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All in one codec pack?

D

dennisjai

2[H]4U
Joined
Jan 20, 2005
Messages
2,973
Is there any codec packs you guys recommend?

I use MKV, DivX, FFDShow, Real, and Quicktime codecs..

is there anything that combines all of these into 1? thanks.
 
MKV is a container format, not a codec. The others are codecs, but but but... this is one of those questions where you're going to get a lot of varied answers, most based on personal preference.

Having said that, my combination is thus:

Media Player Classic for all video media playback, and it's included with several codec "packs" nowadays, but I've moved on from "packs" and just use FFDShow since it plays back so many various formats with primarily one codec. For QuickTime I have QuickTime Alternative installed, and that's that.

One player (MPC) + primarily one codec (FFDShow) + QuickTime capability (QuickTime Alternative) = about 99% of the content floating around on the Internet today. Short and sweet, no muss, not much fuss.

Real? I wouldn't play one of those files if someone paid me... ;)
 
I used to use Media Player Classic + ffdshow + Real/QuickTime Alternative. Now I just use VLC (screw Real).
 
Joe Average said:
MKV is a container format, not a codec. The others are codecs, but but but... this is one of those questions where you're going to get a lot of varied answers, most based on personal preference.

Having said that, my combination is thus:

Media Player Classic for all video media playback, and it's included with several codec "packs" nowadays, but I've moved on from "packs" and just use FFDShow since it plays back so many various formats with primarily one codec. For QuickTime I have QuickTime Alternative installed, and that's that.

One player (MPC) + primarily one codec (FFDShow) + QuickTime capability (QuickTime Alternative) = about 99% of the content floating around on the Internet today. Short and sweet, no muss, not much fuss.

Real? I wouldn't play one of those files if someone paid me... ;)
Click to expand...

Identical setup and attitude here :)
 
I use the aforementioned Combined Community Codec Pack with Quicktime Alternative and Real Alternative.

I wish I could get away from real, but I like listening to the Prairie Home Companion Radio show and it's always streamed in real media from the website. If it weren't for that, I'd dump it.
 
Combo packs are bad news. I had a buddy a few years ago that did a lot of media codec work and shows how most of the combo packs just end up having competing codecs.

Divx + AC3 Filter + a DVD codec has always treated me well (one from a dvd player program).
 
ffdshow and haali media splitter r the only 2 things u need to install . dont install any codec pack, they r bloated with things u dont need .
 
I also like CCCP. It's not all that large and bloated, take a look if you haven't. Or at least not to near the extent klite is.
 
Grentz said:
Combo packs are bad news. I had a buddy a few years ago that did a lot of media codec work and shows how most of the combo packs just end up having competing codecs.

Divx + AC3 Filter + a DVD codec has always treated me well (one from a dvd player program).
Click to expand...

The Combined Community Codec Pack is put together purposely so that none of the codecs are competing with one another, unlike K-Lite which throws every single codec into one and leaves you to configure it or the codecs to fight it out.

From the CCCP FAQ:

When a codec pack has five decoders that do the same thing (as K-Lite does), it's almost impossible to work out what the problem is if something breaks. With the CCCP, we wanted to create a compact codec pack, which had less annoying extras, and fewer places for problems to crop up in.
Click to expand...
 
ffdshow will decode like 90% of the media on the internet (add quicktime alt and you get 99%). VLC can handle the remaining obscure formats. I still have xvid and x264 installed for encoding purposes though.

codec packs are by and large unnecessary and in the past have invited plenty of trouble.
 
drdeutsch said:
unlike K-Lite which throws every single codec into one and leaves you to configure it or the codecs to fight it out.
Click to expand...

How deep out of your butt did you pull that out of? I've never had to configure anything after installing K-lite, everything has always behaved as expected.
 
TheGamerZ said:
How deep out of your butt did you pull that out of? I've never had to configure anything after installing K-lite, everything has always behaved as expected.
Click to expand...

Then you have not dove into more advanced encoding or encountered any files that two codecs fight over.

I have seen lots of issues from the K-Lite packs, but truthfully it just is luck of the draw if you get into one of those situations where it does not work.

I still would rather install the codecs I know I need separately.
 
Codec packs FTL.
Quicktime (its really not that bad, get over yourself), MPC (w/CoreAVC, AC3Filter, and Haali Media Splitter) for any x/h264 MKV's, and VLC for anything else. Done deal.
 
criccio said:
Codec packs FTL.
Quicktime (its really not that bad, get over yourself), MPC (w/CoreAVC, AC3Filter, and Haali Media Splitter) for any x/h264 MKV's, and VLC for anything else. Done deal.
Click to expand...

So codec packs sucks but you want to install 3 separate programs? That sounds so much simpler. :rolleyes:

Why not just install CCCP (1 program) and QT Lite (no bloat) and you get all of it instead of having to install 3 separate programs. Really, you could do with FFDShow and MPC and get 99% of the functionality that you described up there.

