With this package installed you won't need to install any other codecs.


Welcome to the Vista Codec Package Homepage

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.

Windows MediaPlayer and Vista MediaCenter will be able to play all your files.


   This page is updated often with new information, Tools, and BETA releases. Visit regularly and stay informed.




Troubleshooting installation problems
Installation errors caused by User Account Control are no longer an issue. Use installer version 4.6.8 or greater.

If needed, right-click on the downloaded installer and choose, Run as administrator.

If you are unable to download the installer, research User Account Control.







When installing VCP you must choose the language that matches your operating system.
To solve the issue, re-install the same version that's on your system with the correct language.


If you . . .

- use PowerDVD and have AVI playback issues, run the command below to disable a codec installed by that program.
  copy/paste the appropriate command below into a command prompt window initiated using 'run as administrator'
       on 32bit machines,  regsvr32.exe /u /s "%programfiles%\CyberLink\PowerDVD\VideoFilter\DXdec.ax"
       on 64bit machines,  regsvr32.exe /u /s "%programfiles(x86)%\CyberLink\PowerDVD\VideoFilter\DXdec.ax"

- have COM_Surrogate errors, upgrade any DivX products you have with a current release. Upgrade Nero to 8.x

- installed XviD, Haali or FFDshow on your own other than the versions included in this package may cause issues.

- have problems with the functionality one specific program, try installing it AFTER the codec package to resolve it.



 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'

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

DVD error <---- commonly seen DVD playback error message.
If Windows fails to playback DVD's install Media Player Classic from the Tools section below to play DVD's. You may also choose to install the Cyberlink mpeg2 codec separately but this is not recommended on Vista Ultimate/Premium.

Some AVI files (incomplete files) may require you to use the shortcuts provided. Look in the AVI settings folder.

Some MPG, MPEG, TS, or M2TS files may require you to use the shortcuts provided. Look in the MPEG settings folder.

Some MOV files (from camera's) may require you to use the shortcuts provided.  Look in the MOV settings folder.

Some older MKV files may require you to use the shortcuts provided. Look in the MKV settings folder.

Some older MP4 files may require you to use the shortcuts provided. Look in the MP4 settings folder.

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


To playback ASF files in Vista's Media Player 11 or Media Center change the file extension to ASX.

To playback VOB files in Vista's Media Player 11 or Media Center change the file extension to MPG.

If you require further assistance, visit the forums at    "Where People Go To Know"
corporate users:  commandline installation information is available on the above forum.




 To contact me directly use the button to reveal an email address that I monitor regularly.



 Here is a Microsoft document about video THUMBNAIL views in Vista. (excellent description)






If you have a suggestion of improvement, I'm listening.

Many user suggested settings are implemented as defaults.

Codecs have been a problem for most users at one time or another.

This is because there has never been an 'out of the box' working solution that the average computer user could install and just have everything work properly from the beginning. There are several decent codec package solutions out there, but none of them did everything I wanted. I was always in need of a tweak, adjustment, or even a re-installation just to get the codecs I needed/wanted and most of the time, the file still didn't play properly. I've never claimed to be a media guru. My media experience prior to creating these packages was to doubleclick a file I downloaded and hope that it played. So with the help of the MSFN community, I decided to package up the bare minimum of codecs required by most computer users and share them with the rest of the world.

The installer will automatically remove most other popular codec releases from your computer before installing this concise yet comprehensive package. You won't need to make any adjustments or tweaks to enjoy your media content immediately. Windows Media Player and Vista's Media Center will instantly recognize all your files as playable.

It does not contain a media player and it does not associate filetypes. With this package installed you will be able to use any media player, limited only by the players' capabilities, to play all movies and video clips. Streaming video is supported in several formats in all popular web browsers. Users of VCP have the ability to choose what is installed and where to install it using the public redistributable. After installation you can select to remove specific portions without removing the entire package. You can also re-add the removed items at any time.


             

This package supports 18 localizations. The default is English and the installer includes support for the following other languages; Chinese Simplified/Traditional, Japanese, Czech, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Polish, Swedish and Turkish. Languages can be added upon request.



You may DOWNLOAD version 4.7.0 from

I recommend that you  UNINSTALL YOUR OLD VERSION  but this is not required.

distribution file information:
MajorGeeks receives the distribution file directly from me. It is currently 17.4 MB
and has an MD5 of a07e924c834c699e6077666dc37bca5d

Recent package changes include but were not limited to:

- fix ffdshow.ax failed to register in v469


- offer QuickTime Lite for VCP separately


click here for a FULL changelog/description, and codec listing in TXT format







  ...  Vista Codec x64 Components

This release is designed for Vista (x64 only)


Some Useful Information
2 versions of Windows Media Player exist in x64 Vista.
There is a 32bit version in %ProgramFiles(x86)%
and a 64bit version in %ProgramFiles%

Vista Ultimate x64 uses the 32bit player as the system default. The installed components of this release include
icons to allow you to change the system's default player between the 32bit and 64bit Windows Media Player(s).

