default MPEG-2 decoder?

[iThinkYouBrokeIt]

Is there a way to change the sytem-wide default MPEG-2 decoder? I know media player classic can be set to prefer a certain decoder, but i would like to change the decoder that Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center play.

I'm pretty certain i've found a utility that does this a year or two back, but i can not remember where i found it, or what it was called.

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

EDIT: forgot to mention i am running Windows Vista Home Premium, if that makes any difference...

[redwudz]

I use the Vista Codec Pack that includes a MPEG-2 codec as my version of Vista came without a MPEG-2 codec. http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=66826

I don't use WMP or WMC for anything, but you may be able to change the preferred codec for all players. Vista handles codecs differently, so your older program may not work.

With MPEG-2 codecs, I haven't seen any difference between codecs, so AFAIK, it doesn't matter which one you use.

[Baldrick]

Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=de1491ac-0ab6-4990-943d-627e6...displaylang=en maybe works for vista.

[iThinkYouBrokeIt]

I use the Vista Codec Pack that includes a MPEG-2 codec as my version of Vista came without a MPEG-2 codec. http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=66826

I don't use WMP or WMC for anything, but you may be able to change the preferred codec for all players. Vista handles codecs differently, so your older program may not work.

With MPEG-2 codecs, I haven't seen any difference between codecs, so AFAIK, it doesn't matter which one you use.

I don't see an MPEG-2 decoder on the list. And all versions of Vista come with Microsoft's MPEG-2 decoder....

Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=de1491ac-0ab6-4990-943d-627e6...displaylang=en maybe works for vista.

No, it doesnt seem to work. Weird...

The problem is with my color settings. After adjusting my bright/contrast in my nvidia control panel, MPEG-2 videos look horribly dark unless i reset the vid.color settings to default. However, it seems to be different for any other codecs. Divx/Xvid/h.264/mov/etc look perfect with my current settings, but MPEG-2 looks too dark. If i set it back to default, then MPEG-2 will look perfect, and everything else will be too bright. So, i need to use an MPEG-2 decoder that will allow me to change the bright/contrast settings.....

[redwudz]

You might take a look here for a program that maybe can change Vista default codecs. http://mediacenterexpert.blogspot.com/2006/07/vista-media-center-decoder-utility.html

FFDshow does include a MPEG-2 codec. I haven't checked to see which MPEG-2 codec my install is using, but all types of common videos play now with no problems. I had more problems with video card drivers than I have had with codecs. I finally have a Nvidia driver that works properly, at least better than the one from the motherboard disc. That may explain why DVD videos wouldn't play to start with.

[Endemoniada]

Hi guys,

Which codec should I get for XP with Media Player 10 ?

I can make MPEG-2 with Sony Vegas but I can't even play them.

Thanks.

[redwudz]

ffdshow

Stinkys MPEG2 Codec

Dscaler MPEG Filters

GPL MPEG-1/2 Decoder

These are a few choices. You can also DL a software DVD player like Power DVD and it will install a MPEG-2 codec. You can uninstall the program afterwards and the codec will remain.

Or install a program like VLC that has it own codecs.