Best free codec pack

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[+27] [10] FerranB

[2009-07-16 09:59:22]

[ windows linux codec ]

[ http://superuser.com/questions/5184] [DELETED]

When trying to see movies on computer one of the most tried things is about codecs. Which are the best free codec packs available?

I'm looking for codecs for both Linux and Windows.

[+24] [2009-07-16 10:00:16] fretje

That would be CCCP ^[1].

This is only windows though...

On the other hand, when using VLC ^[2] to watch your movies, you don't need any codecs at all... they're built-in...

[1] http://cccp-project.net/
[2] http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

(1) Would give a +1 twice if I could. Once for CCCP and once for VLC player. - T Pops

On Windows, Linux, or OS X VLC just works. - John Meagher

(except when you start typing into the wrong window. Single key shortcuts are great if it's the only app running, but they are costly in this case :-)) - Joey

[+8] [2009-07-29 18:43:06] Manu

Codec packs ? That's so 20th century.

I use VLC and/or mplayer, so I don't need to install anything else.

Well except if I need to encode something in xvid for example, then I'll need the codec. - Manu

Oh wait, nevermind. Mplayer comes with mencoder, which can transcode pretty much anything into anything (with a gazillon options). - Manu

[+7] [2009-07-16 10:25:54] Stefan Thyberg

If you use Media Player Classic Home Cinema ^[1] you don't need any codecs installed, they're built-in and it's perfect if you need a lightweight player that uses as little CPU as possible as shown in this blog post by Jeff Atwood ^[2].

[1] http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/
[2] http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/001197.html

[+7] [2009-07-16 10:17:35] Ivo Flipse

K-lite Codec Pack ^[1]

It should work on Linux as well, but I'm not sure if the versions are updated together.

Note: couldn't find the website of the guys who made it and I only quickly googled the Linux support, so if anyone knows it for sure: please add it in the comments

[1] http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K%5Flite%5Fcodec%5Fpack.htm

codecguide.com - Jonathan Prior

Flipped my videos upside-down when I installed it back in '02... I'm sure it's gotten better since then, but I'm still bitter. - Robert Fraser

[+5] [2009-07-16 10:42:19] Legooolas

Linux codecs:

Mplayer has about the most comprehensive range of codecs, which can be downloaded from their site at http://www.mplayerhq.hu/design7/dload.html#binary_codecs. These will not work on Windows players and I'm not sure about whether they're useful for other Linux media players.

The windows equivalent is MuldeR's MPlayer for Windows: mulder.dummwiedeutsch.de/home/?page=projects#mplayer - ohadsc

[+2] [2009-07-16 10:02:14] Bruce McLeod

I don't use linux so I can't comment but on windows you should use either shark007's codecs ^[1] or The Combined Community Codec Pack ^[2]

[1] http://shark007.net/
[2] http://cccp-project.net/

[+1] [2009-07-16 10:19:42] Bastien Léonard

On Windows I use TLCP ^[1]. On Unix I just install MPlayer.

[1] http://tlcp.tzim.net/?tlcp%5Fintro%5Fen

[+1] [2009-07-29 20:25:47] EvilChookie

On Windows, if you're using Windows Media Player, then you should install FFDShow ^[1]. A single filter that handles just about any form of AVI, MPG, WMV you can throw at it.

Oh and there's zero bloat. Take that you evil codec packs! Did I mention zero bloat?

That said, I'd rather just install VLC. For watching things you can't go wrong.

[1] http://sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow/

ffdshow has problems with certain games. - Jonathan Prior

[+1] [2009-08-10 09:12:27] Rob Kam

On Windows use K-Lite Mega Codec Pack from the Final Builds Site ^[1], it doesn't include QuickTime Alternative so you'll have to download (from the same site) and install this as well.

[1] http://home.hccnet.nl/h.edskes/finalbuilds.htm

[0] [2009-07-29 18:50:51] Diago

I use the Vista Codec Pack ^[1] on Windows with great success.

[1] http://shark007.net/