What is a codec? A codec is a device or program capable of converting data or a signal. Simply put, a codec is an intermediate stage between a screen and a movie file that will help you watch this movie.
Why are codecs needed? Often the player refuses to play videos or shows an image without sound. This may mean that you do not have the codecs that are needed to convert this stream: the system cannot find a way to decode this file.
Previously, when codecs were not friends with each other, there were a huge number of manufacturers and formats, you had to download each codec for each format separately, after spending time and effort to find all these files.
But then someone thought of combining all these codecs into a single installation kit. The most popular collection of such codecs is called K-Lite codec-pack. This is a universal set of codecs and programs for viewing and processing audio and video files, which helps both convert video files and view them. The K-Lite package also includes some utilities for displaying information about media files, calculating bitrates, etc. The K-Lite Codec Pack is distributed absolutely free of charge.
Installing the K-Lite Codec Pack
Let's take a concrete example of how to properly install K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 11.0.0.
1. Double click to run the file K-Lite_Codec_Pack_1100_Mega.exe. You will see the installation start window. Click the button Next.
2. A window will appear prompting you to check for updates. If you don't want to check for updates, clear the Perform quick upgrade checkbox. Click Next.
3. After clicking on the Next button, you will be taken to the menu for selecting components to install. If you do not know which components to choose, leave everything as it is and proceed to the next installation step by clicking the Next button. (For complete installation all components of the K-Lite Codec Pack will require about 59.9 MB free space on disk.)
4. A window will appear asking you to assign audio/video file associations to players. If you have already assigned associations with other players, uncheck the Create file associations box so that you don't mess up your settings. If you want to reset all settings, check the Reset all settings to their default checkbox. The rest of the settings are left as default. Clicking on the button Next.
5. In the next window, do not change anything and click on the button Next.
6. The Media Player Classic settings window will appear. Leave everything as default and click Next.
7. A window will appear with the option to select the language of the program. The first language (Primary language) select Russian (Russian), the second language (Secondary language) select English (English). Click Next.
8. At this stage, select the video player. If you do not know which one to choose, uncheck all the boxes or leave Media Player Classic (x86). Click the button Next.
9. A window with Audio settings will appear. Leave everything as default and click Next.
10. Settings completed. Click the button Install by starting the installation process. Here you can still change something by clicking on the button Back.
11. After finishing the process, click on the button Finish.
Installation completed.
Before purchase or self-assembly personal computer, the user should have an important question - what operating system does he plan to use? The market is now dominated by Windows and macOS X for the home, as well as a host of free, non-commercial operating systems based on the Linux kernel or descendants of Unix-like systems, such as FreeBSD and OpenSolaris. Each operating system its own operating rules, somewhere everything more than works out of the box or in Live USB mode, in other cases you have to not only spend a considerable amount of time installing drivers, but also solve problems with software part use. This can especially be a serious problem for people who like to watch movies in high resolution(for example, Blu-ray) using files for this, which in size can reach up to 10-30 gigabytes of memory hard drive(depending on the container used). There are not enough built-in tools to play movies with this extension (most often it is .mkv) Windows multimedia, especially in older versions. Of course, it is possible that the file will be able to be played, but it will not be possible to change the voice acting, subtitles or use any tools.
And in most cases, such a movie will be impossible to watch due to various artifacts, friezes, or due to the lack of synchronization of video and audio tracks.
Therefore, you have to resort to installing additional codecs that perform the functions of encrypting and decrypting data. The difference between codec assemblies will be described below, as well as, how to install K-Lite Codec Pack correctly.
Set difference
K-Lite Codec Pack is a collection of various free codecs that are included in the four sets available: "Basic", "Standart", "Full" and "Mega". Each following set includes the previous one, having additions, for example, the player "Media Player CLassic Home Cinema" (abbreviated as MPC-HC). Sets are designed for specific tasks and needs. "Basic" is ideal for those users who only need codecs that can interact with other players, including the standard "Player Windows Media". The Standard set also includes the previously mentioned Windows Media Player. In fact, it makes much more sense to download it separately, without pre-installing codecs, since it includes all the necessary components by default.
