So many codecs!

[Culvin]

I haven't done much with media on my computer in awhile, but now I want to and am trying to get caught up with the codecs (particularly video). I've read through the faqs and forums here, but there are so many codecs listed! :scared:

Could I please get a general rundown of what codecs I should be looking for to handle most of today's media on XP? I don't suppose they're all bundled up in one pack anywhwhere?

Thanks.

[McoreD]

Hi Culvin,

I will try to list some popular media formats you will need to handle in XP.

Windows Media Player 9.00.2980 can handle all its Windows Media formats:
- Windows Media 7 [version 7.1.0.3055]
- Windows Media 8 [version 8.0.0.371]
- Windows Media 9 [version 9.0.1.369]

To handle these format you will have to download codec from their website or (get it from a codec pack - I read somewhere here that it could cause problems, however I have it installed and no problems yet).
- DivX [version 5.1.1] [Decoding]
- DivX ;) MPEG-4 Low and Fast motion [version 4.1.0.3927]
- XviD [24/June/2003] [Decoding]
- 3ivx [version D4 4.5] [Decoding]

Welcome to the board. :)

[Tuning]

If you are only interested in playback there is a decoder called FFDShow. It can handle almost all kinds of codecs. ;)

[Justinus]

Don't forget RealMedia as well ;)

BTW all these formats including those mentioned above are generic formats that people have been using widely for watching movie only. If you're looking for common codecs for video editing, maybe somebody else in the forum can suggest you.