Observation noted
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.




The Vista Codec Package is the only supported 32bit package to use in conjunction with this installation.
You will experience reduced functionality using other packages.


 You may DOWNLOAD version 1.4.9 from   

I recommend that you  UNINSTALL YOUR OLD VERSION  but this is not required.

You can expect ongoing x64 support as the rest of the world catches up to 64bit computing.

distribution file information:
MajorGeeks receives the distribution file directly from me. It is currently 5.17 MB
and has an MD5 of 488216264eec16b2410518d278a357a1

Recent changes included but were not limited to:
- update ffdshow tryouts rev 2004
- minor revisions and updates
- fix audio in MKV containers

FLV playback is fully supported in all players


To assist in further development of this FREE software, please







...  QuickTime Lite for VCP


This installation will provide full browser support for viewing and downloading files in the QuickTime format.

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. It installs a single shortcut to the VistaCodecs\32Bit Tools directory. It does not install the Player, Image Viewer or Java components which are part of a full QuickTime installation.

changelog:
- update quicktime to version 7.5
- NEVER UPGRADE, remove before install

*** A CLEAN INSTALL IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN FILE ASSOCIATIONS ***




You may DOWNLOAD version 1.1.2 from












  ...  Vista Codec Tools


The following tools were suggested by users to include in the VCP distribution.

I decided to make them into separate standalone installations. Suggestions of additional tools to consider are welcomed. These tools have shortcuts added to the 'Common Tools' folder under 'VistaCodecs' on the Startmenu.

These releases install to the VistaCodecPack applicable subdirectories. Each installation is un-installable using the Windows Interface. If you are installing a newer version of any tool offered here, UNINSTALL the old version 1st. I have not implemented release version #'s on the tools (yet), so rely on the date posted as a version indicator.


Media Player Classic v6.4.9.1 rev 55 - file information: 2.01 MB - Last Updated June 13th, 2008 (for general use)
MPC HomeCinema x86 and x64 versions are available, with or without an installer. (updated constantly)
When using the HomeCinema version from above, take notice that most of the internal codecs are being used.


Gspot Information Appliance - file information: 653 KB - Last Updated May 30th, 2007
Gspot establishes what codecs are required to play most media files.
It also determines whether or not these codecs are installed on your system. (not for 64bit)


DirectShow GraphEditor v10.0.80.116 - file information: 662 KB - Last Updated June 8th, 2008
This is Microsoft's DirectShow GraphEdit Tool specifically designed with DirectX 10 support. This version also fully recognizes ffdshow. You can drag n drop any media file (audio or video) onto this tool and it will give you a visual output of the splitters and codecs being used by your computer to play the file. The media file can also be played within the tool. It will also tell you when the codecs required to playback the file are not present on your system. This installation places a shortcut on the desktop to make it easy to drag'n'drop media files onto the shortcut.


DirectShow GraphEditor v10.0.80.116 for x64 filters/codecs only - file information: 718 KB - Last Updated June 8th, 2008
Same as the tool above except that this one is specifically designed for x64. An x64 OS is required for this installation.


Vista MediaCenter MPEG2 decoder selection (execute and use) - file information: 60 KB - Last Updated April 28th, 2007
This is specifically for Vista MediaCenter which will let you choose which MPEG2 Audio/Video decoders MediaCenter will use. This utility will show you the current default decoders in use and let you select alternatives to use from a list of installed codecs on your system.


Video Decoder Checkup Utility (execute and use) - file information: 73.5 KB - Last Updated April 28th, 2007
The Video Decoder Checkup Utility will set the "MediaCenter Compatibility" flag of a codec to true when you use this tool to set a codec as the system default codec. Doing this will allow the tool in the post above to see a codec as Vista MediaCenter compatible when normally this isn't set by default. (not for 64bit)


TweakUAC (execute and use) - file information: 84.3 KB - Last Updated June 22nd, 2007
With this tool that you can quickly turn User Account Control (UAC) of Windows Vista on and off.


RealMedia Settings - file information: 625 KB - Last Updated September 6th, 2007
This tool allows you to adjust several settings concerning RealMedia content.


