Vista - Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs

**dmex** · 05-11-2008

With these packages installed you won't need to install any other codecs.

When dealing with codecs, more does not equal better.
Having the least amount on your system is the best configuration.
This is exactly what the Vista Codec Package does for you.

You will no longer be restricted to using a specific player on 32bit or 64bit.
Vista MediaPlayer and MediaCenter will be able to play all your files.

Updated: 1st-November-2008

Vista 32bit MediaPlayer & MediaCenter Codecs: (everyone needs this version)
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5326

Vista 64bit MediaPlayer & MediaCenter Codecs: (64bit users only, after installing the above)
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5535

64bit NOTE: Vista Ultimate 64bit uses the 32bit player as the system default. The X64 Components include icons to allow you to change the system's default player between the 32bit and 64bit Windows Media Player(s).

One other aspect of Vista x64 Windows Media Player(s) needs to be mentioned. If you associate a particular filetype to open with WMP while the system default is set to use the 64bit player, that filetype will always open the 64bit player when doubleclicked. This occurs even if you change the system default back to using the 32bit player.

Vista Codec Pack Tools & Extras

Quicktime Lite for Vista Codec Pack
|MG| QuickTime Lite for VCP 1.1.2 Final

The Vista Codec Package no longer includes any QuickTime components. VCP is fully capable of MOV and 3GP playback without any QuickTime software installed. This release of QuickTime Lite for VCP uses the original MSI installer from Apple to install a 'lite' version of QuickTime which will provide full browser support for viewing and downloading QuickTime files.

Media Player Classic Home Cinema Player

http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/

Media Player Classic is an extremely light-weight media player for Windows. It looks just like the good-old Media Player v6.4, but has lots of nice extra features.
MPC has, for instance, a built in DVD player with real-time zoom, support for AVI subtitles, QuickTime and RealVideo support and lots more. (keys 2,4,6,8 for Video Zoom)
Definitely a great replacement for the huge and clumsy Microsoft Media Players.

GSpot Codec Identifier
GSpot Download

GSpot is a codec identification utility - identifies which video and audio codec compression method is used on any file, whether the matching codec is installed, and more.

**dmex** · 05-11-2008

Audio output and Speaker setup (Vista)

For DVD settings and audio such as AC3 Dolby Digital 5.1 surround
Open the AC3filter configuration shortcut, in the upper left you will see, Output format -
the default setting is : AS IS (no change) ..... you may set it as you wish.

All other audio playback
Open the Audio decoder configuration shortcut, scroll the left window down to 'Mixer',
place a check in the 'Mixer' box, and in the right-hand window select you speaker setup in the drop down list
Then check the box for LFE if you have a subwoofer attached.

To use SPDIF output
Go into Vista's Control Panel and navigate Sound/SPDIF/Properties/Advanced/Exclusive Mode
(depending on your sound device, the above path may be a bit different but similar)
Then CHECK the box [x] for the following 2 items
'allow applications to take exclusive control of this device'
'give exclusive mode applications priority'

If you are experiencing choppy or stuttering sound

Go into Vista's Control Panel and open the Sound applet
Select your output device in the list that appears
NOTE: the default output device is commonly labeled Speakers
Right click on the device and from the context menu click Properties.
Click on the Enhancements TAB.
Then CHECK the box [x] for Disable all enhancements.

NOTES on certain types of playback

If Windows fails to playback DVD's install Media Player Classic.

Some AVI files will require you to use the shortcuts provided in the settings folder.

Some MOV, MPG, MPEG, MKV, TS, or M2TS files will require you to use the shortcuts.Look in the settings folder.

To playback ASF files in Media Player or Media Center change the file extension to ASX.
To playback VOB files in Media Player or Media Center change the file extension to MPG.

When using the above shortcuts, the installation default is always marked for easy return.

Thanks to Shark007 for making the Vista Codec Pack available for everyone.

Vista Codec Package Homepage

**tanuj_chadha** · 06-06-2008

Thanks for such a nice post. It really helps.

**dmex** · 06-14-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by tanuj_chadha

Thanks for such a nice post. It really helps.

Thanks Tanuj

**dmex** · 06-16-2008

Updated to 4.7.0 - Thanks to Johngalt

----Changelog----
x32 Codecs
- fix ffdshow.ax failed to register in v469
- offer QuickTime Lite for VCP separately
x64 Codecs
- update ffdshow
- minor revisions and updates
- fix audio in MKV containers

**sidney1st** · 06-16-2008

Thanks Steven, great post!

**Jeet Chowdhury** · 07-03-2008

Which Version I Use x64 or x86.

I Have Vista x64 SP1....

**dmex** · 07-03-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by Jeet Chowdhury

Which Version I Use x64 or x86.

I Have Vista x64 SP1....

Hi Jeet,

Vista x64 uses the 32bit Media Player by default so everyone needs the 32bit version regardless, If you want to use the 64bit Media Player just install both 32bit and 64bit packages then you can use the start-menu links to switch the default Media Player from 32bit to 64bit

Steven

**corzair** · 07-06-2008

thankyou was getting confused, but i installed both on my x64 vista home premium

works very well so thanks again

**Benergy** · 07-06-2008

I most of the time use the x64 media player.
Seems to me that its still impossible to play FLAC files on it.
Or am I mistaken?