Actually, sometimes you don't even need QT to decode QT movies. FFDSHow can decode .mov files with the Libravcodec (Doesn't do a great job, but it works in a pinch).

Last time I checked, CoreAVC wasn't free, either. You can get a trial version, but why would you recommend someone keep installing it or pay for it when the CCCP does a fine job of dealing with MKVs anyway.
 
As a matter of fact, i dont actually have QT and VLC installed, as the only video i watch on my PC is 720p/1080p x264 MKV's, abd for that MPC w/CoreAVC is all you need. I just mentioned the others as i guess some people still watch ancient 480p Xvid stuff... *shudders*
:D
 
criccio said:
I just mentioned the others as i guess some people still watch ancient 480p Xvid stuff... *shudders*
:D
Click to expand...

Exactly. Most people still watch Xvid, Divx, x264 and avi, mpg, mov, wmv, etc. They watch a variety of containers and codecs and generally need more than 1 program/codec to view them all. Hence the need for easy-to-use Codec Packs like CCCP.

Option 1 - Install Quicktime 7, VLC, and MPC (and buy CoreAVC according to your recommendation)

Option 2 - Install CCCP (or K-Lite etc, although those suck, in my opinion) and enjoy (QT Lite optional).

I wonder which most people would use... hmmm....
 
Option 3 - Install Quicktime Lite, FFDShow and Media Player Classic - all free

All your film are belong to us :)

FFDShow is quite incredible as it can play back so much without installing over your current codecs.
Its configuration menus are extremely concise and easy to use too.
You can watch the changes you make while the movie is playing and do split screen for direct comparison to see what is most effective.
I use the 'post processing' and 'overlay' sections to really enhance video playback, noticeable improvements.
An awesome package.
 
drdeutsch said:
So codec packs sucks but you want to install 3 separate programs? That sounds so much simpler. :rolleyes:

Why not just install CCCP (1 program) and QT Lite (no bloat) and you get all of it instead of having to install 3 separate programs. Really, you could do with FFDShow and MPC and get 99% of the functionality that you described up there.

Actually, sometimes you don't even need QT to decode QT movies. FFDSHow can decode .mov files with the Libravcodec (Doesn't do a great job, but it works in a pinch).

Last time I checked, CoreAVC wasn't free, either. You can get a trial version, but why would you recommend someone keep installing it or pay for it when the CCCP does a fine job of dealing with MKVs anyway.
Click to expand...


You do know CCCP is the same idea as installing multiple programs...just one mass installer front end GUI to it all...

By installing them separatly you know what you are installing even though it might take a few more clicks. Codec packs just do it for you without you being involved and thus sometimes install too much more too little or things that conflict.
 
Grentz said:
You do know CCCP is the same idea as installing multiple programs...just one mass installer front end GUI to it all...

By installing them separatly you know what you are installing even though it might take a few more clicks. Codec packs just do it for you without you being involved and thus sometimes install too much more too little or things that conflict.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm aware of that and exactly my point. Why install 3 programs when you can install one?

If you complain that you don't know what you're getting, then perhaps you should read the installation screens a bit closer - CCCP at least (not sure about the others) tell you exactly which codecs you are installing and ask you to configure it after install. Seems pretty straightforward to me.

Anyway, the title of the thread and the OP clearly suggest that they want to find an "all in one codec pack" not "which programs should I install to watch 99.9% of videos."
 
drdeutsch said:
So codec packs sucks but you want to install 3 separate programs? That sounds so much simpler. :rolleyes:

Why not just install CCCP (1 program) and QT Lite (no bloat) and you get all of it instead of having to install 3 separate programs. Really, you could do with FFDShow and MPC and get 99% of the functionality that you described up there.

Actually, sometimes you don't even need QT to decode QT movies. FFDSHow can decode .mov files with the Libravcodec (Doesn't do a great job, but it works in a pinch).

Last time I checked, CoreAVC wasn't free, either. You can get a trial version, but why would you recommend someone keep installing it or pay for it when the CCCP does a fine job of dealing with MKVs anyway.
Click to expand...

drdeutsch said:
Exactly. Most people still watch Xvid, Divx, x264 and avi, mpg, mov, wmv, etc. They watch a variety of containers and codecs and generally need more than 1 program/codec to view them all. Hence the need for easy-to-use Codec Packs like CCCP.

Option 1 - Install Quicktime 7, VLC, and MPC (and buy CoreAVC according to your recommendation)

Option 2 - Install CCCP (or K-Lite etc, although those suck, in my opinion) and enjoy (QT Lite optional).

I wonder which most people would use... hmmm....
Click to expand...

