Codec packs. Needed in W7?

iviv · 21 Apr 2011 at 16:42

Hey guys,

Since XP I've taken it as read that I need some codec packs to watch various videos, I have collections of anime in a large variety of formats, so in XP I used the K-lite pack, before moving onto the CCCP. After switching to Vista, I made the jump to Shark007's Vista codec pack, and then to his Windows 7 codec pack, plus the x64 additions. And everything has been working perfectly.

However, I just installed the latest version of his packs, and they bundle the ask.com toolbar, without even giving you the option to not install it. So... I'm looking for an alternate option. What codec packs do people recommend, or can windows now deal with mkvs, and variously packed avi files?

Thanks!

cokecan · 21 Apr 2011 at 16:49

I never bother with codec packs anymore.

ffdshow Tryouts and the Haali Media Splitter will play anything you throw at it in media player

Alternatively maybe something like VLC or WMP:HC

pezzonovante · 21 Apr 2011 at 18:11

Yes, just install the wonder Shark007's codecs and you'll never have to worry about anything. WMP12 will be able to play everything you throw at it.

yashiro · 21 Apr 2011 at 18:25

You can try using just Haali Splitter with WMP or just use another app like VLC/Media Player Classic if you don't wish to soil your system with filters.

Mr Krugga · 21 Apr 2011 at 18:51

Spent a good few hours trying to sort out the codecs on my Win 7 install now.

1) Had to disable all filters through Catalyst Control Centre with my ATI graphics card.
2) Set several filters in ffdshow to suit different profiles
3) MPC-HC - disable several filters to enable ffdshow, madVR, AC3 Filter decoding...
4) Mess around with about thousand settings
5) Still can't set madVR to my liking though

Used this - http://www.homecinema-hd.com/intro_en.html, some knowledge and common sense.

Don't think it was worth it though.

iviv · 21 Apr 2011 at 19:22

pezzonovante said:
Yes, just install the wonder Shark007's codecs and you'll never have to worry about anything. WMP12 will be able to play everything you throw at it.

I've just said why I don't want to use his codecs? Unless that was sarcasm?

yashiro said:
You can try using just Haali Splitter with WMP or just use another app like VLC/Media Player Classic if you don't wish to soil your system with filters.

I do currently use MPC, and while I knew that could deal with some codecs automatically, I always assumed there would be some holes, meaning I would need a codec of some kind installed.

Mr Krugga said:
Spent a good few hours trying to sort out the codecs on my Win 7 install now.

1) Had to disable all filters through Catalyst Control Centre with my ATI graphics card.
2) Set several filters in ffdshow to suit different profiles
3) MPC-HC - disable several filters to enable ffdshow, madVR, AC3 Filter decoding...
4) Mess around with about thousand settings
5) Still can't set madVR to my liking though

Used this - http://www.homecinema-hd.com/intro_en.html, some knowledge and common sense.

Don't think it was worth it though.

Yeah, its all far too complicated. I'm not an audiophile, I don't listen to tons of music, I just want to be able to watch my videos in high def, they sound right, and the subs display, that's all I need XD

I may try uninstalling the codec packs and see if MPC-HC can play all the files I have.

opethdisciple · 21 Apr 2011 at 20:52

Keep it simple and just run vlc.

Liquid · 22 Apr 2011 at 00:52

pezzonovante said:
Yes, just install the wonder Shark007's codecs and you'll never have to worry about anything. WMP12 will be able to play everything you throw at it.

+1

jellybeard999 · 22 Apr 2011 at 01:23

Don't install anything. If something doesn't play, find out what it needs and install the individual codec.

pecnarf · 22 Apr 2011 at 02:55

well i stuck to using the K-lite pack, i always goto http://www.codecguide.com/ for the pack. one thing i say if you playback lot of divx or xvid you need to use the win7tweak tool as window 7 has it own decoder to decode divx and xvid the problem is that it can cause visual lag/freeze during playback.

Stoner81 · 22 Apr 2011 at 03:09

Install VLC Media Player it will play practically anything you throw at it, if you want to install codecs just in case then I use the Cole2k Codec Pack (Advanced version which included encoders too).

You can get it from here;

Code:

www.cole2k.net

Stoner81.

Aod · 22 Apr 2011 at 05:11

1. install latest MPC:HC Daily from http://www.xvidvideo.ru/media-player-classic-home-cinema-x86-x64/
2. Watch Media with MPC:HC
3. Rejoice!

pezzonovante · 22 Apr 2011 at 06:11

iviv said:
I've just said why I don't want to use his codecs? Unless that was sarcasm?

Oh, I replied without reading the post. Lol. However, I have recently installed Shark007's codecs on Win7 64 bit. And it didn't install any toolbars. I don't remember exactly, but I think there's an option in the installation process to opt out of it.

gam3r · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:08

Don't know if it's required or not, I installed K-lite codec pack for Win7, can't hurt I guess.

iviv · 22 Apr 2011 at 18:54

pezzonovante said:
Oh, I replied without reading the post. Lol. However, I have recently installed Shark007's codecs on Win7 64 bit. And it didn't install any toolbars. I don't remember exactly, but I think there's an option in the installation process to opt out of it.

Not in the latest version. It asks if you want to include some other stuff, but the toolbar is forced to install. See this post by him:
http://shark007.net/forum/Thread-Ask-Toolbar-installations?pid=18193#pid18193

during installation you must read and agree to an EULA.
by agreeing to the EULA, you agree to having the toolbar installed.

I apologize for the forced installation but I do provide regfiles to stop any further intrusions.

That's why I'm looking at switching away from the pack, I certainly dont want to use any software from him now :3

I'll try uninstalling the codec packs now and see if I can play everything. If not, is there an easy way to find out what codec I'm missing when I try to play something?

yashiro · 22 Apr 2011 at 19:17

Or, again, use VLC. Why so hell bent on using Windows Media Player?

pezzonovante · 22 Apr 2011 at 19:22

yashiro said:
Or, again, use VLC. Why so hell bent on using Windows Media Player?

Probably because WMP12 has a much better UI than VLC. Plus WMP12 has excellent library management features none of which are present in VLC.

pezzonovante · 22 Apr 2011 at 19:26

iviv said:
Not in the latest version. It asks if you want to include some other stuff, but the toolbar is forced to install. See this post by him:
http://shark007.net/forum/Thread-Ask-Toolbar-installations?pid=18193#pid18193

That's really disappointing to hear. I installed my copy in early March, so I didn't have to face this. But, I agree with you. Of all things, couldn't he find anything better than the Ask Toolbar, which is a known spyware? I guess I will keep using my spyware-free installer file in the future.

james.miller · 22 Apr 2011 at 19:29

i dont use any codec packs. never have.

ffdshow + MPC-HC does everything.

iviv · 22 Apr 2011 at 23:58

yashiro said:
Or, again, use VLC. Why so hell bent on using Windows Media Player?

I think only one person has mentioned Windows Media Player

Tried with MPC:HC and it seems to be dealing with everything fine except for subs in mkv files. I'll download ffdshow and see if that helps. Do I need to do any fancy setting things up, or is it just a matter of running it and that's it?