I'm wondering what people have found to be the best quality MPEG-2 codec? My main concern is DVD playback. I'm currently using Windows Vista and MPC HC for DVD playback. So far I've tested the Cyberlink Video/SP Decoder (PDVD7), Microsoft MPEG-2 Video Decoder, FFDShow Video Decoder and MPC HC's internal MPEG-2 Decoder. MPEG-2 Decoder I have Windows Vista Home Premium edition. When I removed some applications that I no longer am using, I must have deleted some shared files because I can no longer view MPEG (DVD) files using Windows Media Player 11 or Roxio Creator 10. Files encoded using the MPEG-2 standard can be opened and edited by the computer, DVD player or cable TV receiver, using a related codec. Such a decoding tool is Stinky's MPEG-2 Codec that enables. The MPEG-2 format is usually found in DVDs, and you will be able to play such media contents in Windows Media Player and in any other video player by deploying Stinky's MPEG-2 Codec to your computer. Stinky's MPEG-2 Codec will go unnoticed on your computer, as its size is very small (only 100KB), and it uses a very small amount of resources. DVD / MPEG-2 decoder for Vista? General Discussion. I do have ultimate (i uninstalled it last week after i found out Vista doesn't support digital sub channels) and there is a built in decoder, i tried both Microsofts decoder and Purevideo (purevideo does work under vista, although in software mode).
Media Player Codec Pack was created to make installing major multimedia codec's, filters, plug-ins and splitters for players easy | Versions: Standard | Plus | Lite |
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For Windows 10/8/7/Vista/2008:
For Windows XP/2003/2000:
Latest version: 4.5.6
File Size: 44.1mb
Price: $0 (Free)
Compatible with:
Microsoft Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, 2008, & 2003
Microsoft Windows Media Player 12, 11 & 10
Any player compatible with DirectShow
Installer Screenshots:
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Package Overview:
The Media Player Codec Pack supports almost every compression and file type used by modern video and audio files.
The package is simple to install, while also offering advanced settings to the high end user:
For simple installation select 'Easy Installation'.
For advanced installation options select 'Expert Installation'.
Codec's Explained:
A codec is a piece of software on either a device or computer capable of encoding and/or decoding video and/or audio data from files, streams and broadcasts. The word Codec is a portmanteau of 'compressor-decompressor'
Compression types that you will be able to play include:
x264 | x265 | h.265 | HEVC | 10bit x265 | 10bit x264 | AVCHD | AVC
DivX | XviD | MP4 | MPEG4 | MPEG2 and many more.
File types you will be able to play include:
.bdmv | .evo | .hevc | .mkv | .avi | .flv | .webm | .mp4 | .m4v | .m4a | .ts | .ogm
.ac3 | .dts | .alac | .flac | .ape | .aac | .ogg | .ofr | .mpc | .3gp and many more.
Resolutions supported include:
All resolutions upto, and including SD (Standard Definition) 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, + HD (High Definition) 720i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 4k (Ultra HD) and beyond.
By using DVDFab Passkey for BluRay & DVD with this Codec Pack, Windows 7, 8 , 8.1 and 10 users can play:
Protected Bluray, AVCHD, DVD.
Package Codec Components:
* LAV Video decoder 0.74.1 Build 60 x86 & x64 (XP/2000 version is 0.69).
* ffdshow DirectShow Video Codec 1.3.4533 x86 & x64.
* XviD Video (Encoder) Codec v1.3.7.
* x264 Video (Encoder) Codec v44.2851.
* Lagarith Lossless Video (Encoder) Codec v1.3.27 x86 & x64.
* LAV Audio Decoder 0.74.1 Build 60 x86 & x64 (Legacy version is 0.69).
* Sony DSD Decoder 1.0 x86.
* DivX Audio Decoder 4.1 x86.
* DSP-worx Bass Source Filter/Decoder v1.5.2.0 x86.