Nenu said:
Option 3 - Install Quicktime Lite, FFDShow and Media Player Classic - all free

All your film are belong to us :)

FFDShow is quite incredible as it can play back so much without installing over your current codecs.
Its configuration menus are extremely concise and easy to use too.
You can watch the changes you make while the movie is playing and do split screen for direct comparison to see what is most effective.
I use the 'post processing' and 'overlay' sections to really enhance video playback, noticeable improvements.
An awesome package.
Click to expand...


Yes but CCCp pretty much consists of 7 things which all work well (although i find no need for zoom player)

the problem is with most other codec packs they install 50 diff avi players and all this extra crap you dont need.....

cccp.jpg



for the last ...mm.... 11 years i have dealt with codec packs, i have watched the birth of Xvid and so on... and so many community codecs packs cause so many issues,
upside down video anyone?
green video output anyone?
out of synce audio anyone?

i will chime in on this and i know many wont beleive me, but i have prob dealt with more codecs and compression utilities then most of you even know about and lets say this all has to do with "the scene" ;) ya, some of you know what i mean, and i will go behind CCCP long before any shit like Gordon knot shit pack

FFDSHOW
 
MPC + FFDShow + QuickTime Alternative = 99% capability for anything out there, as noted before. CCCP just throws some of those items into a "pack" format that's popular, but I still don't prefer that format. I'd rather have the individual items, installed individually, as I require them. As for RealMedia, I wouldn't install RealAlternative or even download a RealMedia file if someone paid me... *ugh* :)
 
^^ didom to me RM is dead, anyone who uses RM needs to be shot and chances are there is something better out there in a better format, i have NEVER liked RM except like 10 years ago when it was actually popular and decent.
 
RM is just annoying, and still some places only supply video in RM format :rolleyes:
 
RealMedia is popular with the anime/manga/OAV community because it compresses the graphics formats for most of those type of movies and shows really well. I can understand that, to some degree, until something better does come along sooner or later. I myself just won't touch Real content, ever. The one or two times I have, the first thing I did after acquiring the content was convert it post-haste to a real format (no pun intended). ;) It's also still popular for audio streams as it has plenty of DRM if required and does fairly well for low bitrates and semi-pseudo-almost-half-ass-acceptable quality.
 
after a format i usaully just install ffdshow and never have a problem later on if i find the need for quicktime i install it then. I used to install those codec packs but have found ffdshow to be more reliable.
 
The programs I have installed are PowerDVD 8 Ultra, VLC, and Quicktime. I watch everything in PowerDVD except for .mkv files, which I use VLC for. Most people will probably condemn this combo, but whatever. I actually think PowerDVD Ultra is pretty good. It plays practically everything (including Blu-Ray and HD-DVD), supports (video card) hardware acceleration better than any other program, and it expands all videos to PC levels correctly. The only real downsides are that it's not very configurable (but the default settings are pretty good) and it's a bit bloated and slow.

Which version of MPC do you guys use (or which version comes with CCCP)? I'm afraid to use MPC because it hasn't been updated in a few years and doesn't support the latest rendering methods. There's also MPC Home Cinema, which has new features and is updated regularly over at the Doom9 forums, but there's a massive thread over there with bugs constantly being found. I don't want a buggy player.
 
MPC is updated on a very regular basis - you must be speaking of the original builds at SourceForge.

www.free-codecs.com is the place to locate the more recent builds of MPC and MPC Cinema, an offshoot that adds some features for "home cinema" boxes. Current build is still 6.4.9.1 but the build date is from April 2008. The development continues, but it's not specifically Gabest doing the work anymore. It is an open source media player, after all.

I've never had any issues with MPC in the years I've been using it. It's my primary media player of choice, has been since it was first released. If and when a bug or glitch happens, it's because of the video file itself 99% of the time, which is sortakinda rare but it does happen sometimes.

My actual DVD playback is still done with WinDVD 5 because every version since that one has been shitty bloatware and I won't use 'em. All other video playback is MPC + FFDShow (whatever the latest build is at Free-Codecs.com) and using QuickTime Alternative (same thing from Free-Codecs.com) for .mov files if I locate them, which is usually just movie trailers from Apple.com or wherever.

Everything works, no issues to speak of.
 
I really want to like MPC but...

Yikes... I see that the version of MPC included with CCCP is over 2 years old.

MPC 6.4.9.1 seems to have no support for EVR or DXVA.

MPCHC seems buggy.
 
criccio said:
Codec packs FTL.
Quicktime (its really not that bad, get over yourself), MPC (w/CoreAVC, AC3Filter, and Haali Media Splitter) for any x/h264 MKV's, and VLC for anything else. Done deal.
Click to expand...

heh, thats Exactly what I use with the exception of having xvid also.

MPC, Coreavc, Haali, AC3 and VLC, but with a touch of xvid.

Oh, I forgot, sometimes I also install purevideo, it isnt installed atm, but I do sometimes install it when I can be arsed.

me no likey codec packs.
 
Off topic question. If I am running a 64-bit OS but a 32-bit media player, I should use 32-bit codecs right?
 
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