do you need to install both XviD and DivX?

[rahzel]

i always used to just install the XviD and DivX codecs, and i never had a problem playing a video. i then decided to uninstall both, and just install ffdshow, and it was fine for a while, until one avi file (don't know what codec was used) had problems with playback. the video wouldnt play, but it would show the image. if i moved the slider, it would show the right video position, but it wouldnt play (like as if it were paused).... yes i did make sure the video was playing.

anyway, i'd like to go back to the way i always had it, but i'm wondering if both codecs are even needed. i first installed divx, and tried playing an xvid video, and it played fine. i also tried playing the problematic video, and it always played fine.

i do do a lot of xvid/divx encodind, though... are both codecs needed for encoding?

[CWR03]

Only one MPEG-4 codec is needed for decoding; you only need a codec installed for encoding if you're using it to encode.

[rahzel]

so you're saying, you only need one of the codecs (either or?) for playing an xvid/divx file, but you need both for encoding? ie, you need xvid to encode to xvid, and divx to encode to divx? what if you encode divx/xvid to DVD with say TMPGEnc, do you need both installed?

[joseph5]

so you're saying, you only need one of the codecs (either or?) for playing an xvid/divx file, but you need both for encoding? ie, you need xvid to encode to xvid, and divx to encode to divx? what if you encode divx/xvid to DVD with say TMPGEnc, do you need both installed?

No, you don't.

[rahzel]

which do you recommend i keep installed then? divx or xvid? or would it hurt to have both installed?

[CWR03]

so you're saying, you only need one of the codecs (either or?) for playing an xvid/divx file, but you need both for encoding? ie, you need xvid to encode to xvid, and divx to encode to divx?
If you use both XviD and DivX for encoding, then you need them both installed.
what if you encode divx/xvid to DVD with say TMPGEnc, do you need both installed?
No, because you only need a particular codec installed when encoding to that format.
which do you recommend i keep installed then? divx or xvid? or would it hurt to have both installed?
It doesn't make any difference if you use ffdshow since it does all the filtering, and it doesn't "hurt" anything to have them both.