Also "MPC-HC" is rightfully one of the best alternative and, most importantly, free players. In most cases, it overtakes such commercial projects as "KMPlayer", not inferior in performance and playback capabilities of movies with various extensions.
Where to download
You can download the codecs from the official website codecguide , there are also sets with descriptions of the components that they include. In addition to everything, this site has a section of news and changes, where, in addition to updates to the main software, there are also convenient links to download video drivers, as well as plug-ins related to the operation of flash elements. All files are downloaded by clicking on hyperlinks.
There is also another website where you can download the latest released MPC-HC release.
This video player is no longer officially developed, however, source This program is freely available on souceforge. For this reason, you can use unofficial forks, which consist in updating codecs.
Installing codecs
Before proceeding with the installation, the user needs to decide for what purpose he needs codecs. Otherwise, he risks clogging his OS with unnecessary components that he will not use. In most cases, the "Basic" set is sufficient, which can be easily assigned to any player by default. In the description of the set it is written that all audio and video files with the usual extensions will be played, such as: AVI, MKV, MP4, MP3, FLAC, DVD, Blu-ray and so on.
By running the installer, the user will be prompted to use one of two modes: "Normal" and "Advanced". For finer settings, the latter option was chosen.
Selecting the default player.
Installation directory, you don't need to change it.
Now the most important thing is the components. By default, the recommended values will be set, however, the user can set those configurations that will be most convenient for him. 
Decoder selection. There is no need to change anything here unless the user is sure that another decoder will not work better.
Language settings are set automatically.
Assigning codecs to one or another bit depth of the player. You can leave it as is, the user is unlikely to notice really significant changes.
Audio and video file associations. If there are no other players in the system, you should make sure that the associations are set to all available file extensions.
Audio decoder settings. In the absence of a professional sound card and other equipment, you can also change nothing.
List of files for which image thumbnails will be created.
So, having set all the settings, the installer will display general information. You can then click on the "Install" button to start the installation. This happens in a matter of seconds. To interact with codecs, you need to use the "Codec Tweak Tool", which is automatically installed.
The installation is completed, now it is possible to play audio and video files with an unusual Windows extension, and the user is familiar with how to install the K-Lite Codec Pack.
K-Lite Codec Pack is an excellent set of utilities and codecs that will allow you to watch video in any format on your computer. I recommend installing it on every computer, otherwise there may be various problems with video playback. Before installing the K-Lite Codec Pack, make sure that no other codecs are installed on your computer, this is important. In this article, I will detail where you can download latest version codecs and how to install K-Lite Codec Pack.
Where to download K-Lite Codec Pack
To download K-Lite Codec Pack click on this link: http://k-lite-codec-pack.org.ua/skachat-k-lite-codec-pack . In the window that opens, find and click K-Lite Mega Codec Pack.
How to install K-Lite Codec Pack
Run the downloaded file K-Lite_Codec_Pack_Mega.exe from your desktop or your browser's download manager. The installation process will begin, click "Next".
Do not change anything, click "Next".
In the "Select Components" window, it's also better not to change anything, click the "Next" button.
Additional tasks and options can be configured in the Additional Task and Options window. It is better for a novice user not to change anything, and here, again "Next".
Everything is also "Next".
Check the box next to the name of your favorite player in the "File associations" window. If this is not in the list, or if you do not understand what is at stake, then uncheck all the boxes and click "Next".
Select the number of channels for your acoustics in the "Speaker configuration" window. If you have a regular pair of computer speakers connected to your computer, then leave "2.0 (stereo)" and click "Next".
Click "Install" to complete the installation of codecs.
In the last window, click "Finish".
This completes the codec installation. There is no need to launch K-Lite Codec Pack when watching movies, codecs are automatically built into the operating system. Happy viewing!
Installing the codec pack is one of the first steps after reinstalling the system. It is almost impossible to work at a computer without codecs - neither to listen to music, nor to watch a movie, nor in mobile phone drop the roller. At the same time, few people have a correct idea of how a computer turns a file into a picture on the display. When there is no video on the screen of a laptop or home PC, many people look for the reason in codecs and, without hesitation, install some standard package. But the term "codec pack" itself is much broader and is not limited to just one set of decoders. Let's take a closer look at this issue using the popular K-Lite Codec Pack as an example.
