CODECS have long plagued those simply wanting to play video files either on their PC or home entertainment system. The term CODEC means Compressor-Decompressor', 'Coder-Decoder', or 'Compression/Decompression algorithm.
It basically applies to the ability of a program to transform a data stream or signal. CODECS encode a stream or signal for transmission, storage or encryption and decode it for viewing or editing.
The main problem obviously is having the right audio or video CODEC for encrypting or decrypting data for a particluar task or program.
To be thorough I am going to include a complete list of both, and show you how to answer the timeless CODEC quandry afterwards.
Most codecs are lossy, meaning that some quality is lost in the encryption or decryption process in order to get a reasonably small file size. There are lossless codecs as well, but for most purposes the almost imperceptible increase in quality is not worth the considerable increase in data size. The main exception is if the data will undergo more processing in thefuture, in which case the repeated lossy encoding would degrade the quality over time.
QUICK LINKS:
a) Non-compression formats
- AIFF - Audio Interchange File Format
- RIFF - Resource Interchange File Format
- WAV - Microsoft "WAVE" format (format supports compression, but it is rarely used)
- LPCM - Linear Pulse Code Modulation (generaly only described as PCM)
- General (medium to high bit rate)
- Voice (low bit rate, optimized for speech)
a) .AVI (Audio Video Interleave) is not a codec, rather it is a container format, like MKV (Matroska), that many of these codecs can use.
What's the best way to solve my CODEC issues?
The best way to solve all of your CODEC headaches is to download a CODEC package called ACE MEGA CODECS PACK 6.03. Ever since I downloaded it some years ago I'VE NEVER HAD A CODEC PROBLEM. It's regularly maintained and updated and contains every CODEC imaginable.
To note, it does contain some possibly unwanted programs which you can easily deselect and choose not to install. I'll go over which ones they are during the installation process.
Allright, after downloading ACE MEGA CODECS and opening the file, you'll bring up the language selection menu, where I presume you'll wish to select English if you're reading this :P.
Next, after selecting folder location, select the type of installation you want. I suggest the Professional Edition if you engage in video or audio editing or creation, but if you are merely encoding or decoding, converting or playing, select the Player Edition.
Okay, here's where we will deselect the unnecessary programs I mentioned early on. After selecting the desired package (I recommend the PLAYER EDITION), scroll to the bottom of the browser window and deselect the ANTIVIRUS MODULE and MEDIA PLAYER EDITION CLASSIC. You should hopefully already have an Antivirus program on your computer and who needs another media player, especially a Windows one?
After ACE is done installing all the files, it will bring up a prompt in regards to icons and registration. Deselect the ones you don't want or need. Personally, I hate desktop icons, they can quickly add to lots of excess clutter, and I also keep QuickLaunch Icons limited to only the most essential. So you make the choice.
Complete installation by selecting the "Finish Tab."
With ACE MEGA CODECS you should never have problems with those darn CODECS again. No more concerns about XVID, DIXV, OPP, THC, etc., etc..
RELATED NEWS AND "HOW TO" GUIDES:
SOULXTC: "walkin' the streets of P2P"
|
|
sincerely,
jonnybgoode007
Recently I came to know about one portal http://www.IPsupermarket.com ;where companies or Individual can sell / buy or license various software codecs or Soft IP cores.
Initially i thought its useless but when i see that it has very good reputed members like ARM, Ittiam, Spirit DSP/Technology then i thought its really good marketing channel for technology companies to promote or procure different software codecs.
The most interesting thing i like about it, individuals can also sell or license their Soft IPs/Codecs.