VFAPI plug-in settings in TMPGEnc

[walter4h]

Hi, guys:
In a TMPGEnc tutorial at
http://www.digitalFAQ.com/guides/video/convert-tmpg.htm
as well as in some guides, there are instructions on setting priorities for various codecs
(Environmental Settings-> "VFAPI Plug-In" tab)
A list of various decoders is given with priority settings. I reproduce it below.
Direct Show multimedia File Reader,Ligos MPEG-2 Decoder,CRI Sofdec MPEG Decoder,AVI2(OpenDML) File Reader,Cyberlink MPEG-2 Decoder,Microsoft MPEG-1 Decoder,Wave File Reader,TMPGEnc Project File Reader,The file can not be loaded,BMP/PPM/TGA/JPG,AVI VFW Compatibility Reader
- - - - -
My question is: does TMPGEnc depend on third-party codecs in order to process AVI files?
A guide at dvdrhelp.com/tmpgenc.htm
says the following with regards to priority settings in VFAPI plug-in :
First install a DV Codec and be sure that you can play DV AVI with Media Player.
- - - - - -
Am I correct in assuming that people who use AVI files from different sources are more likely to need more various decoders? But if I am using my own AVIs, I can manage with one or two decoders, as long as those AVIs can be played in my computer?
If someone has gone into trouble of installing Ligos decoder in his computer, is it likely to be for the purpose of being able to open a wider range of AVI files when using TMPGEnc? I would imagine Ligos decoder comes with Ligos LSX MPEG-2 Encoder, but that is a payware, more expensive that TMPGEnc itself.
Thx wh

[Craig Tucker]

My question is: does TMPGEnc depend on third-party codecs in order to process AVI files?

Yes.

[au7usa]

AVI is a package containing compressed streams. The AVI file readers listed in TMPGEnc VFAPI tab just let Tsunami deal with the AVI format. When an AVI is played, its separate streams are decoded (Audio / Video).

TMPGEnc can deal with the container "AVI", but has to rely on installed VFW codecs, or DirectShow decoders for the compressed streams inside (Audio / Video / etc).

Logos MPEG-2 decoder only decodes MPEG-2, not AVI. Cyberlink MPEG-2 decoder only decodes MPEG-2, not AVI.

Other "Containters" you might come across:
Matroska
Ogg

*Usually any compressed streams you can put into AVI package, you can put into Matroska or Ogg.

[walter4h]

Thanks guys,
I guess it would not hurt adding a few more codecs.
wh