10/12/2021 Video Decoder App
When you download video files from the Internet, there is always a chance they won’t play properly or won’t play at all. It may happen because the file wasn’t uploaded correctly by its owner or your Internet connection is not good enough and the file was downloaded with the gaps. One more reason might be the lack of necessary codecs to play this particular file on your PC.
What is a Video Codec?
Video decoder for Windows Media Player in Windows 10 I am looking for a video decoder that will work with Windows Media Player in Windows 10. I have Power DVD 10 and VLC installed on my computer, but they both do not seem to be compatible with the Windows 10 version of WMP. Apps filed under: Video Decoder. RSS Feed for this tag 10 applications total. Faster than real-time high-quality MPEG-2 HD video decoder for DirectShow. Jun 17th 2009, 01:44 GMT.
A video codec is a software or sometimes a piece of hardware that compresses and decompresses digital video. In other words, a codec processes raw digital video and stores it in a stream of bytes. It converts uncompressed video to a compressed format to take up less space on your computer and vice versa. A video codec is usually identified by ‘fourcc’, a four character code. For example, MPEG, DivX, HEVC, etc.
In fact, there is a huge list of codecs that you can find online. Of course, a majority of videos are encoded with the help of most popular codecs mentioned above and can be played with almost any multimedia player. However, there are rare codecs from special video cameras that can be viewed with VLC or a similar player with a proper codec library.
A video codec isn’t the same as a video format or container. A container is a bundle of files. Inside it, you can find data that has been compressed by using a particular codec. For example, an AVI file can contain video compressed by XviD, or DivX, or MPEG-2 codecs. Usually, a container comprises a video and audio codecs, plus it can also contain other files like subtitles and chapters. Popular video formats or containers are AVI, MP4, WMV, MKV, MOV, FLV, etc.
SEE ALSO: How to Reduce Video File Size
SEE ALSO: 5 Easiest Ways to Add Captions to Video Free and Fast Types of Video Codecs
All the codecs may be divided into the following types:
Now let’s examine the most popular video codecs.
MPEG codecsVideo Decoder App Software
Among the most recognized codecs, there are those based on MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) standards. MPEG-1 codec provides high-quality video and MP3 sound that can be played on all modern music devices.MPEG-2 is the only video compression standard for DVD and some Blu-ray discs. While the MPEG-1 codec allows for only progressive scanning, MPEG-2 also supports interlacing. MPEG-4 handles both progressive and interlaced video, and it provides better compression techniques and smaller output video size than MPEG-2.
SEE ALSO:Free DVD Burnerby Freemake: Best Software for Home Users
H.264
One more well-known codec worth mentioning is H.264. It’s the most popular choice for HD video. It can use both lossy and lossless compression depending on the settings that you choose (frame rate, frame size, and file size). H.264 is up to 2 times more efficient as basic MPEG-4 compression, which leads to smaller file sizes and seamless playback on more devices. It’s clear wht H.264 is so widely used: from web videos to Blu-ray movies.
SEE ALSO: How to Convert MTS Videos from Blu-ray to MP4
XviD/DivX
DivX is a commercial codec, while XviD is its open source alternative. The DivX codec can compress lengthy video segments into small sizes while maintaining relatively high visual quality. Most of the DivX videos use AVI file extension and DivX or Div extensions.
HEVC
High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), also known as H.265, is a new video compression standard, which was developed with the goal of providing twice the compression efficiency of the previous standard, H.264. It’s particularly useful for streaming 4K video and Blu-ray. However, this video codec has been only gaining popularity and is not yet supported by all the media software.
How to identify a video codec?
Let’s learn how you can identify what codec is used in your video and choose a right codec finder. The best option to determine a codec in your video is install free software that will do the job for you. Here are what you should do to identify a codec:
Here is the list of useful codec identifying tools:
MediaInfo
MediaInfo is one of the most popular tools to show you complete information about your multimedia file. The software will guide you to a site where you can download the necessary codecs. Sometimes it even shows what media player can reproduce video files of a kind. For example, the software suggests using QuickTime to play MP4 files. Of course, it’s not the only option available. But if you don’t have time to search for a better tool, this quick solution is right what you need.
GSpot
GSpot is a choice of advanced users. It provides a huge amount of information about a file. As soon as you analyze the file with GSpot, it will show you what codecs you need and whether you’ve already had them on your PC. If not, you’ll have to copy the codec name and google for it manually.
