What are the best codec packs around?

Joebob · 9 Dec 2009 at 16:28

Having problems with media player looking really blocky when playing divx - anyone know what the best free codec packs are these days?

Smit · 9 Dec 2009 at 16:42

I always use K-Lite Mega Codec Pack but most people on here use VLC I think

Rozzy85 · 9 Dec 2009 at 17:11

CCCP http://www.cccp-project.net/ is good if you just want playback.

Personally I use K-Lite as I also encode stuff. Never had an issue with it.

Sin_Chase · 9 Dec 2009 at 17:15

None.

Use VLC or download Codecs as necessary imo.

No point installing 5 million codecs when you use perhaps 5.

I have installed DivX/XviD (for encoding purposes) and AC3 filters. Nothing else needed in conjunction with VLC for me.

benjo · 9 Dec 2009 at 17:16

I've used Vista Codec pack, with x64 components.

Also use MPC-HC.

Seft · 9 Dec 2009 at 17:17

Sin_Chase said:
No point installing 5 million codecs when you use perhaps 5.

Pho · 9 Dec 2009 at 17:21

ffdshow tryouts.

And then make it upscale properly for ultimate sharpness: http://savvygeek.com/2008/06/27/htpc-guide-part-5-upscaling-dvd-video/

Rroff · 9 Dec 2009 at 17:24

K-Lite with "lots of stuff option" - sure it puts quite a few bits on but I've rarely if ever had any problems with playback due to conflicts or because I didn't have a capable codec. Comes with media player classic which works a treat.

Sin_Chase · 9 Dec 2009 at 17:26

Pho said:
ffdshow tryouts.

And then make it upscale properly for ultimate sharpness: http://savvygeek.com/2008/06/27/htpc-guide-part-5-upscaling-dvd-video/

Was great back when we used to watch DVDs. Remember marvelling at the extra clarity you could get from a DVD

Somewhat obsolete since BluRay and 720/1080 content became so common though.

Schizophonic · 9 Dec 2009 at 17:29

If your using MPC-HC. Make sure you enable the codecs within the player to actually use those codecs. If not MPC-HC will use its own internal codecs.

Joebob · 9 Dec 2009 at 17:29

Excellent. Will try a few out and see which is best cheers chaps

Meatball · 9 Dec 2009 at 17:34

Shark007 pack

.

AbsenceJam · 9 Dec 2009 at 17:43

No need for any codec packs, MPC-HC alone plays everything with its ffmpeg based internal filters and does DXVA. All you might want to add is ffdshow-tryouts for advanced filters, upscaling etc. Possibly the madVR renderer as well.

Pho · 9 Dec 2009 at 18:12

Sin_Chase said:
Was great back when we used to watch DVDs. Remember marvelling at the extra clarity you could get from a DVD

Somewhat obsolete since BluRay and 720/1080 content became so common though.

If you're watching standard def. stuff then it's good - I tend to record freeview on my PC and then boost the resolution.

Well, I did - I'm currently using VLC because it handles bad-signal skipping much better than Windows Media Player and has keyboard shortcuts to skip in small intervals.

I agree it's probably slightly overkill for BluRay

.

IAmATeaf · 9 Dec 2009 at 19:52

Meatball said:
Shark007 pack .

This is what I use, remember to get and install the x64 pack after installing the x86 pack, assuming you're running an x64 OS that is

jbloggs · 9 Dec 2009 at 20:55

Meatball said:
Shark007 pack .

These are pretty good....

wonderlust · 9 Dec 2009 at 20:55

I don't use a Codec pack I followed the set up bibles on The Green Button.

Long winded to set up but everything works without issues.

swinnie · 9 Dec 2009 at 21:15

VLC Media Player.

Greenlizard0 · 9 Dec 2009 at 23:20

VLC Media Player for almost all files.

The MPC HC + FFDShow for those *.mkv files.

Rroff · 10 Dec 2009 at 01:04

Joebob said:
Excellent. Will try a few out and see which is best cheers chaps

Please don't do this... installing multiple codec packs prone to disaster - even when uninstalled they never completely leave the machine and codec incompatibilities are rife.