Those times when codecs for viewing video files had to be independently searched on the Web and installed one by one are long gone. Playback of many video formats is supported by the operating system by default, and to view all other files, it is customary to install codec packs. Win7 codecs, Windows 7 Codec Pack, XP Codec Pack, CCCP - these and many other free packages can be easily found on the Internet. They differ, for the most part, insignificantly, since almost all of them are based on the ffdshow decoder library. Despite all the variety of codec packs, for many years the K-Lite Codec Pack has been the most popular.
Most users install this application in order not to have problems playing video files downloaded from the Internet. However, the K-Lite Codec Pack includes not only video playback tools, but also various additional utilities that may be useful to movie and music lovers. In this article, we will talk about what components are included in the K-Lite Codec Pack, how to choose the right one between them.
First of all, let's make a reservation that this set of codecs comes in several editions, so what tools you can find after installing it depends on which version was installed. There are only four editions: Basic, Standard, Full and Mega. For users who actively watch videos but do not code, the Full edition is best suited, which includes a complete set of tools for playing audio and video files. The Basic and Standard versions have a limited set of codecs and differ from each other mainly in that the Standard edition includes the Media Player Classic media player. As for the most complete edition - Mega - it includes additional tools for encoding video, as well as ripping DVD / BD-discs.
However, the choice of a certain edition does not mean at all that all the tools that are included in it will be installed. K-Lite Codec Pack has a very thoughtful installer that allows you to choose which components to install.
You can trust one of the preset profiles, or go through the list of components and make a selection manually. The latter can be a daunting task, because in addition to the checkboxes that enable or disable a particular component, the installation wizard also contains radio buttons for choosing between several similar tools. Thus, the K-Lite Codec Pack includes a number of codecs and other tools that perform the same task. A reasonable question arises: why? Sometimes this is due to the fact that there are several similar developments, and it is impossible to say which one is better. How well codecs and other tools work depends on many factors - the configuration, the version of the OC used, and other factors.
Sometimes even two versions of the same component can be found in the K-Lite Codec Pack. This is done primarily for those users who prefer time-tested releases and do not want to try new versions that may have bugs. For example, Media Player Classic comes in two editions: Classic, which hasn't been updated since 2007, and Home Cinema, which supports DXVA technology and is optimized for HD video viewing. But even for Media Player Classic Home Cinema, you can find two versions at once - the latest one, as well as an earlier one that has established itself as stable.
One of the features of the K-Lite Codec Pack installer is to check the system for installed components previous versions. If they are found, the installer automatically removes them before starting the installation. This is done to minimize incompatibility errors, and also just to keep the system as small as possible "garbage".
The main component of K-Lite Codec Pack are decoders for viewing video files. For Windows users 7, the problem of finding the right codecs is much less acute than for those who still use Windows XP. This is due to the fact that the latest version of the operating system by default has Microsoft codecs designed to play the most common audio and video formats. However, firstly, with the help of integrated codecs, not all files can be played back, and secondly, for many formats there are alternative decoders that are superior to the standard ones in many ways.
⇡ ffdshow decoder library
As mentioned above, K-Lite Codec Pack is based on the ffdshow decoder library. It is a set of separate components for decoding audio and video files, as well as post-processing filters. Why is ffdshow good? The fact that all the components that make up the library are tested for compatibility with each other, and this minimizes the likelihood of errors. When installing the K-Lite Codec Pack, it offers to use ffdshow to play almost all formats. The only exception is DVD playback - here, in order to avoid problems, the built-in Microsoft decoder is offered by default.
Preference is also given to ffdshow when choosing decoders for audio playback. The filter library is proposed to be used for decoding sound in films (AC3 and AAC formats), as well as for processing the LPCM format, which is used on many DVDs and Blu-ray. Alternatively, you can choose AC3 Filter. As for MP3, ffdshow certainly supports this most popular format. Even if you uncheck the box next to its name, such files will still be played, since MP3 support is available in Windows.