Unfortunately, the software looks abandoned and doesn’t give you the info about the latest codecs. However, in case you have a large collection of old video files, you might find it helpful. SuperEasy Codec Checker
SuperEasy Codec Check can be used both by beginners and professional users. It supports over 67 media files formats. The software analyzes files really fast and gives only the main details without making you go deep into tech information. After adding your file, you just get the recommendations for missing codecs.
VideoInspector
VideoInspector, as it’s clear from its name, inspects the media data of your video file. It can help you find the required codecs for MKV, AVI, MPEG, and QuickTime files. Please note that it doesn’t support a popular MP4 format, WMV, and FLV. The great thing is that VideoInspector not only shows you the information about your media file, but also tells you if the file is corrupted or not. In case the necessary codec is missing on your PC, the software will show you a red cross and provide a link to a website where you can get it for free.
SEE ALSO: How to Convert MKV to MP4 in 3 Clicks Only
Ready Video Codec Packs
Nowadays there is a good number of media players like VLC that can handle an astonishing number of video and audio file with various codecs. However, some codecs might need additional software for their playback. In case you don’t want to overload your operating system with dozens of media players, you can also install a special codec pack that usually contain all the main audio and video codecs and help your default player reproduce films and music.
K-Lite Codec Pack
K-Lite Codec Pack is a well-known free codec compilation software. It’s easy to install and use. The tool contains an impressive codec library which gets regular updates. You can choose among four versions of this product.
Recently K-Lite Codec Pack has added full decoding support for the new HEVC (H.265) video codec.
X Codec Pack
X Codec Pack (formerly XP Codec Pack) is a great alternative to K-Lite in case you don’t want to use it for any reason. Like the previous software, X Codec Pack contains all codecs that you might need to play popular and rare videos files. There are two drawbacks here. First of all, the tool is that it doesn’t get regular updates. Thus, you might need to wait for some time for new codecs to be added. The 2nd issue is that a full codec pack may interfere with your media player and cause problems in its performance.
How to Change a Video Codec?
If you downloaded a video with a codec that can’t be played on your TV, you can easily convert it to a more popular one with Freemake.
Follow a simple guide below:
When the video is converted, try to play it on your TV or any other device. If everything is OK, convert more videos in the same way.
Now you know how to distinguish, install and work with videos codecs. If this post was helpful, please share it with your mates to let them enjoy any type of video on their PCs for free.
Comments
comments
RSS Feed for this tag 11 applications totalLast updated: Nov 18th 2020, 16:25 GMT
MagicYUV 2.3.1 / 1.2 Rev 3 Free
A top-class lossless video codec designed to support high resolutions, allowing high-quality uncom...
Windows 10 64 bit / Windows 10
DYY Video Converter 1.0.0.0
A simple to use application that is capable of decoding video files and batch converting them into...
Windows Server 2012 / Windows 2008 64 bit / Windows 2008 / Windows 8 64 bit / Windows 8 / Windows 7 64 bit / Windows 7 / Windows Vista 64 bit / Windows Vista / Windows XP 64 bit / Windows XP
NVIDIA PureVideo Decoder (NVIDIA DVD Decoder) 1.02-223
An NVIDIA plugin that features PureVideo technology and Dolby Digital surround sound to deliver an...
QSTranscode 1.0.4.0
An easy-to-use video transcoder
Windows 8 64 bit / Windows 8 / Windows 7 / Windows Vista / Windows XP
GoPro-CineForm Decoder 1.2.0.127Video Decoder App
A powerful codec that allows its users to playback the high quality video clips recorded with GoPr...
Windows 10 64 bit / Windows 10 / Windows 8 64 bit / Windows 8 / Windows 7 64 bit / Windows 7 / Windows Vista 64 bit / Windows Vista / Windows XP 64 bit / Windows XP
Kirara Encoder Portable 9.6
An advanced media encoder that helps you convert multimedia files to various formats, configure th...
Decoder App Game
Windows Server 2012 / Windows 2008 64 bit / Windows 2008 / Windows 2003 / Windows 8 64 bit / Windows 8 / Windows 7 64 bit / Windows 7 / Windows Vista 64 bit / Windows Vista / Windows XP
JPEG2000 Video Decoder 1.0.1
A professional DirectShow filter
Windows All
Etymonix SoftReel 2.20
Faster than real-time high-quality MPEG-2 HD video decoder for DirectShow
DGAVCDec 1.0.9
AVC/H.264 Decoder and Frame Server
MPEG2Dec3 1.10
MPEG-2 Decoder for Avisynth 2.5+
Video Encoder AppVP6 6.4.2.0
A high-quality video codec that supports low bitrates and works smoothly even on inexpensive proce...
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |