This is a very insightful couple of posts from two discussions about codecs. My own experience has been that codec packs can, and often do, lead to trouble. If you need a codec, you’ll find out when you need it. This may be inconvenient the first time it happens, but not as inconvenient as losing major codecs because the scrappy mega pack wiped it out with a free alternative. The worst thing to do is to install 62 codecs, most of which you’ll never use, and many of which contain malware. I like the advice of both of these posters. Well, except for the idea of using WinAmp - you can effectively ignore that part. Also, note that these codecs are for Windows. If you have a Mac or Linux, you’ll likely need to look up equivalent but separate siolutions. Good luck on getting the latest WMV codec to play on Ubuntu, for example, at least legally.
WINAMP.COM | Forums - No pictures when playing Videos / Internet TV
I’m using WinXP, and I’m still yet to find a video which won’t play perfectly in Winamp.
Tested with MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AVI, DivX, XviD, OGM, WMV, ASF.
Athlon XP 2400 , Radeon X700, M-Audio Revo, DX9.0c.
Basically, I think it’s all down to codecs & DirectShow filters.
It’s especially those dodgy codec packs which cause most of the problems.
All you need are:
ffdshow
DivX and Xvid (though ffdshow can handle these, so no need to install them)*
OggDS Filter for .OGM
An MPEG-2 DVD Decoder, eg. Cyberlink PowerDVD / Intervideo WinDVD / Gabest (though ffdshow can also be configured to decode mpeg-2)*
Haali Splitter for demuxing MP4, MKV, OGM containers (add ;MP4;MKV;OGM to in_dshow extension list)
AC3Filter for AC3 audio layer (ie. if video uses ac3 audio)
CoreAAC (if video uses AAC audio)
Windows Media 8/9 codecs for ASF/WMV/MPEG-1
QT Alternative, for MOV
Then if the relevant file extension isn’t currently listed, add it to the Extension List in the DirectShow Decoder config (Winamp > Prefs > Plugins > Input > in_dshow > config). Though note that Nullsoft in_qt.dll plugin is recommended for QuickTime MOV, instead of adding ;MOV to in_dshow config.
Note that ffdshow can be configured to handle most video and audio decoding, including divx, xvid, mpeg2, and many more, so there’s a high possibility that ffdshow is the only thing you’ll need to install (but you might still need to configure it to make it the default handler for some formats).
* re: ffdshow
Once installed, go to: Start > Programs > ffdshow > video decoder configuration
Under “Codecs”, make sure DivX 3/4/5 and XviD are both set to enabled.
If disabled, click where it says “disabled” and change the drop-down menu to “libavcodec”,
or for mpeg2 change it to “libmpeg2″
etc.
You might also need to enable some formats in the ffdshow Audio Decoder config.
If the video still won’t play, then use MediaInfo to determine the required audio & video filters.
eg. other video formats might include:
Matroska (mkv, mka)
Real Media RM (do NOT install the evil RealPlayer!)
etc etc.
And all codecs/filters should be installed individually, not all at the same time.
If your system / graphics card is old, then yes, you should also uncheck “allow overlay” in Winamp Prefs.
And Chris Woods’ expert advice in the post above is certainly top notch.
Though I have no sympathy for people who install WinXP on old OEM systems with hardware not designed for it.
Here’s another poster with similar feelings on the subject. This was a direct response to the question “What’s the best Codec Pack?”:
Forum Archive Home -> Software Playing -> What is the best Codec Pack?
Gazorgan posted 2003 Dec 04 14:13
There isn’t one. Period. Most codec packs break more than they help.
You basically need the following:
1) MP3 Codec (Radium)
2) AC3 Filter
3) MPEG2 Codec
4) FFDShow
5) OGG-Vorbis package (lots of good things with ogg, for sound).
That’s it. If you are going to encode DivX or XviD then install those codecs individually. MPEG1/2 Encoding comes with whatever encoder you use.
All of the above are available for free over in the tools section. Get the fourcc changer also, it will help with XviD/DivX playback issues sometimes (it’s an app, you don’t install it, you modify an AVI with it).
EDIT: Forgot the WMV9 codec pack if and only if you really need it, it fubars certan DivX3 files, but FFDShow will deal with it. MOV usually requires quicktime, but it’s such a spyware biatch to deal with. RM is even worse for spyware.
So, there you have it - I couldn’t have said it better, so as usual, I won’t try. 
John.
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