Best Codec Pack for Windows 7

[sjac89]

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

 

[devlin7]

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.

 

[hoborg]

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.

 

[jonny4]

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.

 

[Shark007]

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.

 

[Dude]

I have used Sharks for years, never had problems or a toolbar. It is the best!

 

[noobvious]

I have used Sharks for years, never had problems or a toolbar. It is the best!

Same here, I have it on both of my computers and there is no toolbar.....and whatever I try to play, will play.

 

[Shark007]

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.

 

[So Solid Jedi]

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.

 

[nusse]

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.

 

[Shark007]

As long as you're OK with using the bundled MPC-Homcinema player of these other codecpacks, I agree, they work. If you want to use the builtin players that come with Windows, such as Media Center, the other codecpacks fail miserably.

A crybaby is a person unable to help themselves even when a non-technical solution is presented. I provide a very simple solution to deal with the toolbar installation that affects only 4% of the Shark007 users. Go to my forum (there is no need to register), and in the General section there are 2 sticky threads each containing the regfiles that will permanently block the toolbar installations. I cannot make it any easier. But if all you want to do is whine and complain that my FREE software installed a toolbar onto your system and you are unable to seek a proper solution even when it is presented to you in plain english, you possibly fall into the crybaby category also.

In the end, I am a software developer, not a politician.
I am not looking for your vote, simply offering you a solution to your playback problems.
The fact that I try to earn a living from what I do, is the reason 4% of users get a toolbar.

 

[sogone209]

sharks codec sucks. the end. install only codecs you need and a whole bunch. its much easier that way and doesnt slow down your computer. the less codecs the better.

 

[noobvious]

sharks codec sucks. the end. install only codecs you need and a whole bunch. its much easier that way and doesnt slow down your computer. the less codecs the better.

You're wrong.

 

[Snowdog]

I have to wonder why people suggesting avoiding Codec packs are getting banned.

Does Shark who seems to be advertising his Codec pack here have an arrangement with management?

Personally, I also happen to thinks avoiding Codec packs is a good idea. Win7 has the majority of codecs built-in, and they appear to be of superior quality. All I added was Haali Media splitter to parse the MKV package and WMP plays the majority of things just fine.

I prefer to use MPC-HC/VLC for the really obscure stuff rather than pollute my system with codec packs. Thankfully this isn't WinXP days when we had to rely on such things.

I think no codec pack is the best codec pack.

Now will I be the next one banned for having an opinion on this?

 

[Shark007]

I have to wonder why people suggesting avoiding Codec packs are getting banned.

Does Shark who seems to be advertising his Codec pack here have an arrangement with management?

I think no codec pack is the best codec pack.

Now will I be the next one banned for having an opinion on this?

I like math and I like making assumptions based on math.
Since your theory of being banned is wrong, your codec theory is probably wrong also.

Does Shark who seems to be advertising his Codec pack here have an arrangement with management?

I support my software where ever I find a large amount of users.
This is definately one of those places. Sorry if that offends you.

As for an arrangement with management; I havent a clue who owns/operates this site.
I have no rapport nor personal connection what-so-ever to any of the moderators of this site.
Sorry to burst your bubble. Enjoy your stay.

 

[Snowdog]

I like math and I like making assumptions based on math.
Since your theory of being banned is wrong, your codec theory is probably wrong also.

That is some strange math there. I was just observing that quite a few people seemed to be banned in this thread and they we all mentioning that you don't need Codecs.

It isn't a theory, you don't need codecs with Win7 Except to potentially play something really obscure. All the mainline codecs are built into windows and they are high quality, and efficient.

All you really need is a splitter like Haali Media splitter to parse the .MKV package.

That is the only thing I have installed and every Movie/TV show I have plays perfectly in WMP on Win7.