Video Codecs?

Cavallino

Cavallino

Cavallino

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Due to a reinstall I need to stick on a new set of codecs. What is the most complete codec pack out there at the mo? I used to use CCCP or something I believe.

Thanks.
 
Why do you need a codec pack?

VLC will play 99.9% of stuff without the need for a bloated codec pack.
 
I have used k-lite for years as I like to use Windows Media Player
don't like VLC
as for a bloated codec pack lol, it about 50mb its not like we don't have enough space these days
back in the day when I had just an 850mb hdd I could understand that but not now
 
It's bloated because most people don't need every single bundled codec. It makes much more sense to download individual codecs. Mediainfo can be used to identify codecs.
 
MPC-HC and ffdshow tryouts is all i've ever needed and plays everything from the movies ive taken on my phone to bit-perfect bluray rips with HD audio.
 
KIA said:
Why do you need a codec pack?

VLC will play 99.9% of stuff without the need for a bloated codec pack.
Click to expand...

Hmm is it standalone with no codecs that need to be installed? But will play most things?

Usually used media player classic that comes with a lot of codecs.
 
VLC shares the main component that is bundled in CCCP: the libavcodec library.
Note that VLC is a bigger download package.

The advantage with VLC, as with MPC, is that they can use codecs exclusively for themselves with minimal fuss to the rest of the OS.

Of course if you deliberately need codecs to work in a universal fashion across the computer, registering codec packs is convenient. Eg: wanting an encoder, working via directshow, to create video that looks the same, with subs, as when you watched the source video in your directshow-compatible player of choice.
 
Cheers folks. Very insightful responses.

Im leaning towards trying VLC so will give it a try.

Does VLC download codecs on the fly? I.e if you view a certain video which you do not have the codec for, it downloads it? Or does it come already with a vast library of codecs and uses the one as and when?
 
Cavallino said:
Cheers folks. Very insightful responses.

Im leaning towards trying VLC so will give it a try.

Does VLC download codecs on the fly? I.e if you view a certain video which you do not have the codec for, it downloads it? Or does it come already with a vast library of codecs and uses the one as and when?
Click to expand...

I'm sure it comes with them all. Works very nicely too.
 
I prefer MPC-HC over VLC, but I've found it occasionally chokes on files which VLC will play with no problem (using the internal codecs in each case). The reverse can also happen, but less frequently in my experience.

There's no harm in having both installed, neither is exactly bloatware - you can have one as the default player, and the other as a right-click option for the times when the main player won't play ball for whatever reason.
 
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