The ffdshow library is familiar to many users by the red icon that appears in the system tray when playing files with it. ffdshow works with many players and other applications that play video and audio files. For example, if you assign hot keys to perform various video operations in the decoder library settings, they will work in all supported programs. The ffdshow settings also give you the option to exclude the use of the library in a particular application. If the program is blacklisted by ffdshow, then when opening a video file in it, the system will use other available decoders.
And ffdshow is good because it has a convenient graphical interface, working with which you can easily select the decoder used for each container. These can be either codecs included in ffdshow or third-party ones.
The ffdshow library is not only codecs, but also post-processing filters that can be applied to a video stream. The name of the filters is due to the fact that they are applied after the main video processing is performed, that is, its decoding. You can quickly apply them by clicking on the ffdshow icon, and for fine tuning you need to go to the options window. When choosing new settings, all changes are displayed in real time. If several filters are applied, then it is worth bearing in mind that the order in which they are added matters.
Post-processing filters may not be available if a codec is used for decoding that is not included in ffdshow, since not all decoders support adding filters.
⇡ Audio parsers and video splitters
Despite the fact that K-Lite Codec Pack is called a codec pack, it also includes other important components, without which video playback is impossible. These are, first of all, audio parsers and video splitters. They have different names, but the purpose is the same, only parsers work with audio files, and splitters work with video files. These components are designed to separate the media stream into separate components (sound, video, subtitles). When a video file is launched in the player, the program sends information to the splitter or parser, which splits it into components, after which the required codecs are accessed.
K-Lite Codec Pack allows you to select different splitters to handle different containers. In most cases, Haali is used by default, although, for example, AVI files it is proposed to process built-in Windows means. This is explained primarily by the fact that when using alternative splitters, there is a possibility of compatibility problems. On the other hand, with the help standard means it is impossible to play Matroska (MKV) files and some others.
The Haali video splitter is loved by many for having some nice extras, such as switching audio tracks in a file by clicking on the system tray icon.
LAV splitters are relatively new - the first public version was released about a year ago, and the latest version today is 0.30. In the latest release of the K-Lite Codec Pack (version 7.5), it was LAV Splitter that replaced the obsolete Gabest filters. Among other things, LAV Splitter provides support for playing FLV and Blu-Ray files.
⇡ Subtitle engine, Haali Video Renderer and VFW/ACM codecs
The K-Lite Codec Pack also has the ability to install the Direct Vob Sub subtitle engine. The decision whether to install it depends on which player will be used for DVD playback. Some players, such as Media Player Classic, already have a subtitle engine integrated, so there is no point in installing it.
Standing apart in the K-Lite Codec Pack installation wizard is Haali Video Renderer, a video rendering engine that is positioned as an alternative to VMR9 (the standard Windows renderer that is part of DirectX). The main difference between Haali Video Renderer and VMR9 is faster work, which is achieved by using a different way of scaling the picture.
When installing the most complete editions of the K-Lite Codec Pack, it is also proposed to install a whole set of VFW (Video for Windows) and ACM (Audio Compression Manager) codecs designed to work with the corresponding technologies. These codecs are useful for editing videos in some programs (for example, Virtual Dub), as well as for ripping discs, so if you do not do either, you do not need to install them.
⇡ Utilities Codec Tweak Tool, Media Info Lite and Win7 DS Filter Tweaker
The K-Lite Codec Pack also includes many additional utilities. The most popular of them are Codec Tweak Tool, Media Info Lite and Win7DS Filter Tweaker.
The Codec Tweak Tool is designed to manage installed codecs. The utility displays a list of all available decoders, makes it possible to disable some of them, as well as identify components that have problems, and offers to fix errors. In particular, using the Codec Tweak Tool, you can fix a common error due to which sound does not work in some applications.
One more useful feature Codec Tweak Tool- backup all settings of the K-Lite Codec Pack components. The presence of such a copy is indispensable for those users who often experiment with the settings of codecs, the player and other tools for working with media files. Backup copy, created by Codec Tweak Tool, contains settings for all the most important components: Media Player Classic, ffdshow, Haali Media Splitter, AC 3 Filter, Direct Vob Sub, Xvid.
