Best combo of codecs for best compatibility

[danball1976]

What is the best combo of codecs to play all types of AVI, MPG, OGM, and MKV video files? I am attaching a pic of the codecs and such that I do have.

[danball1976]

Noone has an answer?

[danball1976]

Alright, then, this is what I came up with, attached pic (I might not need to install XviD_1.0_RC4_05042004, because ffdshow is version 20040508 - released 4 days after XviD 1.0 RC4)

Normally, I would install the following:
DivX 5.1.1
XviD 1.0 RC4
KaZaA Lite Full Codec Pack
QuickTime Alternative
RealOne Alternative
OggDS 0.9.9.5

[Thrax]

Solid lineup of codecs, though you may want to introduce an mpeg2 codec into the mix.

[danball1976]

Like which one?
Wait, would PowerDVD work as an MPEG2 codec?

I added Elecard MPEG2 Decoder Package 2.0 to the codec list

I can't figure out why, but Windows Media Player 9 is erroring out when it plays WMV and ASF files. Also, windows explorer errors out just because with this codec setup, and it does it at random, mostly when I right click a file to play it in a different player, also WIndows just completely freezes for a few seconds when playing mutiple video files, which never happen before (must be because of the 56.72 nVidia drivers doing this)

Also, it seems, my normal way of installing codecs is more compatible, no erroring out. I must be missing a codec or two in my attempted new way of installing codecs.

--NOTE--
This reinstallation of windows was a experimental one to deal with a better way of installing codecs. But its odd for a forum as large as this, that noone knows whats best.

[danball1976]

Ok, below is a comparison of my tried new install, and my typical install

[Homme]

On behave of (I'm sure) thousand people out there and me, I would like to thank you for compiling a list of most esstential codecs. I have been searching for a while to find whats the best mix of codecs and finally I come across something like this.

Btw is there any particular installation instructions of any of the codecs and whats the best media player to use ? WMP 6.4? Classic? WMP 7 or 9 ?

Thanks again.

[Thrax]

If you plan on using an AC3 codec, it's best to use WMP classic.

[danball1976]

Here's the final list

There are no instructions, just install them in the order I have it.
I play MKV and OGG files in BSPlayer, but Media Player Classic works too.

The AC3 decoder is included with with the Matroska pack, and I have Matrix Mixer connect to the AC3 decoder

[Homme]

One question, why is that some movies, that I play the volume is really low even when turned up full in player and windows, but when I install Nimo Codecs they volume is much better ?

[Thrax]

I don't have an answer to that, however what I WOULD like to do is welcome you to Short Media and wish you a long and enjoyable stay.

[keto]

Dan, make this into an article with the whys and "what it runs" on each of the codecs. Think of it as a job jar slip you just pulled ;)

[danball1976]

What the heck is a "Job Jar Slip"?

And I can't tell you whys and "what it runs" on each of the codecs, I just know it works.

[entropy]

um, that quicktime alternative thingy ... is that so you can play .mov files in IE or whatever using wmp? a lot of people use .mov, and i HATE the quicktime software as it hijacks every file type it can, almost no matter what you tell it.

[profdlp]

um, that quicktime alternative thingy ... is that so you can play .mov files in IE or whatever using wmp?...
Yep. It uses WMP classic. There is a RealAlternative, too.

De-skunk-ify your media players!

[danball1976]

Yep. It uses WMP classic. There is a RealAlternative, too.

De-skunk-ify your media players!


Not Windows Media Player classic. The program is Media Player Classic. They took the old Windows Media PLayer, and modified it.

[profdlp]

Picky, picky... ;D

[Bud]

we should have a folder on here for download of a pack of essential codecs, that would be sweet

[profdlp]

we should have a folder on here for download of a pack of essential codecs, that would be sweet
Heh, heh, heh... (http://www.short-media.com/download.php?dc=67) :)

[Bud]

profdlp you are the man!