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 double-click 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 file-types. 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.
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.
x64 Components version 1.5.3
- add support for E-AC3 and Dolby TrueHD audio
- add support for AMR audio (full 3GP playback)
- add H264 DXVA support /shortcuts
- update ffdshow rev 2302
- update Gabest filters rev 866
- update installer icon/graphics/logo
- minor revisions (undocument)
Vista Codec Package version 5.0
5.0 highlights over 4.x versions:
- add several new configuration shortcuts
- add support for E-AC3 and Dolby TrueHD audio
- add speex audiobook playback support
- add Cyberlink MPEG2 codec for DVD playback
- add H264 DXVA support /shortcuts
- update ffdshow rev 2301
- update Gabest filters rev 866
- update installer icon/graphics/logo
- minor revisions (undocument)
- fix RealPlayer website access for all browsers
version 5.0.1 fixes an issue with registering the ogg codecs on some systems.
- offer QuickTime Lite for VCP separately
Changelog：http://shark007.xpdnc.org/description.txt
Homepage：http://shark007.net/
Vista Codec Package 5.0.1 Final：32bit
ftp://majorgeeks.mirror.internode.on.net/multimedia/VistaCodecs_v501.e...
http://download.betanews.com/download/1159994557-1/VistaCodecs_v501.ex...
Vista Codec x64 Components 1.5.3 Final：64bit
ftp://majorgeeks.mirror.internode.on.net/multimedia/x64Components_v153...
http://download.betanews.com/download/1159994557-2/x64Components_v153....
www.vista123.net, easily tweak and customize your Windows Vista.