* Haali Media Splitter/Decoder 1.13.138.44 x86 & x64 - For MP4, MKV, OGM and AVI files.
* LAV Splitter 0.74.1 Build 60 x86 & x64 (Legacy version is 0.69).
* ReClock Video renderer v1.9.0.0 x86.
* xy-VSFilter v3.0.0.211 x86 & x64 - Subtitle Readers.
* CDXA Reader v1.7.13 x86 & x64 (XP/2000 version is 1.6.8) - Also known as Form 2 Mode 2 CD or XCD x86 & x64 (Legacy version is 0.69).
* Icaros 3.1.0 x86 & x64.
* Application Tuning - Changes the default settings for Media Player Classic, NVIDIA 3D Vision Player, and Stereoscopic Player.
Package Utilities:
* Media Player Classic Home Cinema 1.9.6 x86 (XP/2000 version is 1.6.8) - Selectable by right clicking on any file.
* Disc Handler - For double click playback on BluRay disc icons in Windows Explorer.
* Codec Settings GUI - Allows the user to modify codec, graphics and sound settings.
* Codec Settings UAC (User Account Control) Manager - Copies settings between users.
* Update Checker - Checks for updates once every 7 days (Administrator only).
* Tray Menu - Gives easy access to codec utilities and allows fast audio profile switching.
Guide - How to set file associations in Windows 8 & 8.1
Guide - How to set file associations in Windows 10
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For those of you that use Media Center, you may or may not know about the need to supply your own MPEG2 video decoder. An MPEG2 decoder is software that allows you to play DVDs and files that contain video content that was encoded in the MPEG2 format (such as DVR-MS files, MPG files, etc). This includes Live TV, Recorded TV, DVD Playback and My Videos.
Microsoft does not include a MPEG2 video decoder with any of the Windows XP editions, including Media Center, so with Media Center being an OEM-only product, the onus was placed on the OEM to include whatever MPEG2 video decoder that they wanted. However, with the large number of people interested in the Media Center platform, many have chosen to build their own systems. As such, they are not aware of this MPEG2 video decoder issue.
The easiest way to get a MPEG2 video decoder that will work for Media Center is to get the latest version one of the common DVD playback programs. The top three DVD playback software include:
Unfortunately, none of these programs are free due to MPEG2 licensing issues; however, each offer a 30 day trial. In general, it is best to get the latest version of the DVD software, as many bugs are often fixed. Often times, the software is updated silently (i.e. WinDVD 7 has been updated 8 times since it was first released in September 2005).
Windows 8 Mpeg 2 Codec
If you are not sure what MPEG2 video decoder you have installed, Microsoft has created the Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility. This utility helps you determine if an MPEG2 video decoder (also called a DVD decoder) is installed on your Windows XP computer and whether or not the decoder is compatible with Windows Media Player 10 and Windows XP Media Center Edition.
Mpeg 2 Decoder Vista Sp1
I personally use the NVidia Purevideo Decoder on my Media Center PCs; however, all three of the above software are known to work with Media Center. Many OEMs tend to include older versions of the above software. Whether you want to stick with the older version, or upgrade to a newer version, that is up to you. However, if you do run into trouble, it often helps to upgrade to a known good working version (i.e. the latest revisions) to rule out any potential issues that may have already been addressed. The latest DVD playback software also tend to take advantage of features found in more advanced video cards. For example, the Purevideo decoder takes advantage of the Purevideo technology features found in the latest NVidia video cards.
Mpeg-2 Decoder
Because of the growth of home-built Media Center PCs, Microsoft recognizes that the need to purchase a separate MPEG2 video decoder is a major pain point for those that are enthusiastic about setting up their own systems. As a result, the versions of Vista that will have Media Center functionality included (as mentioned in a previous blog entry), Home Premium and Ultimate, will have an MPEG2 video decoder included. This decoder will be sufficient for Media Center needs, and if the user requires something better, they are free to obtain and install another MPEG2 video decoder.