windows media player, what is a codec?

Question

and where would I get all the ones I need to play all the .avi files on my computer? seems like some work and some dont sometimes its an audio issue other times its the video that doesnt work. How can I make it so that WMP plays all of them?

Answer 1

A CODEC is short for Encoder/Decoder and is a piece of software (in this instance) that will allow different types of files to play in WMC.



In theory, unless you have blocked access to the Web, WMC will automatically download codecs as they are needed ... in reality that's not always true.



Maybe try downloading VLC Media Player (it's free to download and use) and use that to play files that WMC has trouble with .... it plays most types of files automatically.

Answer 2

Hi, I can't beleive some of these other answers people are giving you. A codec will let the player decode the file so you can watch it. I'm gonna give you some recommendations for the best codec pack and media players.



http://shark007.net/index.html go here and download the codec pack for whichever operating system you may have and follow the instructions given and then you will have all the codecs you need and it will make windows media player play all files by default if you click that in the options and it works good. I don't recommend k-lite codec pack it can break your system.



Or you can try this route http://www.gomlab.com/eng/ this player will play most files without the need for a codec pack and play more files with the shark007 pack



Or http://download.pandora.tv/?mode=kmp&tab=1 this media player is my personal favorite. it will play almost anything and is the most customisable player i've seen. I hope this helps you out,

Answer 3

A codec is a device or computer program capable of encoding and/or decoding a digital data stream or signal.[1][2][3][4] The word codec is a portmanteau of 'compressor-decompressor' or, more commonly, 'coder-decoder'. A codec (the program) should not be confused with a coding or compression format or standard – a format is a document (the standard), a way of storing data, while a codec is a program (an implementation) which can read or write such files. In practice "codec" is sometimes used loosely to refer to formats, however.



A codec encodes a data stream or signal for transmission, storage or encryption, or decodes it for playback or editing. Codecs are used in videoconferencing, streaming media and video editing applications. A video camera's analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converts its analog signals into digital signals, which are then passed through a video compressor for digital transmission or storage. A receiving device then runs the signal through a video decompressor, then a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for analog display. The term codec is also used as a generic name for a video conferencing unit.

Answer 4

you have 2 strategies: a million. get carry of VLC participant that should run any achieveable video format. 2. set up ok-Lite or KLM Codec for XP. using VLC participant, you could strengthen your source audio to 4 hundred%