular codec's.

DivX 3.11 Alpha, low/fast motion DivX 5.02 etc are included

http://nimo.everwicked.com/ http://perso.wanadoo.fr/nimo/

[ya_jai]

DirectX is one of the main code to help about picture quality, I guess. Have you use the same version or directX as you use before? Or You can try directX 8.0 and see if it helps.

[alirio]

wow! thanks guys for all the info and tips...

after reading the posts I decided to remove all the previously installed codecs and start fresh. I downloaded a cool lil' app "GSpot" (codec identification utility). So after that I determined to install:

-DivX 3.11 Alpha
-DivX 4.12
-DivX 5.0.2
-MPEG-4 V1/2/3 VK (I'm pretty sure I installed this one)
-DirectX 8.1

well after I installed all of those, I played several of my vids and what a difference it makes when you only installed the necessary ones. They look crystal clear and all. I'm kinda new to all this so sorry for the dumb questions, I just want to learn and for some reason I can't seem to find an answer for my next few questions.

i.e...after installing DivX3.11, I proceeded with DivX 4.12 and it prompted me to choose whether I wanted it to play DivX 3.11 encoded videos. As per the install instructions I chose "No", cause it stated that I should have DivX 3.11 as well along side 4.12. Now my question is after I installed DivX 5.0.2 bundle will this codec override all the other codecs? Meaning this codec will automatically be loaded to play any DivX 3.11-5.01 encoded videos.

One last question...I read that it's recommended to use a DivX player for much better playback quality on any DivX videos. Are all avi files encoded in divx? I ask because is it proper to have all avi files open up with a DivX player?


Thanks for the help guys!

[devinemi83]

I use windows media player 6.4 for all of mine and they work great. As for formats, heres the funny thing, many "divx" files arent divx. They are MPEG4V3, an offshoot of a divx codec. But I a few months ago had to restore my system with a ghost disc, and I installed the divx codec,(4 at the time was the highest), and none of my 20 movies played with video. I didnt know what was up. I then downloaded the MPEG4V3 codec and BOOM it played without a glitch. Almost every movie I have says MPEG4V3 codec. I think only like 1 or 2 say its a divx codec.

[ya_jai]

Yes only divx codes are not enough for all movie file to play, such as mepg2 or SVCD you still need mpeg2 code. As for divx which is mpeg4 compresstion, you still need mpeg4 code or compression for mpeg4 code as well. So if you install only divx code such as 3.1 alpha, 4.12 and 5.xx, the first time you play divx movie with Window Media Player, it will try to download and install compression code.

In nimo code pack if you install with Basic, beside Dvix code it will install Microsoft Mpeg4 code as well.

[KingJohn]

wow! thanks guys for all the info and tips...

i.e...after installing DivX3.11, I proceeded with DivX 4.12 and it prompted me to choose whether I wanted it to play DivX 3.11 encoded videos. As per the install instructions I chose "No", cause it stated that I should have DivX 3.11 as well along side 4.12. Now my question is after I installed DivX 5.0.2 bundle will this codec override all the other codecs? Meaning this codec will automatically be loaded to play any DivX 3.11-5.01 encoded videos.

One last question...I read that it's recommended to use a DivX player for much better playback quality on any DivX videos. Are all avi files encoded in divx? I ask because is it proper to have all avi files open up with a DivX player?

Thanks for the help guys!

Yes, When there is an updated version of the same codec, installing the latest will overwrite the old (Normally) so installing codec's separately can mess the system up, but using the Nimo codec pack gets around this.

Nothing wrong the the default WMP for playback, I would leave that as the default player, and only use the others as and when you want to.

[banjazzer]

Install the Nimo Codec pack, when will give all the popular codec's.

DivX 3.11 Alpha, low/fast motion DivX 5.02 etc are included

I understand the Nimo DivX 5.02 also includes the associated adware? is this correct?

[KingJohn]

I don't see how, as the codec's are not installed, just copied to system, BUT I need to check this as I have DivX 5.02 Professional installed, Nimo 5.7 did not provided ad wear with DivX 5.01

BRB

[banjazzer]

This is the reference that made me think this may be the case. http://www.divx-digest.com/software/nimo_pack.html

[KingJohn]

Output directory: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM
Windows 95/98/ME Detected
Extract msvcr70.dll
Extract DivX.dll
Extract mp4fil32.dll
Output directory:C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM
Output directory:C:Program Files
Output directory:C:Program Files\DivX
Output directory:C:\Program Files\DivX Codec
Extract:README.txt
Extract:LICENSE.TXT
ExtractivX help guide.url
ExtractivX.com.url
Output directory:C:\Program Files\DivX
Output directory:C:\Program Files
Output directory:C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM
Output directory:C:\Program Files\NimoCodec Pack
Delete file:C:\Program Files\NimoCodec Pacl\uninstall.exe
EXecShell: open C:\Program Fuiles\NimoCodec Pack
Created uninstaller:C:\Program Files\NimoCodec Pack\uninstall.exe
Completed
Finished

Cannot import c:\temp\divx5.reg: Error opening file. There may be a disk or file system error

Run divx5.reg to register codec
Codec registered

Lavasoft Ad-aware 5.83 Plus
Nothing found...

Wonder if the divx5.reg has something to do with it, will need to test on another machine...

[KingJohn]

OK, well I cant find any spywear, however I got Nimo from Kazaa and have now compared it to the official download and the size is different. Both are same version, however the reg file is missing in the official download pack.

Thought it was too good to be true..

Look Out for the KingJohn Codec pack on Kazaa......

KJ Codec Pack V1.01.exe Now Available (Spy Free)