Best CODEC for out-of-box compatibility?

[Palmnut]

Not really a 'new' CODEC question, but there isn't a generic 'traditional' CODEC forum ;-)

I have to produce some training videos that users will be expected to run on their own PCs. I have no control over what will be on these PCs and would rather not have to distribute software and CODECs if I have to - many of the users will be working in 'locked-down' environments where they cannot install uncontrolled software. I can assume they will have relatively modern PCs and can probably now assume Windows XP.

Which CODEC should I use to achieve the best possible quality vs compression (target 30 minutes on one CD), whilst maintaining the greatest likelyhood that the user will already have the CODEC?

[unskinnyboy]

Encode the files as MPEG-1 (extension *.mpg/*.mpeg) so that any PC running Windows should be able to natively decode it.

Also have a look at this (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93181) thread.

[Selur]

if they all have windows systems wmv should be okay, not all have windows system the only thing that should definitly be available is mpeg1. :D

Cu Selur

[Palmnut]

Damn it! Where did that other thread come from? I'm normally scrupulous at looking through to make sure I'm not duplicating - but I never spotted that one until I logged back in to see if there had been any replies to this question, when it leaped straight out at me. I sincerely apologise to all for duplication.

Looks like MPEG 1 with, I assume, MPEG1 Layer 2 audio.

[stephanV]

you could use mp3 as well i think, that should be supported pretty much out of the box too (on Windows systems anyway)

[Richard Berg]

Win95 first edition doesn't even do MPEG1 -- you have to use Indeo (maybe Cinepak?). So long as you're not targetting this dinosaur, though, MPEG1 is best.

[video]

Palmnut if the machines are vanilla wxp(sp1) ones, you may try a windows media video 7, available via mocrosoft movie maker or vindows media encoder. be careful with wmv9, because that requires at least media player 9 installed.

However - if standalone DVD player available or a dvd player application is guaranteed to exist on those windows boxes, i recommend authoring an SVCD. Since DVD-R is extremely cheap today what about making a DVD?

[video]

Originally posted by Richard Berg
Win95 first edition doesn't even do MPEG1 -- you have to use Indeo (maybe Cinepak?). So long as you're not targetting this dinosaur, though, MPEG1 is best.

not true. win95 original/osr1/osr2 install cds were sold with amy garnt's good time and wheezer's buddy holly video clips on it (in europe at least :)). both are mpeg1 system streams

[thed33p]

Originally posted by video
... with amy garnt's good time ...

Edie Brickell, actually ;)

[Shinigami-Sama]

Originally posted by Richard Berg
Win95 first edition doesn't even do MPEG1 -- you have to use Indeo (maybe Cinepak?). So long as you're not targetting this dinosaur, though, MPEG1 is best.
haahaahahahaaa
I have to use ffdshow for windows to let me watch indeo xp home sp1 says I need to buy it :rolleyes: