Playback Solutions

[Hikaru]

In this page I want to concentrate all of the good playback solutions to help people with viewing all sorts of formats.
Each solution should point out the pluses and negatives of each solution, as well as collisions with other solutions.
We can also add known good media players and all related information, and also the definition to playback.

codec: codec means COde / DECode, and it acts like a dictionary for a media format. The computer uses it to read the media, and displays it properly. Without codecs, the computer wouldn't be able to play any media.
I am open to suggestions about a better definition to codecs.

Most of these solutions are codec packs, which means that they add codecs to your computer codec pool. Then, any time you want to play a certain video, the media player that you use sends a request to the system, which goes to the pool and returns the codec for that media. It's like a big open library of codecs, that all programs can use.

• VLC (media player)
  VLC Media Player is a very nice media player, with the advantage of having all the codecs needed built in - it doesn't need nor use any external codecs.
  It's the default solution where all other fails, and it should play most formats. It's not the most beautiful player, but once you get pass the look, it's nice.
  It can also handle streaming and can act as a streamer, though I haven't tried it.
  
  Pros: Should play just about all formats smoothly (at least if you just watch them without doing rewinding or fast forwarding) even while your computer codecs are crushed an malfunctioning.
  Cons: There's usually a lag between actions and their effects, like it takes some time for it to stop playing, and it's overall buggy. Also, the codecs that are built in are not always the newest and best, so it might not playback the best way, ex: certain glitches when trying to move to another part of the video.
  
  (couldn't find an image of the visual glitches I saw in ogm formats. please post if you can)
  Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VLC_media_player
  
• Mplayer (media player)
  MPlayer is a media player that has its codecs built in, much like VLC. It is open source, however, it is supirior to VLC in terms of reaction speed and codecs. The player is meant to be used from a command line, Though it does have a (separated) graphical interface, it can easily be used by dragging media files and dropping them on MPlayer. Also, once the media is playing, it is possible to use the keyboard to control the player, like for example pressing 'f' will change to full screen etc.
  
  MPlayer, with a graphical interface.
  
  The command line as MPlayer processes media.
  
  MPlayer with gui can be downloaded at PortableApps.com, however, the player by itself is pretty portable, and the installation is rather pointless, but I believe it is only in order to create a self extracting package and to sign the agreement terms. It is possible to use only the MPlayer folder and get rid of the rest of the files and folders.
  
  Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mplayer
  
• The Combined Community Codec Pack (The CCCP) (Codec Pack)
  The CCCP is a codec pack that is said to be assembled by a team of of people, from various anime subbing groups, who have knowledge and experience in playbacks.
  It's purpose is to:
  
  • Play most common media. This does not include QuickTime Media or Real Media, but it should play most animes, as it is designed for it. A full list of formats can be found at the Wikipedia page or the CCCP wiki page.
  • Use a minimal number of codecs, and test them well so no collision\problems will occur, as much as possible.
  • Make the pack so that it will be easy to install and uninstall completely, even for normal users that don't know computers too well. This is because that there are several playback solutions that don't uninstall properly and cause damage that is difficult to undo.
  *to be continued*
  List of players that work with the CCCP according to their Wiki: http://www.cccp-project.net/wiki/index.php?title=Media_Players
  
  Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_Community_Codec_Pack
  
• QuickTime Alternative & Real Alternative (codec packs)
  These two codecs packs are made with the purpose of, well, giving an alternative to the otherwise annoying QuickTime and Real media.
  Advantages of these packs over the original packs:
  - Quick and easy install.
  - Smaller installer size.
  - Proper uninstallation.
  - Low on resources.
  - No background processes.
  - Use a player of your own choice.
  - No advertising, no registration forms, nothing annoying.
  - No bundled programs.
  
  The packs also comes with a plugin for web browsers, and Media Player Classic.
  
  - An important point at QuickTime Alternative:
  QuickTime Alternative comes with the optional CoreAVC (used to play h.264) and CoreAAC (used to play AAC) . The latest QuickTime Alternative has CoreAVC 1.3, though it is doubtful that any newer version will come out. Rather than using these, using other codecs such as in the CCCP may be a better idea.
  - Copyrights:
  The sad truth is that by installing these, you go against the law as QuickTime and Real are private companies.
  
  *Due to some error at Wikipedia, I cannot reach it and therefor cannot add a Wikipedia link*
  
• CoreAVC
  CoreAVC is a non free codec for H.264, but very fast, very good one, with known certain small glitches on certain media.
  It is at least 30% faster than the one in libavcodec (that is used in the CCCP). Might help for slower computers.
  *to be continued*
  

*to be continued....*

[Captn' Red]

23:42…    Notrikon: there's something wrong with [size] [/size] and URL links
23:43…    Notrikon: also with
23:43…    Notrikon: check that out some time...

No you just fail Uri.


Great thread btw, good boy. *gives cookie to Uri*

[Hikaru]

cookie!!

*snatch*
mine! ☺

no seriously, BBcode doesn't work on text with links. try it.
and of course, you can all contribute to this thread, and additions would be integrated into the main post.

[mad_munky838]

In my experience, Media Player Classic (~3mb, there is even a version that doesn't require installation)+CCCP plays anything you throw at it.

[Hikaru]

yes well it's coming up.
The main post is just for playback solutions, other posts may contain additional information.

and also, if you make edits to the main post then please at least note what you edit...

[Captn' Red]

What i edited was a " inside your [url] tag that messed the whole thing up.

You were bitching on irc about the code not working so i fixed it.
That's what my "YOU FAIL" post was implying.

[Hikaru]

hey it's fixed!
thanks


I should really expend this...
and can someone write about Klite?

[Silverwolf X]

I use Klite.

Its technically the same as cccp, but the codecs by default are more basic and have a higher compatibility then cccp's set. Its also less resource intensive.

It HOWEVER still has slowdown problems on videos with insane lare resolutions like 1600-1980+++.

Klite is also updated on a more regular basis.

[Hikaru]

well then please, write an entry for Klite, and I or a mod will add it to the first post.

[Hikaru]

well, I hear some bad thing about K-lite:
- it has just about every single codec out there, most of them are random codecs from obscure unknown companies that don't even work well.
- it doesn't set any priorities to the codecs.
- it doesn't quite uninstall well, and it leaves a lot of junk behind. With some manual labor you can undo it.

also, I have noticed that K-lite full is about 13mg, while the CCCP is 6mb.