Individual codecs or a codec pack? Windows XP

[majax79]

I've read up on codec packs and individual codecs as well, but I'm still undecided on what to do.

I already have media player classic (my favorite media player), real media alternative, and quicktime alternative installed.

I know I need xvid, divx, and ac3 codecs installed on my pc to watch most of the vids I download.

Would it be better for me to just install the 3 individual codecs or to get a codec pack?
I've heard mostly good things about ffdshow and that is the codec pack that I'm considering. I'm a bit confused as to wether ffdshow is a codec pack or some other type of program.

Would I need to uninstall quicktime alternative and real media alternative if I install ffdshow?

Also, is there anyway of checking for updates on these codecs? There seems to be too many codecs to keep track of.

[mats.hogberg]

ffdshow isn't a codec pack - It's one codec/DirectShow filter, capable of handling many different encoding types.
For playback, you go far with ffdshow only.
The odd occation when ffdshow won't handle a particular file, find what codec it uses, download and install that and only that.
Never ever install packs like KLite and the like, or you may never play a movie again, until you've reinstalled Windows.

/Mats

[redwudz]

Though I usually advise against codec packs, I do use one with my Vista computer that has worked well and has no problems: http://www.msfn.org/board/Vista_Codec_Package_v444_XP_2k3_Vista_t66826.html

You do need to read the instructions there before installing. It does include a version of ffdshow.

EDIT: Oops, I thought this was a Vista question. Wrong thread.

[majax79]

I don't have Vista so I'm going to just download ffdshow. Thank you so much for your responses.

[majax79]

I have a followup question. Do you think ffdshow uses more memory than the individual codecs if they were installed separately? I notice that the ffdshow icon loads on my system tray everytime I watch anything.

[lordsmurf]

All you need to watch videos is VLC. It has no need for external codecs.

[majax79]

I prefer to use media player classic.

[majax79]

Also, I notice that ffdshow doesn't generate an image preview for avi files.

[lordsmurf]

I prefer to use media player classic.

That's how I was ... until VLC came out.
I still use MPC for the Real and Quicktime alternatives.

[majax79]

Well, I went ahead and just downloaded...AC3, divx, and xvid...so I'm able to preview avis now.

VLC just doesn't seem that great to me for some reason.

[Nelson37]

Read up where, as high as your ankles? If you are still wondering whether to use a codec pack, WTF are you smoking while you are reading?

I don't think you could read more than two codec pack posts let alone entire threads on this site and still be undecided about codec packs.

Good start but read some more before you hurt yourself.

[mats.hogberg]

@ Nelson37: Even if I too was surprised to see this question asked yet again, there's no need to be rude.

/Mats

[majax79]

If you notice Nelson37, the majority of posts referred to ffdshow.

However, as I explained, I stopped using ffdshow because I was unable to generate avi previews in Windowx XP SP2.

[majax79]

Ok I've got a problem. I installed...ac3, divx, and xvid and some of my vids are not showing the preview thumbnail that I like. 1 is mpeg-2 and another is encoded DX50.

I have the codecs installed...and I went to start>run>and typed regsvr32 shmedia.dll yet that didn't work...any idea?

[mats.hogberg]

Nope. Most questions about the Explorer thumbnail preview revolve around how to disable it completely, as it has a tendency to lock the previewed file for other applications, or crash Explorer.

/Mats

[majax79]

I see. The only reason I ask is because I've got 100s of videos and some of them I'm not sure what they are. Sometimes, the preview helps to identify them so I don't have to open 50 before I find something I want to watch.

DO you know of any program that will do that seperately?

During installation of xvid I checked to decoded four cc's...will that interfere with the divx codec I installed?

[mats.hogberg]

During installation of xvid I checked to decoded four cc's...will that interfere with the divx codec I installed?

DivX and XviD are similar enough to be decoded using the same principles - what you've done is to set the XviD codec up to decode both XviD and DivX AVIs. If you experience problems with this, just open XviD configuration (Configure Decoder) and uncheck the fourcc you don't want XviD to handle.

/Mats

[majax79]

ok, everything is good now. Thank you for your help.

[Nelson37]

"I've read up on codec packs and individual codecs as well, but I'm still undecided on what to do."

I once took a life-saving action and was bitched at for being rude. Somebody had to say Something, if my statement causes the OP to take a second look at his policy on codec packs, I have taken action to help where no one else has, on this particular issue.

[majax79]

Nelson,

GET OVER IT!!!

It's not ALL about YOU.

[Nelson37]

I am Absolutely Certain Codec packs are a bad thing, with nearly 100% frequency. So does most everyone here.

You apparently are not aware of this.

This is a problem for YOU, not for me. This will cause issues and frustration for YOU, not for me. This will cause YOU to be back here asking numerous questions and attempting to solve numerous problems, and ultimately you will be told to REMOVE the codec pack. This will most likely solve your issue, months down the road, and this information will not come from ME.

Sweetness and light is all well and good, but that crap don't solve problems. I don't care if you don't like my methods. They work, without malfunction. The same cannot be said for your methods. As they say in North Dakota, tellwitcha.

[majax79]

Thanks to everyone for their help and I did install individual codecs.

[jagabo]

ultimately you will be told to REMOVE the codec pack. This will most likely solve your issue

Often removing the codec pack doesn't resolve the problem. Not because the codec pack didn't cause the problem but because it doesn't fully uninstall. It leaves behind many dll files and registry settings. People often end up resinstalling Windows to fix the damage the codec pack did.

Codec packs don't install only codecs. They install conflicting A/V file parsers, muxers, demuxers, colorspace converters, registry settings, etc.