Before installation:
It is highly recommended to first uninstall other codec related packages before installing this package. This way your system stays clean and potential problems will be avoided. This installer is able to automatically detect a lot of codec packs and it will ask you if you want to uninstall them.
Close all multimedia applications (media players, video editors, browsers, filesharing tools, etc) before installing this pack.
Installation:
Below on this page you can find some information about all components included in this codec pack. Please read this information thoroughly. Leave all settings in the installer at their default values if you don't know exactly what you should install.
After installation:
It is recommended to run the Reset to recommended settings shortcut after the first installation. This should be done on all user accounts, except for the administrator account that was used to perform the installation. This will make sure all filters are correctly configured.
Unattended installation:
An unattended installation is a silent installation that doesn't require any user interaction.
Run the setup with the command-line parameter -MakeUnattended to create an unattended setup. A wizard called "Unattended Install Maker" will appear. Follow the instructions given in the wizard.
Codecs explained
Most players use DirectShow for playback. DirectShow is a system that uses multiple DirectShow filters as building blocks to construct what is called a DirectShow graph. A file is a root of this graph and the audio and video renderers are the leaves of the graph. During playback data flows from the root to the leaves. Each filter in the graph performs a subtask of the whole process. Typical elements in the graph are a source filter, which is often also called a splitter or parser, and decoders for the audio and video. A source filter is responsible for reading the file format and feeding the data to the other filters downstream in the graph. During graph creation, if DirectShow finds multiple filters that are able to perform the same subtask, then it will typically select the filter that has the highest merit. The merit of a filter is simply a numerical value that indicates the preferability of the filter. Tools exist to alter the merit of a DS filter. Advanced players are often able to manipulate which filters are used in the graph, allowing for example to block or prefer certain filters. If no suitable DirectShow filter can be found to decode a certain audio/video format, then DirectShow is able to fall back to using VFW and ACM codecs (see below) through special wrapper filters.
It is a myth that filters can 'conflict' with each other. If something goes wrong it is simply because some filters in the graph are not performing their subtasks correctly. The filters in this pack are carefully selected to provide you with optimal functionality and a minimal chance of running into problems.
Codec is short for 'compressor-decompressor', a piece of software that is able to decode and encode a certain format. By this definition, a DirectShow filter is not a codec.
Two other systems are VFW (Video For Windows) and ACM (Audio Compression Manager). Components for these system are called codecs, because they are typically able to both encode and decode. These two types of codecs are required by most video editing applications, such as VirtualDub. Traditional video editing applications are not able to use DirectShow. More modern applications are sometimes capable of using DirectShow for decoding, but they usually still require VFW and ACM codecs for encoding.
Components:
# means that ffdshow is able to decode the same format(s) as the marked component. So you don't necessarily need to install the marked component if you install ffdshow.
# means that Media Player Classic is able to decode the same format(s) as the marked component. So you don't necessarily need to install the marked component if you install MPC and use it as your default player.
Player:
Media Player Classic [version 6.4.9.1 rev. 55]
This is a full-featured player which has internal decoding support for DVD, MPEG-1/2, MP3, MP2, AAC, AC3 and DTS. It also has internal support for opening MP4, Matroska and Ogg containers. Media Player Classic is also capable of playing QuickTime and RealMedia content if those codecs are installed.
ffdshow:
ffdshow [revision 2035]
ffdshow is a very powerful DirectShow filter that can decode many audio and video formats. It also contains lots of options for manipulation of the audio and video, such as resizing and post-processing. Examples of supported video formats are: DivX, Xvid, MPEG-4, H.264/AVC, MPEG-2, FLV1, FLV4, VP3, VP6, and MJPEG. Examples of supported audio formats are: MP3, AAC, AC3, DTS, LPCM, Vorbis, MP1, MP2, AMR, and IMA ADPCM.
DirectShow video decoding filters:
MPEG-2 (Cyberlink) [version 8.2.0.530] # #
For decoding MPEG-2 video.
Cyberlink also support playback of DVD video in Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center.
Windows Vista (Home Premium / Ultimate) already contains its own MPEG-2 and DVD decoder. So you don't need to install this one, unless you prefer it over the MS decoder.
DirectShow source filters:
AVI splitter (Gabest) [version 1.0.0.9] #
AVI splitter (Haali Media Splitter) [version 1.8.122.18] #
For parsing the AVI container (.avi files).
MP4/3GP/MOV splitter (Haali Media Splitter) [version 1.8.122.18] #
MP4/3GP/MOV splitter (Gabest) [version 1.0.0.4] #
For parsing the MP4/MOV/3GP containers (.mp4 .m4v .hdmov .mov .3gp files).
Matroska splitter (Haali Media Splitter) [version 1.8.122.18] #
For parsing the Matroska container (.mkv .mka files).
Ogg splitter (Haali Media Splitter) [version 1.8.122.18] #
For parsing the Ogg container (.ogm .ogg files).
MPEG PS/TS splitter (Gabest) [version 1.0.0.5] #
MPEG PS/TS splitter (Haali Media Splitter) [version 1.8.122.18] #
For parsing the MPEG container (.mpeg .mpg .m1v .m2v .ts .m2ts files).The Haali MPEG PS splitter also supports .evo files, but it does not always work properly for regular MPEG files.
FLV splitter (Gabest) [version 1.0.0.4] #
For parsing the FLV container (.flv files).
DirectShow subtitle filter:
DirectVobSub (a.k.a. VSFilter) [version 2.38] # #
DirectVobSub (a.k.a. VSFilter) [version 2.33] # #
DirectVobSub is a filter for displaying subtitles (ssa/ass, srt and vobsub). Your subtitle file(s) should have the same filename as your video file (for example: MovieName.avi + MovieName.idx + MovieName.sub) and should be in the same folder as your video file. Then the subtitles will automatically be displayed in most players.
Other filters:
Haali Video Renderer [version 1.8.122.18]
Excellent video renderer that can be used as an alternative for the video renderers that Windows offers.
Requires a modern graphics card with PixelShader 1.4 or higher.
Tools:
K-Lite Codec Tweak Tool [version 2.2.8]
With this multi-functional tool you can (1) detect and fix some common problems (2) generate a detailed list of all installed codecs and filters (3) reset settings (4) backup/restore settings (5) manage the installed codecs and filters.
MediaInfo Lite [version 0.7.7.3]
This tool can analyze a media file and show detailed information about it.
GSpot Codec Information Appliance [version 2.70a]
GSpot is a tool that can tell you exactly which codecs are needed to play AVI and MPEG files. It can also perform a render test (for all types video files) that shows you which filters are being used to play that file.
VobSubStrip [version 0.11]
With this tool you can strip languages from VobSub subtitle files (.idx and .sub files).
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