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    Best Codec Pack

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by nu_D, Oct 4, 2010.

  1. nu_D

    nu_D Notebook Deity

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    What's the best codec pack out there...performance wise?

    I've been using Shark's as it supposedly doesn't interfere with the built-in codecs, which i really like, but I'm having a few problems here and there with some types. i used to always used k-lite...but there's also windows essential which sounds interesting...I like to play FLV files in wmp and have thumbnails and such...so what's the best codec pack out there?
     
    nu_D, Oct 4, 2010
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  2. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    For free, you can install the DivX H.264 Decoder. I think you should be able to get thumbnails working, but if you already have those then don't touch that.

    What kind of problems, exactly, are you experiencing?
     
    namaiki, Oct 4, 2010
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  3. H.A.L. 9000

    H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw

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    I'd say K-Lite or for an all inclusive codec/Player... VLC.
     
    H.A.L. 9000, Oct 4, 2010
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  4. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    VLC certainly doesn't have an edge with performance, and as far as I know, it doesn't do thumbnails either.
     
    namaiki, Oct 4, 2010
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  5. H.A.L. 9000

    H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw

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    It plays M2TS files like nothing I've installed yet. I can play back 1080p M2TS flawlessly on a GMA950 with VLC. MPC-HC with K-Lite chokes on the same thing.
     
    H.A.L. 9000, Oct 4, 2010
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  6. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    Video is generally decoded using the CPU. Also, I can't speak for K-Lite, nor for your video as I don't have a sample and I don't know what filters K-lite uses to decode.
     
    namaiki, Oct 4, 2010
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  7. H.A.L. 9000

    H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw

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    Since VLC 1.1, GPU acceleration has been an option, but the GMA950 has MPEG2 acceleration. That's the ONLY codec it accelerates though. Also, the GPU acceleration doesn't yet work on GMA500 embedded solutions that accelerate almost every codec, including HD formats.

    Probably the most seamless one I've found so far is the Cyberlink Codec, but it's generally not any good unless you use the $$ Cyberlink player along with it.
     
    H.A.L. 9000, Oct 4, 2010
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  8. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    Perhaps you should try the latest standalone MPC-HC.

    I have tried the latest VLC Player, but I'm not very happy about it's random pausing and it not quite seeking where I want it to.
     
    namaiki, Oct 4, 2010
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  9. Selenium

    Selenium Notebook Evangelist

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    I personally like klite+MPC. Has never done me wrong, and anytime you run into something that has playback issues you can often solve them simply by changing your output settings.
     
    Selenium, Oct 4, 2010
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  10. scythie

    scythie I died for your sins.

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    CCCP [Combined Community Codec Pack], which already has MPC.

    I've been using it for years, have had no problems.
     
    scythie, Oct 4, 2010
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  11. bharatbharija

    bharatbharija Notebook Geek

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    I liked VLC a lot but of late it keeps on showing black windows with 3D as their name so switched to MPC..... Its kinda same as VLC only diff.. now i can run all the vidoes in windows media player also..
     
    bharatbharija, Oct 4, 2010
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  12. mochaultimate

    mochaultimate Notebook Consultant

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    Another vote for CCCP - absolutely problem-free in the years I've used it.
     
    mochaultimate, Oct 4, 2010
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  13. nu_D

    nu_D Notebook Deity

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    CCCP seems to be getting a lot of votes. Do I have to use WMP classic with it? I'd prefer to use WMP 11/12, or whatever version it is. I also would rather not see the Soviet flag or whatever it is when I play movies. That's what turned me off it about 5 years ago..lol.

    Do any of these codec packs...cccp/k-lite/windows essential....not mess with the built-in codecs like shark's? Also..if I were to install one of the codec packs and then uninstall it..would it mess things up? I'm afraid to try one of them out, not like it, uninstall it..and then have everything be a mess codec wise.
     
    nu_D, Oct 4, 2010
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  14. Selenium

    Selenium Notebook Evangelist

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    I've used both klite and CCCP and neither one interfered with system codecs as far as I could tell.
     
    Selenium, Oct 4, 2010
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  15. Bullit

    Bullit Notebook Deity

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    I use FFDshow 32bits and 64bits. Until now i don't need anthing more. My players are KMP and VLC.
     
    Bullit, Oct 4, 2010
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  16. nemt

    nemt Notebook Deity

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    CCCP if you just want playback (no need to encode video)

    this really isn't even debatable anymore, people using K-Lite instead are objectively wrong
     
    nemt, Oct 4, 2010
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  17. nemt

    nemt Notebook Deity

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    and no, you don't need to use WMP with CCCP, you can use any media player you want

    it comes with MPC Home Cinema
     
    nemt, Oct 4, 2010
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  18. Andromeda

    Andromeda Notebook Consultant

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    +1. :cool:
    FFDShow Tryouts, WMP and VLC are what I use, between them they handle everything I need to watch.
     
    Andromeda, Oct 5, 2010
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  19. Kocane

    Kocane Notebook Deity

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    Been using K-Lite full with MPC for ages.
     
    Kocane, Oct 5, 2010
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  20. nu_D

    nu_D Notebook Deity

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    Finally got around to it...
    Tried windows essential...crap.
    Tried CCCP. Seems to be working with none of this issues exhibited by Shark's.
    Thanks fellas.
     
    nu_D, Oct 5, 2010
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  21. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    I use CCCP have been for years.

    I have used K-Lite before also but in general prefer CCCP.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Oct 5, 2010
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  22. nu_D

    nu_D Notebook Deity

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    Only thing about CCCP isn't it doesn't show all thumbnails for all the flv files and stuff like shark's. Is there anyway to enable that?
     
    nu_D, Oct 5, 2010
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  23. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    ViciousXUSMC, Oct 5, 2010
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  24. nu_D

    nu_D Notebook Deity

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    A lot of streaming videos are in flv....
     
    nu_D, Oct 5, 2010
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  25. 1ceBlu3

    1ceBlu3 Notebook Deity

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    i use klite codec pack with wmc/winamp most often
     
    1ceBlu3, Oct 5, 2010
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  26. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    Yeah and you stream those :D
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Oct 5, 2010
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  27. nu_D

    nu_D Notebook Deity

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    I'm on a limited 3G connection...hopefully be getting DSL next week or two.
    So things a little different for me... :)
     
    nu_D, Oct 6, 2010
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  28. nemt

    nemt Notebook Deity

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    I've never once seen a reputable site offer video downloads in flash video format.
     
    nemt, Oct 7, 2010
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  29. nu_D

    nu_D Notebook Deity

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    And that's why there's a ton of video download extensions for FF. ;)
     
    nu_D, Oct 7, 2010
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