DON'T!!! get the shark codec pack, It installs a toolbar and a sign-in assistant without you knowing (as of v3.1.9) and its a nuisance to uninstall, If you want to play flv, mkv, flac etc install k-lite mega codec pack v7.9.0, its absolutely brilliant. But if you just want to play avi, wmv, mp4 etc dont install any codec pack.
Stephen
I agree with sjac89. I used Shark codec in our school. Made the mistake of trying to upgrade it via an MSI and it stuffed everything up. There is no option for a silent install. Take a long time to walk around 250 machines and manually uninstall Shark and install KLite.
What about SAF?
Was developed for HTPC, but it can work as standalone player too.
More info here: SAF v6.00 (based on LAVF) - MediaPortal Forum
Download here: HOBRing - SAF download
Easy to install, no need to configure anything.
I can personally say after trying Shark007 for 2 weeks that I hate it, it has caused more problems than anything. It stopped playing .mpg files after 2 days, when I encode stuff using any program it inverts the video and the thumbnails, my computer seemed generally slower during media afterwards sometimes crashing programs but the worse thing is after uninstalling it I can no longer change file associations in "Default Programs" under start menu, for Windows Media Player, it is gone, so to get my Apple Quicktime trailers to play in quicktime i had to re-install quicktime same goes with my Zune software.
The Shark007 codecs are installed at a minimum, 100,000 times weekly. For the majority of these people, it is the perfect solution. The fact that your playback avenues are previously broken and you installed my software with the dream it would fix them is beyond my control and I can accept the 0.01% failure rate. Quite often, these same people will seek assistance on my Forum, and for most, I am able to solve their issues with their already broken systems and get them working again.
Last edited by Shark007; 10 Nov 2011 at 11:58. Reason: editted to add info
I have used Sharks for years, never had problems or a toolbar. It is the best!
I am not trying to get rich and therefore do install a toolbar to USA citizens only, instead of to all users. Aprox. 4 in 100 users, get a toolbar. On that statement, I also offer these same people a way to block toolbar installations using registry keys provided on my forum. I can live with the odd cry baby being unhappy that he got something else for free, while installing a free software that he had no intention of supporting anyway. The other 96% of the plannet can just smile.
Last edited by Shark007; 12 Nov 2011 at 14:47.
The only codec pack i use which seems to be pretty complete is the Combined Community Codec Pack (CCCP). It seems to be quite complete and does everything i need with regards to playing videos and stuff.
I used to use the Shark codec pack but it has quickly fallen behind others out there (K-lite, CCCP to name a couple) and the added toolbar is just an invitation for malware and other crap you don't need.
Avoid it like the plague. Especially when the "developer" calls people a crybaby for voicing legit complaints. I even have supported shark in the past but no longer.
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