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<blockquote data-quote="Falcon124" data-source="post: 221246" data-attributes="member: 63831">Tell me about it.&nbsp; On my first build of Windows XP with this HTPC, I tried to take a codec shortcut by downloading a few codec packs from freecodecs.com and a few other codec clearinghouses out on the 'net.&nbsp; And don't get me wrong, the folks who contribute to these sites for the most part, are doing a great service for newbies like me who don't really want to delve too deeply into the world of&nbsp; codecs,&nbsp; filters, splitters, demuxers....yadda yadda yadda.&nbsp; We just want to install some stuff, leave everything at the default settings and play every friggin' video and audio format under the sun.&nbsp; But like buying a car, you kinda need to know what you're looking for.&nbsp; I learned quickly that too many codec packs spoil not only the stew but each other.&nbsp; I create my own slipstreamed XP installations anyway, so in the end rather that try to unscrew the codec mess I created I just re-installed XP and only loaded the codecs I knew I'd want to use.&nbsp; So actually you might say I've been to codec hell and back.&nbsp; Of course it looks like Microsoft incorporates all kinds of codec overhead into an XP install after SP1A, SP2 and all the post-SP2 service packs have been slipstreamed into it.&nbsp; Not that I'm surprised.Andy</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Falcon124, post: 221246, member: 63831"] Tell me about it. On my first build of Windows XP with this HTPC, I tried to take a codec shortcut by downloading a few codec packs from freecodecs.com and a few other codec clearinghouses out on the 'net. And don't get me wrong, the folks who contribute to these sites for the most part, are doing a great service for newbies like me who don't really want to delve too deeply into the world of codecs, filters, splitters, demuxers....yadda yadda yadda. We just want to install some stuff, leave everything at the default settings and play every friggin' video and audio format under the sun. But like buying a car, you kinda need to know what you're looking for. I learned quickly that too many codec packs spoil not only the stew but each other. I create my own slipstreamed XP installations anyway, so in the end rather that try to unscrew the codec mess I created I just re-installed XP and only loaded the codecs I knew I'd want to use. So actually you might say I've been to codec hell and back. Of course it looks like Microsoft incorporates all kinds of codec overhead into an XP install after SP1A, SP2 and all the post-SP2 service packs have been slipstreamed into it. Not that I'm surprised. Andy [/QUOTE]

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