You can also use the Codec Tweak Tool to change the thumbnail settings for media files in File Explorer. This feature can be useful when working on netbooks, when automatic generation of thumbnails for all video files can cause "brakes". It is convenient that the program has the ability to quickly restore system settings.
Although installing the K-Lite Codec Pack solves the problem of playing most media files, in some cases problems may still occur. Using the Media Info Lite utility, you can easily determine which codecs compressed problematic files. In addition, the program displays such information about the file as resolution, bitrate, duration. The data can be saved as text file. Media Info Lite integrates into context menu"Explorer", so to get information about the file, you do not even need to first run the program.
Win7 DS Filter Tweaker is a utility designed to change the default decoders used in Windows 7 when working with Windows Media Player and Media Center. If alternative codecs can be used when watching video in alternative players in Windows 7, then when opening files in Windows Media Player and Media Center, the system uses only built-in tools. You can change the settings only by manually making changes to system registry. Win7 DS Filter Tweaker allows you to forcefully change the used H.264, xVid, DivX decoders without accessing the registry editor.
Also, Win7 DS Filter Tweaker allows you to disable the use of the Media Foundation multimedia framework, which is positioned by Microsoft as an upcoming replacement for Direct Show. You can work with Win7DS Filter Tweaker without any fear - any changes made easy to cancel.
The developers of K-Lite Codec Pack also took care of those who decide to remove the codec pack from the system, preferring another product. After launching the uninstaller, all system video playback settings changed using Win7 DS Filter Tweaker are checked and it becomes possible to roll back.
⇡ Conclusion
The K-Lite Codec Pack is designed in such a way that, with default settings, playing files causes as few problems as possible. That is why most users do not bother reading the names of its components and manually selecting settings during the installation process. If everything works fine, then no one thinks about why this is happening. Questions begin when a black screen appears instead of a video, when the player closes spontaneously, and so on. Many of these problems can be fixed by installing the latest K-Lite Codec Pack, changing playback options in ffdshow settings, or using the Codec Tweak Tool.
Codecs- these are the files needed to run the audio and video files in avi, wav, mpeg formats, etc. If you suddenly do not play any audio orvideo file, then most likely you do not have the necessary codecs. The K-Lite Codec Pack, which contains a complete set of codecs for playing and encoding videos of even the rarest formats, will help you fix this problem.
In order to install the K-Lite Codec Pack codecs, follow the steps below in order.
Step 1 . Run setup file K-Lite Codec Pack by double-clicking on it with the left mouse button.
Step 2 . The K-Lite Codec Pack Installation Wizard window will open. Click to continue Next.
Step 2 . Choose an installation option:
Simple.
- Normal.
- Extended.
Select advanced ( Advanced mode) and click the button Next.
Step 3 . In the next window, you need to specify the codec installation pathK-Lite Codec Pack. Leave the default path and click Next.
Step 4 . In the new window, you need to selectinstalledComponents. Click on the dropdown menu and select a set Lots of stuff. To continue installing codecs, click Next.
Step 5 . In this window, you will be prompted to create a folder in Start. If you want to create it, then in the fieldDon't create a Start Menu folderuncheck. If you do not want to create, then check the box. Click Next.
Step 6 . In a new window, you will be asked to make a few more settings to the components that you selected in step 4. Perhaps here you can uncheck the box Reset all settings to their dafaults. Click to continue Next.
Step 7 . Hardware acceleration is configured in the Hardware Acceleration window. Leave everything as default and click on the button Next.
Step 8 In the File associations window (file association) tick all players installed on the computer for the ability to associate different files with these players and press Next.
Step 9 . Selecting files associated with the player Media Player Classic . Click on the button Sellect all video and Select all audio . Click Next.
Step 10 . Now we select the associated files for another player, which is called Windows Media Player . Similarly to the previous step, select all video and audio files and click Next . If you have another player installed, then set up an association for it.
Step 11 . Next, select the number of speakers connected to your computer and click Next.
Step 12 . The next window will display all the information aboutinstalledcomponents. To install codecsK-Lite Codec Pack click Install.
Step 13 Will begin codec installation processto your computer, which will last approximately 10-15 seconds.