General Tools - file information: 712 KB - Last Updated May 30th, 2007
This release contains the following software's:
- Nic's FourCC Changer
- DirectShow Filter Enumerator
- DirectShow Filter Manager
- Nic's Mini Calc
- Nirsoft's MMCompView
- OGM Calculator
- Stats Reader
- Vidc. Cleaner
- LameDrop
- OggDrop
- VobSubStrip


MediaInfo supplies technical and tag information about a video or audio file. It provides general information for multimedia files like: title, author, director, album, track number, date, duration, etc. It also provides more specific information for video files such as: codec, sample rate, channels, language, bitrate and more.


MediaCoder is a universal audio/video batch transcoder distributed under GPL license, which puts together lots of excellent audio/video codecs and tools from the open source community into an all-in-one solution, capable of transcoding among different audio/video formats.


MeGUI is the most comprehensive GUI based ISO MPEG-4 solution. It supports MPEG-4 ASP (XviD & libavcodec MPEG-4) using mencoder, MPEG-4 AVC (x264) using x264.exe or mencoder, (HE)AAC audio using BeSweet & Nero AAC encoder and MP4 muxing using mp4box.


Crap Cleaner is a freeware PC optimization tool. It combines a system cleaner that removes unused and temporary files from your system and also a fully featured registry cleaner! When using this tool, select 'Registry', choose to backup the changes to a registry file, and let it cleanup anything it finds. I have never had the need to restore any changes this tool has performed.




  ...  Vista Codec Development Builds



The purpose of these development builds is to stay progressive.

To the best of my knowledge, these builds are stable. I test them before I post them.
You can Email me using the address in the donate button with any ongoing issues you may have.

Thank you for your suggestions, comments and ideas.


Current Development Builds:

Vista Codec Package 4.7.1 BETA 1 ... available exclusively @  
changelog:
update 10 of gabests splitters/codecs
update ffdshow 2020



x64 Components 1.5.0 BETA 1 ... available exclusively @  
changelog:
update 9 of gabests splitters/codecs
update ffdshow 2020






  ...  Vista Codec Donation Tracking

No amount is to small. It's a show of appreciation and an incentive to continued development.


I hope the Vista Codec releases continue to meet your needs on a daily basis.

