Top 8 Best Codec Packs/ Video Codecs on Windows PC
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K-Lite Codec Pack Full
Codec pack that lets you play 99% of all the movies, featuring Media Player Classic, DivX Pro, MusePack DirectShow, LAME MP3, and many others
Some codec packs are far from being friendly with computers, as they tend to slow down Windows, break down multimedia files and make the whole movie watching experience a nuisance. This is why an efficient software has to be chosen, one that does exactly what it is supposed to without additional and unnecessary features.
Easily deployed on the system
Simply put, this is exactly what K-Lite Codec Pack Full is meant to do. This is one of the most efficient codec packs out there that is not only delivered as a very light package but is also impressively friendly with computer resources.
Installing it is quite easy, unless one is an expert who really enjoys toying around with the advanced settings. K-Lite has numerous advanced customization options but novices are advised not to spend too much time on this section, as they might erroneously modify some options and break the entire process.
View detailed info on what is installed
Furthermore, before going through the step-by-step thorough setup process, one gains access to a list that displays content, along with several details regarding each of the codecs, to give users a glimpse of what they are about to deploy.
If everything goes well and K-Lite Codec Pack Full is successfully installed, users will be able to open any multimedia files stored on their computers, without any quality loss. Furthermore, it works like a breeze from the first run, without major changes to its default settings, which is a clear indication that beginners and those who want a codec that just works have chosen the right package.
Adjust settings with a dedicated tool
Experts have the possibility to configure the audio and video decoders, as well as the DirectVobSub, in an attempt to obtain a top-notch experience when it comes to playing multimedia files. This is easily done with the help of an integrated tweaking tool that, if managed properly it can enhance the overall multimedia experience.
To sum it up
All these considered, K-Lite Codec Pack should be the first on everyone's list when it comes to codec packages. It is light, freeware, easy to use and gets along perfectly even with slower computers. It represents the first brick that needs to be placed in the multimedia entertainment wall.
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K-Lite Codec Pack Standard
Collection of DirectShow filters and codecs to play audio, video and subtitle files, which supports Media Player Classic and support for DVD playback
K-Lite Codec Pack Standard represents a collection of audio, video and subtitle codecs, required to play stream online or offline without any issues. It contains Media Player Classic and offers support for DVD playback.
Quick installation and intuitive interface
The installation procedure can be carried out in three ways - simple, normal, or advanced, depending on the user's level of experience. Therefore, the codec pack addresses both first-time users who are trying to play a certain file as well as advanced users who may want to tweak the settings for each codec in particular.
K-Lite Codec Pack Standard has a configuration panel for each main module, which enables the user to fully customize settings for each codec.
The application is light on the system resources, and it does not interrupt normal activity on the computer. It has a good response time and applies new changes rapidly. We have not encountered any issues in our tests.
Comes with an extensive list of filters
The complete package includes MPC-HC player, DirectShow video decoding filters (H.246, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, VC-1, Windows Media video, and Flash video), audio decoding filters (AC3, DTS, E-AC3, TrueHD, MLP, LPCM, AAC, MP1, MP2, MP3, and others), source filters (AVI, Matroska, MP4, MPEG-TS, MPEG-PS, Monkey's Audio, and others), along with subtitle filters (DirectVobSub, others).
Additional components contain tools (CodecTweak Tool, MediaInfo Lite), Explorer shell extensions (Icaros ThumbnailProvider and PropertyHandler), and miscellaneous items (detect broken codecs and DirectShow filters). Furthermore, you can select the decoding method between using software decoding, LAV Video - DXVA2 native, and LAV Video - DXVA2 copy-back.
A useful suite for playing videos on your PC stress-free
Aside from the standard edition, users may be interested in looking into K-Lite Codec Pack Full for extra features. All in all, this codec packs is a welcomed addition to any user who wants to successfully play multimedia files.
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Advanced Codecs for Windows 10 / 11
Contains nearly all known codecs that are specially optimized for Windows 7, 8 and 10 in order to fully enjoy your favorite movies and music
A lot of people use their computer to play music or watch movies, but occasionally these come in formats that are not natively supported by Windows, so specialized codecs are required. For instance, users can rely on Advanced Codecs for Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 to make sure they can play a wide range of multimedia files without needing any additional apps.
Select elements you want installed on your system
If users are familiar with codecs and they are confident they can identify the ones they require, they can choose the Custom installation mode. On the other hand, beginners are strongly advised to go with the Complete mode and install all the available codecs otherwise they might overlook important ones.
Another aspect worth mentioning about Advanced Codecs for Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 is that the Complete mode automatically removes other codec packs that might have been previously installed onto the host computer to avoid any conflict.
