Best codec strategy

[rjc7394]

What's the best strategy for installing codecs? I have used codec packs (K-Lite, Ace) over the last year and Windows Media Encoder 9 Codec pack and everyone tells me I'm crazy for using codec packs and cluttering my PC. I'm still not sure how to use FFDSHOW. Can I get rid of some of my codecs and let FFDHOW decode instead? If you don't use codec packs where do you get all your Directshow codecs from?

[BJ_M]

never use codec packs , install only the ones you need

[redwudz]

You can use Gspot 2.52 on a video that won't play. It will tell you which codec you need, then you DL and install that codec. Codec packs are a common way to stuff up your whole system. Do a forum search for 'codec packs' and you will see quite a few problems they can cause. ffdshow is a codec pack, but it doesn't have the problems of K-lite or the others. You can safely install it for decoding Xvid, Divx and a few others.

[rjc7394]

Where do I get codecs like WAV and MPG/MPEG4 splitters. They're only available in codec packs aren't they? How many codecs do you have installed?

[redwudz]

WAV is built into XP, you don't need to install it. The MPEG-2 codec is not. You can install a MPEG-2 player like PowerDVD to get it or use a freeware one like Stinkys MPEG2 Codec. For Xvid, Divx, etc., install ffdshow and that should cover most of them. For a MP4 splitter you can use the Haali Media Splitter. If you find a file you can't open, Gspot will usually tell you exactly the codec needed. Most every codec needed is in 'Tools' to the left. https://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=6#6

For computer viewing, most of the time I use VLC media player because it has it's own codec support and I don't have to install any extras.

I have installed encode codecs for Xvid, Divx, H264 and DV. Those are about all I use much any more. For MPEG, they're in the encoder I'm using, usually TMPGEnc. I also use VirtualDub Mod, ConvertXToDVD, SUPER, FairUse Wizard and TMPGEnc DVD Author a lot. If I run into a WMV or RM, I convert them to Xvid for just viewing on the computer. Same with OGM.

[rjc7394]

I've used VLC for a year and I use GSPOT, AVICodec and Radlight Filter Manager. I use to encode WMVs (1,2 and 3) in TMPGEnc all the time and I don't know where I got those codecs for WMV.

I imported a .d2v into Virtualdubmod and the decompressor was a Microsoft MPEG4 DMO. Someone at Doom9 told me I need the DMO (DirectX Media Object) codecs. All WMV decoding is done thru DMO's. I don't know how to go about uninstalling the Microsoft codecs because evidently I need some of them.