Banki
02-23-2009, 01:44 AM
What Codecs Should I Use?
You have downloaded a video or audio file and you are unable to open it or it does not play properly. This can be due to a simple reason: a missing codec. But what codec(s) should i download?
• The easiest way to find out is to check the file extension. One thing to be noted is that some files can be named wrongly and some file formats such as AVI require different codecs depending on the file even if the file extension is the same.
• Other method - also very simple - to find out the proper codec for video/audio files is GSpot or AVIcodec. These small tools can help you to check what codecs you need and whether your computer is able to play the file(s).
Sometimes it would be simpler to just install most of the commonly used codecs so as to avoid having to search for one each time you download a file using a new codec. Such codec packs are available here at Free-Codecs.com, however, you must take precautions to ensure that there are no software conflicts.
Many users reported troubles with codec packs. Our advice is: Always use tools like GSpot and AVIcodec and try to install only the codecs you need. Almost all packs give you the option to select the codec before installation.
Codecs related tools:
• GSpot: is a video codec identification utility - identifies which video codec and audio compression method is used on .avi files, whether the matching codec is installed, and more.
• AVIcodec: gives detailled information, especially the codecs needed to play the file...
• Sherlock - The Codec Detective!: The Codec Detective helps to determine the codecs installed on computer and check to see if any of the codecs are broken.
• Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility: this utility helps you determine if an MPEG-2 video decoder is installed on your Windows XP computer...
• CodecInstaller: CodecInstaller detects which Audio and Video codecs are installed on your system and suggest you to install the ones necessary to correctly view the movie.
• MMCompView: displays the details of all installed multimedia components (codecs, ActiveX filters) and allows you disable/enable specific components.
• CodecViewer: is a little tool, which tells you which audio and video codecs you need for an avi file.
• DirectShow Filter Manager: helps to list, sort, find, add or remove DirectShow filters.
• DXMan: allows you to add or remove video and audio codecs and plugins.
• VideoInspector: is a Freeware which aim is to detect codec required by AVI, MKV, QT, etc etc files.
• RadLight Filter Manager: this little tool allows you to change merit of DirectShow filters and it can also be used to list all registered codecs and to register or unregister codecs.
You have downloaded a video or audio file and you are unable to open it or it does not play properly. This can be due to a simple reason: a missing codec. But what codec(s) should i download?
• The easiest way to find out is to check the file extension. One thing to be noted is that some files can be named wrongly and some file formats such as AVI require different codecs depending on the file even if the file extension is the same.
• Other method - also very simple - to find out the proper codec for video/audio files is GSpot or AVIcodec. These small tools can help you to check what codecs you need and whether your computer is able to play the file(s).
Sometimes it would be simpler to just install most of the commonly used codecs so as to avoid having to search for one each time you download a file using a new codec. Such codec packs are available here at Free-Codecs.com, however, you must take precautions to ensure that there are no software conflicts.
Many users reported troubles with codec packs. Our advice is: Always use tools like GSpot and AVIcodec and try to install only the codecs you need. Almost all packs give you the option to select the codec before installation.
Codecs related tools:
• GSpot: is a video codec identification utility - identifies which video codec and audio compression method is used on .avi files, whether the matching codec is installed, and more.
• AVIcodec: gives detailled information, especially the codecs needed to play the file...
• Sherlock - The Codec Detective!: The Codec Detective helps to determine the codecs installed on computer and check to see if any of the codecs are broken.
• Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility: this utility helps you determine if an MPEG-2 video decoder is installed on your Windows XP computer...
• CodecInstaller: CodecInstaller detects which Audio and Video codecs are installed on your system and suggest you to install the ones necessary to correctly view the movie.
• MMCompView: displays the details of all installed multimedia components (codecs, ActiveX filters) and allows you disable/enable specific components.
• CodecViewer: is a little tool, which tells you which audio and video codecs you need for an avi file.
• DirectShow Filter Manager: helps to list, sort, find, add or remove DirectShow filters.
• DXMan: allows you to add or remove video and audio codecs and plugins.
• VideoInspector: is a Freeware which aim is to detect codec required by AVI, MKV, QT, etc etc files.
• RadLight Filter Manager: this little tool allows you to change merit of DirectShow filters and it can also be used to list all registered codecs and to register or unregister codecs.