Solves format compatibility issues
Advanced Codecs for Windows 7 and 8 can be used by all those who want to be able to play MKV, MKA, RMVB, Xvid, AMR, MPC, OFR, DivX, APE, FLAC, OGG, OGM, OGV, EVO, FLV or M4B, using only the Windows Media Player integrated within the OS (other players can also be used, so one can choose the playback app they like best).
After installing Advanced Codecs for Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10, users who prefer MKV over other formats are able to get a glimpse of the contents of their files due to the displayed thumbnails – they are also created for other non-native formats, such as FLV.
Configure codecs for an enhanced multimedia experience
Those who like to have complete control over the applications installed on their computer can disable various codecs and enable them at a later time via an intuitive tabbed interface.
It needs to be mentioned that Advanced Codecs for Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 can be installed on all editions of Windows 7 and 8, be they x86 or x64 systems.
To end with
Taking everything into consideration, we can say that Advanced Codecs for Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 is one of those applications that should be on the list of top priorities after a fresh setup of an operating systems. Available codecs have you worry about compatibility issues no more, as well as the possibility to adjust them for additional quality.
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K-Lite Codec Pack Basic
A lightweight edition of DirectShow filters and codecs for playing video files with extensions such as MKV, AVI, MP4, OGM and FLV
K-Lite Codec Pack Basic contains the necessary and suffice codec components to enable the user to play audio and video files without a problem. The suite includes an extensive package of codecs that you are likely to need to play videos, while making the manual codec installation obsolete.
Comes with three modes for first-timers and advanced users
It is small-sized, so you can carry it around on a USB flash disk or similar storage device, in order to install it on any machine. Depending on the user's skill level, the installer can be picked from simple, normal or advanced mode.
Supported components include DirectShow audio decoding filters (LAV Audio), video decoding filters (LAV Video), a source filter (LAV Splitter) and a subtitle filter (DirecVobSub), along with tools (Codec Tweak Tool, Win7DSFilterTweaker) and shell extensions (Icaros ThumbnailProvider and PropertyHandler).
Enables you to configure the settings for each codec in particular
The user is able to adjust settings for each codec separately, thanks to the configuration panels. Otherwise, the default options give you the possibility of playing audio and video stream without any problems.
It is worth mentioning that the suite is capable of detecting and correct corrupted or outdated codecs that you already have installed on your system. In addition, the utility comes with special blacklists for various filters that are known to cause compatibility issues with various software solutions and games.
K-Lite Codec Pack Basic has minimal impact on system resources and commits the new modifications rapidly. We have not come across any issues in our tests, since the application did not cause the OS to hang, crash or pop up error dialogs.
A handy suite that enables you to access numerous video files
All in all, if you are having troubles playing videos or you need to access various clips available in simplistic file formats, then perhaps K-Lite Codec Pack Basic could come in handy.
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STANDARD Codecs
Enjoy full playback of all of your media files without breaking your system, thanks to this codec pack that supports numerous formats
STANDARD Codecs is a collection of audio and video codecs to help you watch movies and listen to songs of various formats without any problems. It also has features for enhancing your media experience, such as full color thumbnails, preview pane for popular file types, and MKV playback on Extenders and Xbox One.
Features support for various formats
The software application supports AMR, MPC, OFR, DIVX, MKA, APE, FLAC, EVO, FLV, M4B, MKV, OGG, OGV, OGM, RMVB and XVID formats, which can be loaded into Windows Media Player seamlessly. It's quite simple to install, and novice users don't have to configure any settings to benefit from this codec pack.
Neatly-organized menus
The configuration panel is based on a single window with all the main options organized into multiple tabs, and it caters to experienced users. You can set Windows Media Player to 32-bit or 64-bit mode, disable Icaros Explorer properties and LAV splitter, change subtitle parameters, as well as enable MC Sharpen and the default renderer (EVR).
Lets you adjust several controls
It is possible to select the audio bitstreaming mode, use LAV splitter instead of Microsoft's Splitter for AVI playback, switch from Microsoft codec to LAV codec for H264 in DirectShow Players, and more. The codec list can be saved to the desktop for further scrutiny. You may analyze or render a media file, test a file's integrity (CRC32), as well as rebuild the Windows Media Player library.
Reliable codec pack
This small utility seamlessly integrates into Windows 7, 8 and 10. We have not come across any issues throughout our evaluation, as the codec pack did not cause the OS to hang, crash or display error notifications. When it comes down to it, STANDARD Codecs is a necessary addition to any user who plays media files and wishes to get more out of this experience.