05-11-2008	#1 (permalink)
dmex Windows Vista™ Ultimate 2,631 posts	Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs With these packages installed you won't need to install any other codecs. When dealing with codecs, more does not equal better. Having the least amount on your system is the best configuration. This is exactly what the Vista Codec Package does for you. You will no longer be restricted to using a specific player on 32bit or 64bit. Vista MediaPlayer and MediaCenter will be able to play all your files. Updated: 1st-November-2008 Vista 32bit MediaPlayer & MediaCenter Codecs: (everyone needs this version) http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5326 Vista 64bit MediaPlayer & MediaCenter Codecs: (64bit users only, after installing the above) http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5535 64bit NOTE: Vista Ultimate 64bit uses the 32bit player as the system default. The X64 Components include icons to allow you to change the system's default player between the 32bit and 64bit Windows Media Player(s). One other aspect of Vista x64 Windows Media Player(s) needs to be mentioned. If you associate a particular filetype to open with WMP while the system default is set to use the 64bit player, that filetype will always open the 64bit player when doubleclicked. This occurs even if you change the system default back to using the 32bit player. Vista Codec Pack Tools & Extras Quicktime Lite for Vista Codec Pack \|MG\| QuickTime Lite for VCP 1.1.2 Final The Vista Codec Package no longer includes any QuickTime components. VCP is fully capable of MOV and 3GP playback without any QuickTime software installed. This release of QuickTime Lite for VCP uses the original MSI installer from Apple to install a 'lite' version of QuickTime which will provide full browser support for viewing and downloading QuickTime files. Media Player Classic Home Cinema Player http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/ Media Player Classic is an extremely light-weight media player for Windows. It looks just like the good-old Media Player v6.4, but has lots of nice extra features. MPC has, for instance, a built in DVD player with real-time zoom, support for AVI subtitles, QuickTime and RealVideo support and lots more. (keys 2,4,6,8 for Video Zoom) Definitely a great replacement for the huge and clumsy Microsoft Media Players. GSpot Codec Identifier GSpot Download GSpot is a codec identification utility - identifies which video and audio codec compression method is used on any file, whether the matching codec is installed, and more. Last edited by dmex; 11-30-2008 at 10:56 PM..
My System Specs

05-11-2008	#2 (permalink)
dmex Windows Vista™ Ultimate 2,631 posts	Re: Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs Audio output and Speaker setup (Vista) For DVD settings and audio such as AC3 Dolby Digital 5.1 surround Open the AC3filter configuration shortcut, in the upper left you will see, Output format - the default setting is : AS IS (no change) ..... you may set it as you wish. All other audio playback Open the Audio decoder configuration shortcut, scroll the left window down to 'Mixer', place a check in the 'Mixer' box, and in the right-hand window select you speaker setup in the drop down list Then check the box for LFE if you have a subwoofer attached. To use SPDIF output Go into Vista's Control Panel and navigate Sound/SPDIF/Properties/Advanced/Exclusive Mode (depending on your sound device, the above path may be a bit different but similar) Then CHECK the box [x] for the following 2 items 'allow applications to take exclusive control of this device' 'give exclusive mode applications priority' If you are experiencing choppy or stuttering sound Go into Vista's Control Panel and open the Sound applet Select your output device in the list that appears NOTE: the default output device is commonly labeled Speakers Right click on the device and from the context menu click Properties. Click on the Enhancements TAB. Then CHECK the box [x] for Disable all enhancements. NOTES on certain types of playback If Windows fails to playback DVD's install Media Player Classic. Some AVI files will require you to use the shortcuts provided in the settings folder. Some MOV, MPG, MPEG, MKV, TS, or M2TS files will require you to use the shortcuts.Look in the settings folder. To playback ASF files in Media Player or Media Center change the file extension to ASX. To playback VOB files in Media Player or Media Center change the file extension to MPG. When using the above shortcuts, the installation default is always marked for easy return. Thanks to Shark007 for making the Vista Codec Pack available for everyone. Vista Codec Package Homepage Last edited by dmex; 10-31-2008 at 03:48 PM..
My System Specs

06-06-2008	#3 (permalink)
tanuj_chadha Vista 32bit SP1 274 posts	Re: Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs Thanks for such a nice post. It really helps.
My System Specs

06-14-2008	#4 (permalink)
dmex Windows Vista™ Ultimate 2,631 posts	Re: Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs Quote: Originally Posted by tanuj_chadha Thanks for such a nice post. It really helps. Thanks Tanuj
My System Specs

06-16-2008	#5 (permalink)
dmex Windows Vista™ Ultimate 2,631 posts	Re: Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs Updated to 4.7.0 - Thanks to Johngalt ----Changelog---- x32 Codecs - fix ffdshow.ax failed to register in v469 - offer QuickTime Lite for VCP separately x64 Codecs - update ffdshow - minor revisions and updates - fix audio in MKV containers
My System Specs

06-16-2008	#6 (permalink)
sidney1st Ultimate SP1 x64 & x86 971 posts	Re: Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs Thanks Steven, great post!
My System Specs

07-03-2008	#7 (permalink)
Jeet Chowdhury Microsoft Windows Vista x64 SP1 63 posts	Re: Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs Which Version I Use x64 or x86. I Have Vista x64 SP1....
My System Specs

07-03-2008	#8 (permalink)
dmex Windows Vista™ Ultimate 2,631 posts	Re: Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs Quote: Originally Posted by Jeet Chowdhury Which Version I Use x64 or x86. I Have Vista x64 SP1.... Hi Jeet, Vista x64 uses the 32bit Media Player by default so everyone needs the 32bit version regardless, If you want to use the 64bit Media Player just install both 32bit and 64bit packages then you can use the start-menu links to switch the default Media Player from 32bit to 64bit Steven
My System Specs

07-06-2008	#9 (permalink)
corzair Vista Home Premium x64 6 posts	Re: Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs thankyou was getting confused, but i installed both on my x64 vista home premium works very well so thanks again
My System Specs

07-06-2008	#10 (permalink)
Benergy Vista Ultimate x64 10 posts	Re: Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs I most of the time use the x64 media player. Seems to me that its still impossible to play FLAC files on it. Or am I mistaken?
My System Specs

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