Despite the obvious advantage of counting with a multimedia tool like Windows Media Player integrated into our operating system, the scarce updates issued by Microsoft in the last few years have somehow rendered it obsolete in terms of codecs. Media Player Codec Pack offers you the simplest way of updating your PC to the latest HD and UHD video codecs and the most common lossy and lossless audio file types. By installing this extensive set of multimedia codecs, you will also be opening your PC to a large number of free media players and other multimedia tools that require a specific collection of codecs to work properly.
Typically, most users will execute Media Player Codec Pack only once. It works as a standard installer, allowing you to choose your preferred installation process (Easy or Detailed), which components you wish to install, and where. Once all the selected codecs and filters have been installed, the average user will forget about this package until a new version with new components and codecs comes out. More savvy users can open the Settings dialog provided to customize the newly installed video and audio codecs to the specific requirements of their PC and their personal preferences.
All the most common codec packages are included – LAV (both video and audio decoders), ffdshow DirectShow, XviD, x264, DivX, Haali Media Splitter (for MKV containers), Sony DSD, etc. These provide support for all the most common media file types, such as MKV, AVI, FLV, WebM, MP4, M4A, TS, DTS, AC3, FLAC, APE, Ogg, 3GP, and many others. All the most widely used SD, HD, and Ultra HD video codecs are on the list, as well as a large selection of compressed and uncompressed audio codecs. Shorten audio files (or SHN, a personal lossless audio favorite) is not part of the list, regrettably, though its decaying use makes its absence a minor drawback.
Finally, note that the program will install as part of its components (unless you tick it off the list) the latest release of Media Player Classic Home Cinema, an excellent media player with support for a wide range of codecs, offering you the possibility of watching even Blu-ray movies on your PC.
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