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K-Lite Codec Pack Mega
Everything needed to play online and offline computer media packed in a friendly pack featuring a smart installer to deploy exactly what you want to your system
K-Lite Codec Pack Mega is an excellent tool that can bring to one's computer everything they need for playing both online and offline multimedia content. In other words, watching videos and movies on the computer has never been easier, as this new pack includes almost everything a user would ever need.
Thorough step-by-step setup process
Besides the fact that it comes with Quicktime and RealPlayer codecs, the package also includes Media Player Classic, a great application that can open almost any video format out there with the help of the right codecs.
Installing K-Lite Codec Pack Mega can be a bit difficult for beginners, since all the formats types and names might not seem familiar, but the default settings are enough for those who are just planning to play videos without further customization.
In-depth configuration options available
Furthermore, if one chooses to install Media Player Classic as well, they get the possibility to configure the file associations for both video and audio content.
Considering it is a powerful and advanced tool, less experienced users might have a hard time trying to set up K-Lite Mega Codec Pack, especially when thinking that the package does not include a Help file or detailed descriptions of the built-in utilities.
What sets it apart from other codec packages that simply deploy their content is that it gives users the possibility to fully configure functionality settings for installed components. A codec tweak tool brings up a simple interface, equipped with adjustment categories such as codec and filter management, general and a few others.
To sum it up
All in all, K-Lite Codec Pack Mega is one of the most complex codec packages out there, but the most impressive thing is that it really works seamlessly. Beginners and power users alike can use K-Lite Codec Pack Mega with ease.
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Advanced x64ComponentsPM for Windows 10 / 11
Deploys all the needed codecs in order to enjoy your favorite movies or songs and fully take advantage of your x64 system's power
When you want to watch your favorite videos in a player of your choice and you encounter various errors, it’s time to install a codec pack on your system, so it can be ready for whatever format you throw at it.
Supplying your x64 system with more power
Advanced x64Components for Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 is yet another codec collection addressed to x64 operating systems only. It’s a great pack for those who want to watch movies and videos in Windows Media Center version or in video players that until now suffered from unknown errors.
Full deployment of all the application's features is done in the setup process. Users who have some experience can select the Custom installation mode, while novices are advised to stick with the Complete mode.
An intuitive and easy setup process
The installation process is very smooth and speedy, requiring you to press a few “Next” Buttons. It gets completed in a matter of seconds and at the end of it, a Settings window is displayed, allowing you to configure the installed codecs. The default settings work just fine and further adjustments can always be reset to default if you’re not happy with the modifications you have made.
Worry no more about format compatibility issues
Advanced x64ComponentsPM for Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 prepares your systems for various multimedia formats: AVI, RM, H264, MKV, MOV, OGG, MP4, to name the most important ones. Among other features worth mentioning, there is the ability to render or analyze a media file, as well as the capability to test its integrity.
In conclusion
All in all, this simple codec pack comes in very handy for all those who encountered difficulties playing video or audio files. With this software on your system, you can consider yourself fully equipped for the most popular media formats.
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MagicYUV
A top-class lossless video codec designed to support high resolutions, allowing high-quality uncompressed video recordings of 4K and up without specialized hardware
MagicYUV provides a practical lossless video codec that allows high-performance processing of high-resolution videos. Designed with speed and efficiency in mind, it can decode FullHD and 4K videos, allowing game session recordings and delivering editing and post-production capabilities.
Allows realtime 4k editing and processing
One of the perks of MagicYUV is that it can be used by the regular users and professional video production professionals alike. The package installs a Video for Windows codec and a QuickTime component that can be freely configured. Additionally, it delivers plugins for various popular video players and editors.
You can deploy the VideoLAN VLC plugin to allow the playback of MagicYUV encoded files and install plugins for Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Media Encoder or MAGIX Vegas Pro, which allows each of the mentioned applications to import and export videos encoded with MagicYUV. Each of these components can be optionally excluded during setup.
One of the fastest lossless video codecs
MagicYUV prides itself in its multi-threaded encoding and decoding, which ensures high-speed processing. It is one of the fastest lossless video codecs, allowing video recording at high resolutions, without putting a strain on the CPU. It obtains very good results both in compression and decompression benchmark tests.
With its help, you can obtain uncompressed, stunning videos without specialized software or hardware. To this extent, it is compatible with popular game recorders such as MSI Afterburner and Dxtory, as well as video production tools, such as vMix.
A versatile, high-performance video codec
Relying on a multi-threaded processing engine and an advanced SSE optimized coder and decoder, MagicYUV offers a high-performance lossless video codec that outputs a decompressed video bit-by-bit identical to the original. It supports several input and output formats to ensure compatibility with various applications.
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