EDIT: Clean windows install, ffdshow encodes but won't decode?

[Z-C]

I've decided to format and clean install windows again.
After the clean install I only installed the following codecs: ffdshow pack, panasonic dv codec, Lagarith codec. It seems that CCE's speed is fine, unless I feed it with Lagarith file. So I'm trying to go back to FFDSHOW's HuffYUV.

I managed to install ffdshow this time, and trying to encode using it's HuffYUV encoder. When I encode a short clip with it - everything seems fine. However, when trying to use that file for MPEG2 reencoding in CCE I get the following error: ICDecompressGetFormat() failed: -1. When trying to open this file in Vdub I also get an error that the source image format is not acceptable.

Any ideas on this guys?

[Z-C]

I've been doing some readings, and I guess this is because ffdshow only supports directshow?

When I try to use WMP, ffdshow automatically loads up and I can play the ffdshow-huffyuv encoded file. However, when trying to reencode using CCE or when opening it in Vdub I get an error saying that it can't read the format. Gspot also reports that no codecs are installed for this.

how can I make CCE and other programs to 'talk' with ffdshow like WMP does?

EDIT: Using DirectShowSource in avisynth to frameserve into CCE, seems to solve this problem, and the speed I'm getting is somewhat decent(2x).
but is there a way to do this without frameserving through AviSynth?

[jagabo]

ffdshow supports both VFW and DirectShow. That's why there are configurations for both:

Start -> All Programs -> ffdshow -> Video Decoder Configuration (DirectShow)
Start -> All Programs -> ffdshow -> VFW Codec Configuration (VFW)

VirtualDub uses VFW.

[Z-C]

For some reason in Vdub the only option I have is ffdshow Video Codec, and that seems to only save as Directshow...

I can see on my programs a shortcut to config VFW codec. but how can I implement it in Vdub?
In addition, is VFW as good a directshow(since it's old...)?

[jagabo]

For some reason in Vdub the only option I have is ffdshow Video Codec, and that seems to only save as Directshow...

What's in the file when you're done is neither DirectShow nor VFW, it's simply compressed video. DirectShow and VFW are the software libraries that programs use to read and write the files. DirectShow supports more features than VFW but that doesn't effect the quality of the compression and decompression.

[Z-C]

If that's the case, then how come only DirectShow applications are able to read the encoded file? Such as WMP, or through frameserving with AviSynth using the DirectShowSource() function.

[jagabo]

If that's the case, then how come only DirectShow applications are able to read the encoded file? Such as WMP, or through frameserving with AviSynth using the DirectShowSource() function.

Why is it you can drain a barrel with a rubber lawn hose when it was filled by a copper pipe? Because the hose/pipe is simply a method of putting water in the barrel and taking water out. The water is water either way.

The applications you are using all use DirectShow to access video files, except VirtualDub which uses VFW.

[Z-C]

I'm sorry but I'm afraid this time I didn't get your explanation. I understand what you're saying but it seems to me that it contradicts the situation I'm facing.
If VFW & DirectShow are just methods of playback, then shouldn't the video work in both?

When you encode using ffdshow HuffYUV, are you unable to play the file in Vdub afterwards?

[jagabo]

If VFW & DirectShow are just methods of playback, then shouldn't the video work in both?

No. Some programs use DirectShow to read video files. Others use VFW. If a program uses DirectShow it requires DirectShow filters. If a program uses VFW it requires VFW filters.

[Z-C]

In that case, how do you encode files in CCE, that were previously encoded with ffdshow-HuffYUV? Is there some other way instead of frameserving through Avisynth using the DirectShow function?

[jagabo]

Sure, just open your HuffYUV encoded AVI file with CCE. The CCE trial version I have here uses VFW, so enable ffdshow's VFW HuffYUV decoding.

[Z-C]

Works like a charm. Thanks!