Recommended HTPC Codecs

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Cadriel

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#25969 8-Sep-2008 10:38

Hi All,

In the past, I've always used FFDShow along with the "CCP" (Community Codec Pack) - as they cover off all of my playing requirements froma codec point of view. However, I understand this may not be the optimal setup for an HTPC.

Is there a guide, or does someone have any recommendations as far as codec installations go? I understand the requirements for the freeview broadcast - but am a little confused as to how this all works together. For example, If i install the cyberlink H264 decoder for freeview - and have FFDShow installed at the same time, will FFDShow take precedence when it shouldn't?

--
Craig.

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davidcole

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#163047 8-Sep-2008 12:25

I used to use ffdshow, but since a rebuild I didn't put it back down, in favour of the proper codecs, xvid for xvid and cyberlink power dvd for mpeg2/h.264...

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kiwijunglist

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#163240 9-Sep-2008 09:42

PDVD8 Codec - For hardware acceleration

CoreAVC Codec - For software acceleration

Real player alternative Codec - For quicktime

FFDShow Codec - For standard DVDs, There are guides for upscaling, noise reduction etc to make DVDs look better

Media Player Classic Home Cinema - For playing mkv movie files with hardware acceleration, uses internal codecs

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sbiddle

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#163244 9-Sep-2008 10:13

On my PVR I have the Monogram AAC decoder for Freeview|HD, AC3filter for all AC3 content and ArcSoft TotalMedia Theatre. The Arcsoft software handles H.264, MPEG2, xvid/divx, Real and Quicktime content so I've found no need to have anything else installed.

As for what codec will be used this can sometimes be a program. DirectShow filters have a priority but many programs can ignore this. Most good software will have an option to let you manually select the codec you want to use which solves a lot of issues, particularly if you install some of these big multi codec packs.

geekiegeek

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#163262 9-Sep-2008 11:35

sbiddle:
On my PVR I have the Monogram AAC decoder for Freeview|HD, AC3filter for all AC3 content and ArcSoft TotalMedia Theatre. The Arcsoft software handles H.264, MPEG2, xvid/divx, Real and Quicktime content so I've found no need to have anything else installed.

As for what codec will be used this can sometimes be a program. DirectShow filters have a priority but many programs can ignore this. Most good software will have an option to let you manually select the codec you want to use which solves a lot of issues, particularly if you install some of these big multi codec packs.

Thats pretty cool, I have the same setup but didnt realize that arcsoft could do xvid etc so I have FFDSHOW installed. Guess I can remove it now. I like to have as few codecs installed as possible.

Cadriel

134 posts

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#163279 9-Sep-2008 12:43

Re: the ArcSoft codec - I'm noticing at the moment that I get some stutter's when channel changing, and am using the cyberlink codec at the moment for my H264.

Does the arcsoft codec 1) support hardware decoding and 2) handle the Freeview|HD broadcast better than the cyberlink one?

--
Craig.