Wanted: File Manager That Shows Audio & Video Codecs

[br4]

I used to see the various audio and video codecs, as columns, in Windows Explorer, but I don't remember how I did it and its long gone; so I'm posting here to see if anyone knows how to show this type of information in Windows Explorer as columns, or is there another file manager that does include these two items.

Thanks for any info.

 

[iko22]

Hi,

If you want to see that type of information in a separate program, then you could use Mediainfo or Video Inspector .

Otherwise, if you want to add codecs inspection to Windows Explorer, then try MediaTab , there is a free and a paid version of MediaTab, and I think the paid version is ads free.

 

[br4]

Thanks for your reply. I have MediaInfo, but it does not add the separate columns that I had referenced. Neither does MediaTab, Video Inspector, or any other software I've been able to locate.

Again, I'm looking for something that will add a column for the video codec and a column for the audio codec to the Windows Explorer screen display.

 

[iko22]

Sorry they do not add a new column. What makes MediaTab and MediaInfo usable is that they install a right click menu entry on all media files, in Windows Explorer.

I do not think there is anything else available for Windows.

There is no help from Microsoft either. From their Codecs: Frequently Asked Questions | Microsoft Support webpage:

How do I tell which codec was used to compress a file, and what format a file is in?

There isn't a way to determine with absolute certainty the codec used to compress a file, but the following are your best options:

To determine what codec was used with a specific file, play the file in the Player, if possible. While the file is playing, right-click the file in the library, and then select Properties. On the File tab, look at the Audio codec and Video codec sections.
Use a non-Microsoft codec identification tool. To find one, search for "codec identification tool" on the web. You'll find several tools as well as useful related info.
You might be able to tell the format of a file by looking at the file name extension (such as .wma, .wmv, .mp3, or .avi). However, there are limits to this approach. Many programs create files with custom file extensions. And it's possible for anyone to rename a file without changing the file's format. A file with an .mpg or .dvr-ms extension, for example, is usually just an AVI file that's been compressed by using some version of an MPEG video codec.

 

[file3456]

Autoruns will also list all codecs installed in your computer.