VIDEO CODECS & DECOMPRESSORS

What is a Codec?

A codec is a method of "Compression/Decompression" and is used to make large video files much smaller making them suitable for distribution on the net, either on the web or a LAN or any other method of file transfer like wireless devices etc.

Some times when you are trying to play an .avi file the "Unexpected File Format" or a similar error message displays.This happen if you are attempting to play a file for which the proper codec is not on your system. To correct the problem obtain the correct codec

NOTE: Many of the AVI movies posted to the web require special codec drivers not supported by Microsoft and are not installed with the Windows MediaPlayer

Avi video is compressed with many different codecs depending on the needs of the users. If you are confused about which codecs to install or have questions about any of the codecs or questions in general, read this Help page.

Windows Video Codecs

QuickTime Codecs - Download QuickTime 5 from Apple A gateway for rich media including images, music, MIDI, MP3 and more, QuickTime lets you experience more than 200 kinds of digital media with your Mac or PC and it offers unparalleled quality, ease of use and functionality.

Angelpotion Codec - The Angelpotion video codec is an advanced mpeg4 codec. It allows the viewing and encoding of high and low motion Divx avi files, SmR-nAVI(mpeg4v3) avi files, Microsoft mpeg4(mp4, mp42, and mp43) avi and asf files, and Angelpotion definitive mpeg4 avi files. Alternate sites: angelpotionv1-575.zip, angelpotionv1-575.zip, angelpotionv1-575.zip

Mpeg4 Codec - Windows* - Contains the MP4, MP42, and MP43 decompressors. If you should install this codec and mpeg4 video still will not run on your system, delete mpg4c32.dll and mpg4ds32.ax(if it exists) in your C:\windows\system\ directory and then reinstall the mpeg4 codec.
This install will also allow you to view nAVI encoded avi files from #shadowrealm on the Galaxynet irc network and the alt.binaries.movies.shadowrealm newsgroup.
If you have problems installing the mpeg4 codec or you would like to be able to encode mpeg4 avi and asf video, get Windows Media Tools Alternate sites: wmtools-comp.exe, mpeg4x.zip, Mpeg4x.zip, mpeg4x.zip, NT version: MPG4C32.DLL, mpeg4fix.txt, mpeg4nt.reg, mpeg4nt.zip

I263 Codec - Windows 95/98 - I263 is an older codec and most people have abandoned its use although the video quality is quite nice. Alternate sites: codinstl.exe


I263 Codec - Windows NT/2000. Alternate sites: VIDCI263.zip


Indeo Video Codecs - Windows* or Mac - Contains the Indeo IR3*, IV4*, and IV5* codecs. Recently the Ligos Corporation took over Indeo video development from Intel Architecture Labs. They have updated Indeo Video to Indeo Video 5.11 and will continue to develop the technology in the future. Please visit the Ligos Corporations website for more information and support. Alternate sites: iv5setup.exe

DivX Codec - DivX is the name given to a video codec (Apart from being a trademark of Project Mayo) and is based on the MPEG-4 compression format. Newest version of the DivX codec. Contains the div3 and div4 decompressors. You may want to download the newest DirectX 8 drivers to take full advantage of the DivX codec. The DivX codec is now available for Mac, Linux, and BeOS operating systems. If you have trouble with the newer DivX codec, you can still get the old one here divx_31alpha.exe, Alternate sites: Divx Codec (Windows): divx_31alpha.exe, DivX4Win40a50.exe, divx322b.zip

 DivX AntiFreeze 0.3 -  Sometimes DivX video clips contain invalid frames that cause Media Player to freeze the image. Theoretically codec should recover from the problem, but it doesn't. So image is freezed permanently until clip position is manually changed (by moving position slider). DivX AntiFreeze tries to avoid such freezings

Cinepak Codec - Windows* or Mac - Older codec, no longer used widely. Contains the cvid decompressor. Included in the QuickTime for Mac or Windows installer. Alternate Sites: camerapak.zip

Sorenson Codec - Windows* or Mac - This codec, sometimes referred to as vids:svq1 allows the playback and encoding of .mov and .qt video from Apples QuickTime version 3x and up technology. The newer technology that Sorenson and Apple are putting into the software is high quality and very effective for use on the web. If you don't have QuickTime, I recommend you give it a try. Sorenson playback and basic encoding is included in the QuickTime installer.

VP4 Codec - Video compression technology achieving full-screen, full-field, broadcast quality video at significantly lower data rates than other compression technologies. On2 Technologies

VP3 Codec - Plug-In for Quicktime and RealMeda: by On2

IR21 Codec - Windows 95/98 - This is an older Indeo codec that a few users might need. Alternate Sites: ir21.zip

ATIVCRx Codec - aka Vcr2 Codec This is the codec used by ATI video capture cards to compress into avi format. Avi movies captured with an ATI video card will not play on a non-ATI system without installing these codecs. This will install ATI Packed YUV Data, ATI YVU9 Planar (Indeo Raw), ATI YVU12 (MPEG Raw), ATI VCR 1.0, and ATI VCR 2.0.

WINNOV Codec - Windows 95/98 - This codec will play video captured with Winnov Videum capture cards. The WINNOV Codec for Windows NT/2000 is also available. Alternate Sites:play95.zip, playnt.zip

X263 Codec - Windows* - This decompressor is used by certain cams to compress avi video. Alternate Sites: x263codec.exe

ASV1 Codec - Windows* - This codec is used by Asus video capture cards. Alternate Sites: asvd_100.zip

M-JPEG Codec - Windows* - Motion JPEG decompressors Alternate Sites: M-JPEG Codec

PICVideo Motion JPEG Codec -Image compression for developers including Wavelet, JPEG and lossless compression Alternate Sites: PICVIDEO2.EXE,

iview321 Codec -

WIN TV Codec - Windows* - This contains decompressors used by certain Hauppage WIN TV video capture cards.Alternate Sites: mcivideo.zip

For other unsuported codecs. The program Connectix Virtual PC™ . can run PC software right on your Power Mac. Connectix Virtual PC is a Power Mac application that installs easily so you can run your favorite PC software. Virtual PC is a complete standards-based Pentium MMX PC in software using standards-based components, such as Sound Blaster Pro and S3 Video. Install and run the PC software you want - right out of the box. Virtual PC comes with a complete version of Microsoft Windows (98). Once installed you follow the same directions as PC users above.