Codec help

Originally posted by Bowmann
It's only a matter of time before you do, and depends also on how much media you handle.

Please refrain from recommending this course of action. Mr Bosse is going to have to trust me if he wants the better solution. But it's up to him.

True, I don't handle much video, but for what I do, ACE has never given any problems.

EDIT: Don't get me wrong, I'm by no means pushing this 'product'. It's just always worked for me...

Originally posted by Crowley
Or not. I've never had any problems.

Me neither - but I'm careful. 🙂


VLC is OK if you don't mind the stoopid traffic cone icons that come with it. 😕

Originally posted by Crowley
True, I don't handle much video, but for what I do, ACE has never given any problems.

EDIT: Don't get me wrong, I'm by no means pushing this 'product'. It's just always worked for me...

The general advise is never to install packs, but rather one CODEC at a time as needed. Too many CODECs (and there are a growing number) can make a system unstable, and getting rid of them later often proves impossible.

CODECs are built in to VLC Player. They are not installed system wide.

Originally posted by Dr Strangelove
Me neither - but I'm careful. 🙂


VLC is OK if you don't mind the stoopid traffic cone icons that come with it. 😕

I see you have your priorities right. A player doesn't have to play a media file, so long as it looks cool.

Originally posted by Bowmann
I see you have your priorities right. A player doesn't have to play a media file, so long as it looks cool.

I used VLC for a good while but the traffic cones irritated me so much, I changed to an Alternative.

Originally posted by Dr Strangelove
I used VLC for a good while but the traffic cones irritated me so much, I changed to an Alternative.

If you think it's really so important, just change the icon itself.

Originally posted by Bowmann
If you think it's really so important, just change the icon itself.

Thanks for the advice, but I think I'll stick with what I have now......if it ain't broke etc etc.

Originally posted by Dr Strangelove
Thanks for the advice, but I think I'll stick with what I have now......if it ain't broke etc etc.

Mr Bosse will be pleased.

Originally posted by Bowmann
There could be much harm.

Download and install VLC. It has all CODECs built in and WILL play your file.

I've never had problems with divx.
I have Norton internet security & have used spybot & there are absolutely no problems. Plays any .avi

Originally posted by Squelchbelch
I've never had problems with divx.
I have Norton internet security & have used spybot & there are absolutely no problems. Plays any .avi

It seems most people don't bother with just the official DivX and XviD CODECs, and would rather install mutli-packs and risk screwing up their systems.

NIS et al. have nothing to do with this.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
I'm trying to watch an avi. film (here: http://www.ubu.com/film/borges.html) but the codec is unrecognised by Media Player, Quick Time...Any advice on how to track it down?

OK, well I've downloaded this and played it in VLC. No problem at all.

Originally posted by Bowmann
OK, well I've downloaded this and played it in VLC. No problem at all.

No problem in Windows Media Player either.

Originally posted by Nordlys
No problem in Windows Media Player either.

Ditto.

But the point is that media files will and do come along which WMP fails to handle. This will happen to everyone who relies on it, sooner or later. Not everyone has the same CODECs installed. That's why VLC is the solution.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Nope...Media Player tries to connect with something and then says "error" (nothing more specific). QuickTime helpfully says "unknown".

It says the codec is this one ;
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/FFDShow.htm

And it also plays ok on WMPlayer here.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Nope...Media Player tries to connect with something and then says "error" (nothing more specific).

WMP is crap. It promises to get the CODEC for you and more often than not fails.

Get a better media player. Though not as good as VLC, even Media Player Classic would be an improvement.