Most Popular Codecs

Matt Grunau

Matt Grunau

Adobe Demigod
Hi all. One thing that inevitably happenens when someone goes to play something is the "I can't view it" response. I think we need some input from folks with links to the most used codecs. Personally, I prefer DivX 5

http://www.digital-digest.com/software/download.php?sid=1061&ssid=0&did=1

For my stuff.

Some people have Macs

http://www.divx.com/divx/mac/

so there's that one.

I can't watch the newer Quicktimes, and don't know how to enocde in anything other than Sorenson3, which creates large files. I also like Indeo 5.1, and have yet tp play with Xvid.

What does everyone else use?


EDIT: I just realized this should probably have gone in the Output/Compression forum. Sorry Mods if I posted wrongly. This way more people will see it at least.
 
Thanks horse. What kind do you use and prefer?

Rather than just having a list to codecs, if we could share the ones we use and maybe even why, that would be even more helpfull.

That said, I use DivX because I think it gives the best results for the amount of compression. That, and you can go into the Configuration utilities of it in your program menu and realy tweak it, so when it plays, you can get differnt looks.
 
As soon as the player goes out on the 'net to try to find the proper codec, I close the player and forget about watching whatever it was. Not worth my time (and more than half the time, it can't find the right one, anyway).
 
I just stick with the standard presets in Sorenson. I've never really experimented with different codecs.
 
Compression is something I really need to work on, I usually stick with the presets in sorenson squeeze as well, and maybe make a few minor adustments, even though I really don't know what I'm doing....Somehow though my stuff never looks good.
 
Well, one codec I've been using a lot lately is H.264 (or .m4v) which is an mpeg4 variation that achieves a much better look. It is the same file type that is being used by Apple to sell TV shows via iTunes.

Sorenson calls this compression AVC. However, I'm not sure which version of Sorenson Squeeze does the H.264 compression as their earlier AVC codec was actually for H.263 (a forerunner to H.264).
 
I don't have the ability to create WM9 files but I've seen several good ones. I don't know how the compression /file size works out compared to H.264, but WM9 is definitely a good choice.

In fact, I'd say if you were able to offer WM9 and H.264 versions of your videos, then you're golden.
 
I have the same problem on my pc when trying to view QT movies. Tells me that QT is missing software that is unavailable at the QT site.

I'm with GenJerDan on this one, though. If it won't play, I'm not wasting my time trying to fix it. :badputer:

I export all my web stuff as WM9, works great.

Horse, I can't stop staring at your new avatar. It's very hypnotic.
 
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I've used WM9 for a few years now. Not only great quality for filesize, but also a well supported & documented and not to mention free, compression and delivery infrastructure.
I used to used WM8 if there was the possibilety of an older computer audience, but we are past that now. I don't think I've ever got a complaint of unable to view except for a couple of Mac users who didn't have WMP installed at all (Who's fault is that?)


I wish they'd quit bickering and support each other for playback. ... Ha! That's funny! (used without permission of TL)


I've tried QT a few times, and normally end up with a huge file with enough resolution to show a couple of pixels wrestling.


...VHS delivery did have one benfit... :badputer:


- Mikko
 
I use H264 the most. But before it cam out apple two years ago came out with another codec called pixlet. It was developed buy Pixar for there file compression. It is a really strong codec gives an awesome picture and very small file size. The only draw back is if you don't have an apple you can't watch it. But if you’re going apple to apple you might want to check out this QuickTime codec.
 
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