H264 Codec

[C']

It appears that an anime fansub I download changed format from divx to H264 codec a few episodes ago and at the moment I am unable to play them back.

I tried to get the codec via a download called ffdshow which led (I think) to the problems detailed in my other thread earlier in the week, end result being that I formated the HDD. Can anyone recommend another alternative to get this codec installed on my computer?

Also, I'd like to be able to continue watching these on my PS3 which supported Divx but not H264. Is there any easy to use software that can convert the files for me?

[Rossco]

Cant you just use VLC to play them?

[smouty]

FFDShow is fine. Did you use an upto date build?
The PS3 can play back h264 but it has to be encoded within certain profile definitions.
Details HERE

[Hohum]

I use KMplayer myself. It's a media player with codecs supported internally, so no codecs are installed on your system to play back content. Basically, it'll play almost anything out of the box without the need to install any codecs, thus you avoid any conflict-related issues.

Download:

http://www.kmplayer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8351

Info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_KMPlayer

[saif]

Search for CCCP on google - it is a codec pack that (i think) was designed for anime.

[Sane]

If you do go the codec way I recommend CoreAVC, it's not free though.

[Matt]

Often codec issues are because people install too many conflicting codecs, usually through codec "packs". I'd stay well away from CCCP. What would be best is a fresh install of only the things you need, but often uninstalling codec packs doesn't really work and requires registry fixes.

Use these programs and you can play just about everything. I strongly recommend them, I've done a lot of research on codecs when building my HTPC and selected what I consider to be the best, and avoided everything else.

FFDShow
AC3 Filter http://ac3filter.net/
Haali Media Splitter - http://haali.cs.msu.ru/mkv/
WMV 9 VCM -http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

QuickTime Alternative - this is free,

Use Media Player Classic as the player, which is free, and has a very small footprint.

You can now play EVERYTHING. FFDShow is great, you can customise it all you like. It will scale everything, including DVDs, better than most high-end DVD players. There are tutorials online.

[Sane]

Agreed, codec packs should be avoided, I've had so much problems with them in the past.

[sj33]

CoreAVC is the fastest H.264 codec by far, but it's not free, and you may not need such a fast decoder for what you plan to watch.

Dunno what issues you had with ffdshow, it's the best solution for any kind of decoding. But I agree with the suggestion to use VLC if you've had problems with ffshow.

Codec Packs are by far the biggest cause of problems with video and audio decoding. Especially KLite, but even CCCP... there's just no need to use a codec pack these days, since ffdshow decodes almost everything. Chain's post covers this very well.

[abigsmurf]

CoreAVC is by far the best .h264 codec. Can enable full speed 1080p decoding on pre-core2 systems.

Codec packs are handy but ONLY for fresh installs. If you have any codecs installed before hand, you're going to get conflict issues (most commonly green, glitchy videos and weird interlacing style artifacts)

[Matt]

Said it once, I'll say it agan - AVOID CODEC PACKS! All of them. Honestly it's not worth it. Use FFDshow for everything

I'm not sure if CoreAVC is the best either - it's the fastest, but when I was building my HTPC I saw some comparison shots with other codecs and it seems to have more artifacting than the others. Plus it costs money. Good on older systems, as you say, but I think there are better quality alternatives.

[sj33]

I'd agree you don't really need CoreAVC unless you're trying to watch 1080p content on a non-Core2 system. FFDShow is great for basically everything, though be sure you get the newer 'Tryouts' fork, and not the original, outdated releases. http://sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow-tryout/

Codec packs are satan spawn, CCCP included.

[Matt]

Didn't realise there was a "new/better" FFDShow out. I'll check that out, but must backup all my settings - I've spent a long time getting FFDshow optimised for my setup

[JammyD]

CoreAVC is by far the best .h264 codec. Can enable full speed 1080p decoding on pre-core2 systems.

Codec packs are handy but ONLY for fresh installs. If you have any codecs installed before hand, you're going to get conflict issues (most commonly green, glitchy videos and weird interlacing style artifacts)

It's the fastest, but afaik FFDShow gives better results.

[C']

Sorry to resurrect this thread but I decided to have a go at this guide smouty linked me to.

FFDShow is fine. Did you use an upto date build?
The PS3 can play back h264 but it has to be encoded within certain profile definitions.
Details HERE

The files now play fine on my PC. FFDShow is what I went with again and whatever problems I got originally never resurfaced. However, I really want to be watching these files in the lounge on a big screen which means I need to get them working on either 360 or (preferably) the PS3.

Now my attempts at following ithe guidewere unsuccessful which was a bit of a downer considering the entire re-encoding process took about an hour, but it has got me wondering about a couple of things before I try again.

If the PS3 is capable of playing h264 as mentioned, then why don't the files play as they are when I down load them? Why do I have to even re-encode them at all? For reference, the files are h264 format with an .avi extension and a resolution of 856x480.