Donation History: I have received donations from the following,

- Luc residing in France
- Juan residing in Florida, USA
* Phillip residing in Texas, USA
- Dale residing in Michigan, USA
- Rudolf residing in Denmark
* Stephen residing in Michigan, USA
- Christopher from an undisclosed location
- C4th Solutions operating in Essex, UK
- Peter residing in Surrey, UK
- John from an undisclosed location
- Kota residing in Japan
- Michael residing in California, USA
* Stuart residing in New Mexico, USA
- Fernando residing in Spain
* Brandon residing in New York, USA
- Jon from an undisclosed location
* Karl from an undisclosed location
* Jeffrey from an undisclosed location
- Edwin residing in Switzerland
* Arthur from an undisclosed location
- Jacob from an undisclosed location
* BiG eFrame operating in Tennessee, USA
* Andrew residing in London, UK
- Erica residing in New Jersey, USA
- Junique residing in France
- Pawel residing in Poland
- Alan residing in the UK
- Iris residing in Germany
- Eckhard residing in Germany
* Eric residing in California, USA
- Christopher residing in Massachusetts, USA
- Edward residing in Texas, USA
- Jason residing in Wiltshire, UK
- Marwan residing in Cork, Ireland
* Doug residing in Queensland, Australia
- bink.nu operating from Amsterdam, Netherlands
* Nedco residing in Somerset, UK
- Luis residing in Texas, USA
*** MajorGeeks (Jim) residing in New York, USA
* Phillip residing in West Midlands, UK
- Janine residing in Deinigen, Germany
- Lenard residing in Queensland, Australia
- Hasan residing in Gloucestershire, UK
- Gerry residing in New Jersey, USA
- Reinhard residing in Vienna, Austria
- Quiya residing in Alabama, USA
- Adam residing in Tyne and Wear, UK
- Cain residing in London, UK
- Nicholas residing in Illinois, USA
- Hunter residing in Florida, USA
- Guenther residing in Nidderau, Germany
- Christian residing in Texas, USA
- Mark residing in Angus, UK
- Philipp residing in Dublin, Ireland
- Kristof residing in Budapest, Hungary
- Frederic residing in Surrey, UK
- Jonny residing in Oslo, Norway
- Jon residing in California, USA
- Travis residing in Michigan, USA
* Alican residing in Istanbul, Turkey
* Ray residing in Yangebup, Western Australia
* Christian residing in Texas, USA
- Laxman residing in New York, USA
- Flavio residing in Nuoro, Italy
- Mary residing in Indiana, USA
- Alastair residing in Aberdeen City, UK
- Volker residing in Berlin, Germany
- Tracey residing in New York, USA
- Mick residing in Alberta, Canada
* Nate residing in  California, USA
- Tomás residing in Lugo, Spain
- Etienne residing in Quebec, Canada
* Kalervo residing in Espoo, Finland
- Morgan residing in Lancashire, UK
- Daniel residing in Ontario, Canada
- Maria residing in West Lothian, UK
* James residing in Pennsylvania, USA
- Robert residing in London, UK
- Kai residing in Bremen, Germany
- Marwan residing in Cork, Ireland
* Cyrille residing in Quebec, Canada
* Stefan residing in British Columbia, Canada
* Russ residing in Dorset, UK
* Troy residing in California, USA
- Bonard residing in Chelles, France
* Fritz residing in Texas, USA
- Helen residing in Merseyside, UK
* Samuel residing in California, USA
- Kathleen residing in New Jersey, USA
- Lawrence residing in Virginia, USA
- Peter residing in Gandrup, Denmark
* Christian residing in Stainz, Austria
* David residing in Livorno, Italy
- Shannon residing in Washington, USA
- Fabien residing in Cayenne, France
- Mikhail residing in Pavlodarskaya, Kazakhstan
- Justo Ricardo residing in Valladolid, Spain
* Ronald residing in Florida, USA
* Randy residing in Oregon, USA
* Simon residing in Singapore, Singapore
** Jacques residing in Odense C, Denmark
- Kasper residing in Århus C, Denmark
- Rémy residing in Marseille, France
* Hans residing in Washington, USA
- JD residing in Wiltshire, UK
- Michael residing in Washington, USA
- Ales residing in Fabregues, France
* Robert residing in New Jersey, USA
- Kenneth residing in AE, USA
- Franck residing in Melun, France
* Steven residing in Hampshire, UK
- Petr residing in Praha 4, Czech Republic
- Aaron residing in KS, USA
- Pascual residing in Albacete, Spain
* Ray residing in Western Australia, Australia
- jousuck residing in Paris, France
* Robert residing in Colorado, USA
* Phil residing in Florida, USA
* Wandell residing in Indiana, USA
- Ryan residing in Pennsylvania, USA
- Edward residing in Nottinghamshire, UK
- Roumen residing in British Columbia, Canada
- Tim residing in London, UK
- Bogdan residing in SI-1000, Slovenia
- Carrol residing in Massachusetts, USA
- James residing in Louisiana, USA
* Penny residing in Tasmania, Australia
- Piotr residing in London, UK
* Guy residing in Quebec, Canada
- Patsy residing in New Jersey, USA
- Christy residing in Virginia, USA
- Gaston residing in Texas, USA
- Filippo residing in Lecco, Italy
* Andrew residing in the UK
- Leonard residing in Massachusetts, USA
- Ionut residing in Bucharest, Romania
- Emilie residing in London, UK
- Brian residing in New York, USA
* Vincent residing in St Etienne du Vauvray. France
- Oliver residing in Reutlingen, Germany
- Thomas residing in Dingolfing, Germany
- p-visser residing in Pennsylvania, USA
- Elodie residing in Felleries, France
- William residing in Virginia, USA
- Shane residing in Waikato, New Zealand
- Andreas residing in Bonn, Germany
** Lottery Results Gadget for Windows Vista (Todd) from New Jersey, USA
- Yijin residing in New York, USA
- Charles residing in California, USA
* Steve residing in Minnesota, USA
- Bouaziz residing in Maison Laffitte, France
* Luca residing in Verona, Italy
* David residing in Florida, USA
- Samuel residing in California, USA
- Giovanni residing in Roquebrune-cap Martin, France
* Geoffrey residing in Bristol, Avon, UK
** Goran residing in Watsonia Victoria, Australia
- TechNL residing in Newfoundland, Canada
- Oleg residing in Ukhta, Russia
- Sebastien residing in Joigny, France
- Thierry residing in Boo-silhen, France
- Terry residing in Britsh Columbia, Canada
* Fritz residing in Texas, USA
- David residing in Gelsenkirchen, Germany
- Howard residing in Illinois, USA
- Karl residing in New York, USA
- Marco residing in Ontario, Canada
- Christoph residing in Baunatal, Germany
- Keith residing in Ohio, USA
* The First Pick (Mate) operating from Croatia
- antonio residing in Sollies Pont, France
* Cristopher residing Florida, USA
- Francisco residing in Madrid, Spain



donations legend
-    = received with my greatest appreciation
*   = significant donations (more than $10)
** = $100 or more
*** = continuous


Thank you for the assistance.



Does your company use the Vista Codec Package?

Make a donation and have your company's website linked here.



I put a lot of time and effort into creating and maintaining these releases.


To assist in further development of this FREE software, please





Visitors to date : -This website is made possible by MajorGeeks.com

All trademarks mentioned on this page are the property of their respective owners.