Best All-around Codec

[maxximilian]

I've been tinkering with video editing and can't seem to find a happy balance between quality, availability and file size. Is there one good all-around codec that will give me decent quality, reasonable size.....and most people have it on their machines already?

Thanks....

[Welshjim]

maxximillian--I do not know that there is one codec to handle everything, but an excellent codec pack is
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/...Codec_Pack.htm

[fink]

I've been using the Microsoft proprietary codec lately to create wmv files. I installed the pack that Jim suggested above and the Microsoft codec here..

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

to encode the video files. I like the fact that, as you say, anyone can play back the wmv files this creates without needing to get any extra codec packs... makes things a bit simpler. The overall quality of the final product, which is of course dependant on the quality of the initial video files and the bitrate/framesize you choose to encode the wmv files is also quite decent.

It also allows you to use Windows moviemaker if you want a free program to edit the files (although there are others around that will do a better job... www.videohelp.com )

[maxximilian]

Thanks for the replies.....I'll likely install both Codec packages and have a looksee....

I have two video editors in addition to the Windows moviemaker...Adobe Premier Elements....and Multiquence. They give a wide variety of export options and I want to export as WMV whenever possible. Just having trouble landing on the right Codec....

[maxximilian]

Welshjim.....I have a question.....

K-lite wants to uninstall (or have me do it) my DivX package before it will install. Normally I am leary of any program that wants to uninstall a competitor before installing itself....

Does this K-Lite have a good reputation? I am assuming it wants to do this to avoid a conflict....

It claims to have DivX included....so I am a bit confused.....

[Welshjim]

maxximillian--I honestly cannot respond to your question. K-Lite has a very good reputation. (You can see fink's post above.)
Whether their version of DivX is better, I cannot say. If you still have the installation file/site for your present version of DivX, then uninstall it and try K-Lite. You could then go back and install your present version of DivX if you are dissatisfied. Can you locate your existing DivX codec to see how its version compares to KLite's DivX?

[maxximilian]

I don't still have the DivX installer.....it was one of those bundle packages that came with codecs and DivX player. It could probably still be gotten, though....

However...I was doing some reading and I checked the K-lite package versus what I already have installed. Looks like I pretty much have everything it is offering anyway. There may be new versions....but I have managed to get just about everything in the past through individual downloads. I think some came aboard with my Adobe video editor as well...

Which brings us back to original question.....

If you could only use one single codec when making a video....which would it be?

Sort of like that question if you were on a deserted island....which one book would you want with you....

PS.....Turns out I already had the Media 9 codec as well.....

[Ridgerunr]

I use the WM9 pack and the K-lite Standard pack. Do a lot of video work using Nero video express and my ATI capture programs' software. Haven't found a problem as yet. If you 'really' want to dig into this Max, have a look at this huge assortment ...

[fink]

One thing to consider Maxx is whether you have the wmp9 encoding codec and/or the decoder. You'd need the former to create wmv files and the latter to play them back hence the link I gave above to the encoder (if you don't have it installed)

I always let the K-lite pack uninstall everything it wants to because it will reinstall the latest version of that program (and they strongly recommend it as well)

[maxximilian]

When I went in and looked again....Media 9 showed on my list of codecs, but I couldn't tell if it included the encoder or just the decoder. Rather than guess...I just installed the package you linked. Whther I had it already or not....I have it now.