Installing ffdshow to solve codecs problem?

[giunghi]

Hi,
I have installed quite a few video editing and playing programs, together with different codecs. Now I have lost track of what is installed and mpegs crash (especially MPEG1- layer 2). I am not really expert enough to understand what the Gspot information means and codec sniper keeps crashing on start (I think it has something to do with my Python installation, but this is anotehr story). I was thinking of installing ffdshow in order to overwrite the old codecs but I don't know if (and how) I should unistall all the old codecs before or if it is safe to just install the codecpack on top of everything. Can someone explain how to get a clean installation without affecting, say, mplayer classic or virtualDub?

Apologies for the newbie's question and thanks in advance.

giunghi

[fritzi93]

Well, I'll leave it to someone else to give you a specific procedure. But I will say it can be touchy, and I've been in the same situation. Uninstalling codecs and installing ffdshow didn't fully solve the problems in my case. I ended up doing a format/clean install and then installing latest ffdshow. It's been fully satisfactory and I've done it that way on several computers now. Codec packs are a bad idea.

Good luck.

[giunghi]

you mean you formatted the hard disk and reinstalled the operating system? uhh, I don't think I want to do that: there must be an easier way. thanks anyway.

[Chris K]

and codec sniper keeps crashing on start

You could try DSFmgr (Direct Show Filter Manager). Does about the same as codec sniper and probably won't crash on XP.

Be careful what to delete. There's a lot of stuff installed by the Windows OS which you shouldn't touch.

[MysticE]

I've had good luck using this app.

http://paul.glagla.free.fr/filmerit_en.htm

[giunghi]

I've had good luck using this app.

http://paul.glagla.free.fr/filmerit_en.htm

Well that looks like something helpful. But! It hangs, when i double click it it shows the icon oin the window's menubar but it doesn't do anything. i am getting worried! Thanks a lot man.

[MysticE]

I've had good luck using this app.

http://paul.glagla.free.fr/filmerit_en.htm

Well that looks like something helpful. But! It hangs, when i double click it it shows the icon oin the window's menubar but it doesn't do anything. i am getting worried! Thanks a lot man.

Seems like you have some problems, both apps crashing is not a good sign.

Although I'll be slammed for this I've read a number of posts where the K-Lite Codec Pack has been able to fix things. Might be your only last resort (before a reformat) option.

* It tries to avoid potential conflicts with other codecs installed on your computer. The installer is able to detect and remove over 100 different codec and filter packs.

* The installer is able to detect broken codecs and filters on your system, and helps you to remove them.

http://www.codecguide.com/index.html

You can try the Tweak Tool on it's own and see if you have any luck.

http://download.chip.eu/en/K-Lite-Codec-Tweak-Tool_4423359.html

[fritzi93]

Seems like you have some problems, both apps crashing is not a good sign.

Not a good sign at all. But since you don't want to hear the "F" word, you might as well try MysticE's suggestion.

[EDIT] IIRC, it was the Nimo Codec Pack that screwed my computer, must have been, well, at least several years ago. (Curse you Nimo!) I think that's where the admonition comes from not to use a codec pack. It was certain death. Still, surely it's wise to install only what you need. All bets are off in the above case, obviously, as the OP may already be screwed. Sorry.

[giunghi]

I've had good luck using this app.

http://paul.glagla.free.fr/filmerit_en.htm

Mystice: I did follow your advice and the program completely skrewed up my windows system!! I don't know if it is a malaware or if I've been unlucky or something but it took me 4 hours to get windows back on its feet.

As regards the codec packs, that's exactly what i want to avoid because I have tons of codecs and I need to get rid of some, not add more on top of those. it looks like a very difficult thing to do.

Gonna try the K-lite tweak tool as soon as i recover from the filmmerit shock.

Thanks to you all.

marco

[jagabo]

Playing an MPG file doesn't just require MPEG audio and video decoders. You also need a MPEG File Reader and a MPEG File Splitter (aka demultiplexer). You probably have incompatibilities between those components.

[MysticE]

I've had good luck using this app.

http://paul.glagla.free.fr/filmerit_en.htm

Mystice: I did follow your advice and the program completely skrewed up my windows system!! I don't know if it is a malaware or if I've been unlucky or something but it took me 4 hours to get windows back on its feet.

As regards the codec packs, that's exactly what i want to avoid because I have tons of codecs and I need to get rid of some, not add more on top of those. it looks like a very difficult thing to do.

Gonna try the K-lite tweak tool as soon as i recover from the filmmerit shock.

Thanks to you all.

marco

I guess I should have said 'to look for some clues'.

K-Lite gets slammed, but this should be noted:

- The installer is fully customizable, so you can let it install exactly those components that suit your specific needs.
- Uninstallation removes everything that was installed by the pack. Including all registry keys. All changes are properly undone.

It's one download that contains many things I need/use. Among them:

Media Player Classic Home Cinema
GSpot
MediaInfo
GraphStudio
ffdshow
XviD
AC3Filter
Haali Media Splitter
DirectVobSub
FourCC Changer
Bitrate Calculator

Why scour the net for each individual piece when it's all there?

So many folks seem to chime in that 'codec packs are junk, I just install what I need'. That's what I do also with K-Lite. Almost every video and audio codec/filter/app available in one download.

In your case it appears you have some major system problems and are reluctant to reformat. My suggestions are last gasp measures.

A few more K-Lite tidbits:

- The installer is able to detect and remove over 100 different codec and filter packs.
- The installer is able to detect broken codecs and filters on your system, and helps you to remove them.

Good Luck

[jagabo]

- Uninstallation removes everything that was installed by the pack. Including all registry keys. All changes are properly undone.

This part is simply untrue. At least it was untrue when I used it in the past.