Hatrack River Forum: Codecs?

This is topic Codecs? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :

I'll admit it, I've never really understood codecs. I understand what the word stands for, I understand why they might be updated, and I understand the general principle of the creature -- but why do I need to hunt them down seperate from the player, and where do I get the damn things?

This is pretty infuriating. I tried to watch the The Prestige trailer, and it didn't work -- the sound did, but the screen was blank. Apple explains it as "your computer is missing the necessary video decompressor." So I go to Apple and redownload iTunes, then go to Microsoft and download what they say is the latest round of codecs. Doesn't work. I try DivX, XviD, and some questionable codec packs off CNET. Still, nothing.

Though it shames my little nerdy heart to need to ask such a question, what do I do, and where can I reliably get future codecs?

Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :

Did you restart your browser / your computer?

--j_k

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

quote:
why do I need to hunt them down seperate from the player, and where do I get the damn things?

There are some players which come with the codecs built in, meaning that the codecs don't have to be installed on the computer at all.

The one I use is VLC Media Player.

Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :

I've restarted my computer, and it still doesn't work. Also, I use VLC for most media files -- but this is coming in from Apple's website, which makes anything but Quicktime impossible.

Dammit.

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

I'm guessing that they're trying to force you to download the latest version of quicktime/itunes.

Posted by Fitz (Member # 4803) on :

With the SLD codec pack, VLC media player, and the latest version of Quicktime/iTunes, I am able to play pretty much everything. A couple weeks ago I had to download a newer version of Quicktime, as almost all trailers off the Apple website stopped working for me. That was kind of strange, as usually I get a prompt that there's a new version available for download before the shit starts to hit the fan. Anyhow, try that codec pack I linked. It's a peach.

Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :

Done and done. It's still out. Man, this must be what it feels like to be my mother.

"Which button's the on button?"

"How many buttons do you see?"

"One."

"So..."

"So which button's the on button?"

Posted by Fitz (Member # 4803) on :

Hm, that's a dilly of a pickle. When it gives you the video decompressor error, does it give said decompressor a name/number? On rare occasions I get a file that isn't handled by my software, and I have to do a google search for that one codec.

The only other codec pack I have on my computer is All in 1. Maybe that will help. [Dont Know]

Posted by HollowEarth (Member # 2586) on :

ffdshow (windows)

Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Fitz:
Hm, that's a dilly of a pickle.

Dude, you just became my favorite person for actually saying that.

Posted by Fitz (Member # 4803) on :

It's all about the Flanderisms.

Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :

Damn. I tried FFDShow, All in One, and SLD -- nothing.

I've disabled my firewall and my antivirus, shut down every other program to free memory, and sacrificed seven virgins to Xenu. What does this computer want from me?!

Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :

And no, it doesn't give an error message -- the screen just plays blank. When I try to play the trailer in non-HD mode, the Quicktime window shows the Q symbol, then overlays it with a question mark after it fails to load.

You know, I think I'm starting to regret dissing Macs...

Posted by Fitz (Member # 4803) on :

Is your version of Quicktime 7.1?

Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :

Yeah, I just re-downloaded it from the website. Huh.

Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :

I've had the same problem. Uninstalling quicktime then installing the latest version fixed it.

Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/QuickTime_Alternative.htm

Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :

Uninstalled and re-installed and still doesn't work. Trying the QT-Alt now...

Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :

YES! Thanks to PC, I downloaded the file, and was able to open it with VLC.

Big sloppy kiss coming your way, fella!

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

Yeah, VLC is possibly the best thing I ever installed on my computer. [Big Grin]

Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :

[Kiss]

I always knew my eyes were really narrowly set on my face.

Posted by Alien Touring (Member # 9568) on :

Ooh, people who use VLC. It's great, it's the MPlayer for windows AFAICT, but any luck playing DVDs? They work, but are very choppy for me (old AMD 2100+ 1.7gHz)