Good/Best Codec Package

[askunky]

Hi,

I am looking for a good stable codec package that can read all (90%?) movies.

This would be very nice and efficient if someone could answer these few crucial questions...and tell what to install step by step.

1)They often seem to be incompatible.
2)Sometimes gspot or avicodec say it can play the movie and the player actually doesn't
3)With the same codecs installed different players can or cannot play the same film!
4) How to know and chose what codecs actually do the job?


Thanks a lot for your help,

Askunky

[redwudz]

I just use AVIcodec or Gspot to indentify what codecs are neeed. I've never had any codec problems because of that.

There is no 'best' codec package. They all install uneeded codecs and sometimes codecs that can conflict with your previously installed ones. There are many, many posts here about problems people have had when they made the mistake of installing them. You can use individual codecs from the packs, just not the whole thing. They also commonly contain old codecs. I couldn't recommend any of them.

If you install the common MPEG-2 codec, ffdshow, real alternative player, quicktime alternative, that will be 90% of the needed codecs for playing videos. The AC3 ACM audio decoder is useful also.

[mats.hogberg]

good stable codec package

A contradiction in terms, IMO.

/Mats

[MistaED]

The K-lite codec pack will meet all of your needs.

[bugster]

I am with redwudz and Mats on this one. Download and install the most commonly used codecs, the only install new codecs as you need them. No matter how good a codec pack is cluttering up your system with un needed codecs affects performance and can cause conflicts which are difficult to track down. If you must use a codec pack I would reccomend using one after a clean install, nit on a well used system

[doggyofone]

I loaded the Klite codec pack on a clean install. I'm sure most of the codecs aren't necessary, but they are there. Also, when trying different software you get other codecs loaded and assorted junk. There's 170 codecs listed in Gspot for video alone and probably nearly as many for audio.
How do you track all this and clean it up. How do I turn them off or delete them safely? I have Gspot.

I'm sure its been asked before, what codecs are required for a combo of TMPGENC 2.5 (FFD runs in the system tray), CCE 2.70 and Nero. These are the three I mostly use.
Is there reading on this subject and also on the required settings for FFDshow?

Thanks, help is appreciated.

[mats.hogberg]

It all depends on what source files you have. If some file wont play (or the encoder refuses to open it), GSpot will tell you what codec is used. Get the latest version of that codec and install it.
But since you've already installed the Klite pack, this discussion is pointless - any problem you may experience is mostly caused by codec conflict rather than lack of codec.
Codec Sniper is a tool for removing unwanted codecs.

/Mats