Windows 7 x64 and codecs (1 Viewer)

[Cthugha]

I'm absolutely new to MediaPortal but have a fairly good understanding about Windows 7 and computers in general. I've used XBMC on the original XBOX for a long time and would like to retain that UI or something similar (in Windows, with GPU acceleration).

On to my question... What will I have to do in Win7 x64 to get the most common formats to play in MP? I'd prefer to install as few other codecs/software as possible. Most formats are already working fine in Win7 out-of-the-box but they won't play in MP.

Maybe there's already a nice guide or forum post that explains this? (I haven't been able to find anything good so far)

Thanks in advance!

(installed so far: Windows 7 Ultimate x64 RTM, MediaPortal 1.1.0 BETA1, latest SteamedMP)

 

[Ticiano]

I really hated this "codec's part" in Win7... I love the system in my desktop, but it really suck with HTPCs...

But you can try this Shark007.net - Windows 7 Codecs

I think it's the best way to make things start to work with Win7... I don't like codec packs... I like to setup my system codec by codec... but with seven this task is just frustrating... MS offer this "out of box" decoding for the masses and, by the other side, just screwed the thing for advanced users...

 

[Cthugha]

Thanks for the reply!

In what way does it suck for HTPC's and advanced users? Is it harder to make it work in 7 than in XP/Vista?

Shark007's codec pack sounds ok. On my PC's I've used a few different codec packs but on a dedicated HTPC I'd like to have some more control over what gets installed etc.

I'll probably give Shark007's codec pack a try on my Win7 laptop but I'd really appreciate if someone can guide me to what is needed (minimum) to manually solve this.

Has anyone tried this solution from DivX Labs? DivX Tech Preview: MKV on Windows 7 | DivX Labs - Everywhere Communication Occurs Community Happens

 

[Ticiano]

CThuga, in some way I didn't understood for sure yet, Microsoft tryed a kind of "take over" in something related to DirectShow filters. It's harder to get everything working with Win7 than with any other version of windows.

In theory, it's just related to Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center. This apps will not use any other codec that you install if they have a original codec for that format. Now they have H264 codec by Microsoft, etc... so the things are suposed to work as it is, out of the box. (For mkv you just have do install a splitter).

So, in theory this changes were suposed to affect this two Microsoft original media softwares, but somehow I felt this "little change" made everything more complicated when it comes to setup a dedicated HTPC, even when you don't want to use the MS media solutions...

This is just my experience... I just tryed to setup my HTPC with Win7 and I quit and get the system back to Vista (even when I REALLY hate Vista)...

For my desktop I'm with Win7 and there's nothing better, but I'll wait till I overcome my trauma to give Win7 another try with HTPC.

Sorry for my bad english... here is the only place on Earth where I put it in pratice!

 

[Cthugha]

Thanks again for explaining your experience with 7. There's nothing wrong with your english skills as far as I'm concerned (it's not my native language either)

I have no problem using MS's codecs as long as they work ok. What I don't understand is why most formats work in Win 7 Media Player (with little or no extra software installed) but not in MediaPortal. MP is configured to use the MS codecs but still says it's unable to play the same files...

I wish the media player developers could have a recommended codec install guide for each OS. Maybe even provide their own codec packs.

Maybe I should just wait until MP 1.1.0 is finished and see if they can solve it

 

[Seeco]

Another very popular codec pack (which I'm using myself) is the SAF codec pack:

https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...iaportal-dxva-ready-mpeg2-h-264-vc-1-a-44614/

Before I have been a real purist running ffdshow with profiles for pretty much everything, but I'm glad that I tried SAF out because it's really user friendly. It's nice to get some hardware acceleration as well, my CPU is definitely challenged by some high bitrate encodes.

From what I recall I have read about a bunch of guys having great luck with Win 7 for HTPC use, that's why I'm considering making the switch myself. It'll be interesting to see what you come up with!

 

[Ticiano]

Seeco, I use SAF in my HTPC with Vista x86... I couldn't try SAF with Win7, so I'm really afraid to go back to Win7 and face some headaches... So, this time, instead of being the early adopter, I'll wait for you to try this and get back here saying "I'm in Win7 with SAF and everything is wonderfull by here"... so I'll consider moving to Win7 again.

 

[Seeco]

Hey, I know where you're coming from I've got a really good routine for reinstalling XP though. I feel that I can safely try out Win 7 and just make a clean XP install again if the new OS decides to turn on me. I'll let you know how it goes!

EDIT:
Looking now at the first post of the SAF thread I see that it says "for Mediaportal and GB-PVR (XP, Vista, Win 7)", I guess that says something.

 

[nestochi]

for me win7 is great, everything working out of the box with the win7 included codecs.
also installed SAF and its working fine.

best regards

 

[Nuke420]

Hi. I myself like to pick and choose what codecs I want to use. I found this little tool Tool for changing preferred DirectShow filters in Windows 7 - Doom9's Forum that lets you choose what directshow filters are used for windows 7 defaults. Hope it helps you.

-n4-