Useful Video, DirectX and Multimedia Links
Codec Download Sites
- Free-Codecs.com - video and audio codecs and conversion tools for download.
- AFreeCodec.com - codec downloads, tools, discussion and other useful information
- MovieCodec.com - codec downloads and other useful video-related information.
- Compression Codecs - codecs, filters, test AVIs and other helpful video stuff.
- WMPlugins.com - various plugins (including codecs) for Windows Media Player. Search for codecs by FOURCC.
- KM Studio - hosted in Ukraine. Contains an outstanding collection of downloadable codecs.
- Codec-Download.com - free, downloadable codecs (also in German)
- All Most Wanted Codecs (warning - adult content!)
- The Codec Warehouse (links to downloads for various codecs and tools)
- Ace Mega Codec 5 (info) Supposedly a package of many codecs. Download the EXE here. WARNING - link downloads a Windows executable. Use at your own risk (I have not looked at the file!).
- MPlayer codec packs
- DirectShow Filters and Codecs
- Codec Instalation Package - a package of codecs for Windows Media Player from Microsoft.
- Drastic Technologies - download a freeware codec handling many (if not all) the raw YUV formats.
- Imtoo Resources Page - various codec-related resources.
- Microsoft Codecs Installation Package - various codecs for Windows Media Player 9 and later.
Tools to extract codec information from AVI files
- afreeCodec Video Tool
- QAVIINFO - Query information from an AVI including the required codec
- AVInfo - an AVI file header parsing tool from George Shuklin
- GSpot - a multi-format video file analyser handing AVI, MOV, MPG, etc.
- VideoToolbox - a user-friendly tool to identify codecs used in various movie file formats.
- AVIcodec v1.0 - AVI file analyser
- Richard Thomas' AVI Info App
- RiffFileInfo - Java RIFF (AVI, WAV, ANI) file checker and parser
Other Tools & Tool Publishers
- Download AVIEDIT and VIDEDIT tools for Windows.
- Download VIDCAP32 tool for Windows
- VirtualDub - a freeware capture and editing package
- VCSwap - swap codecs and scan for new FOURCCs supported by a codec
- TMPGENC - AVI to MPEG1 transcoder
- abcAVI Tag Editor - a freeware AVI file tag browser and editor
- Imtoo.com - provider of DVD ripping and audio/video format converter software.
- VQLab - a professional video quality measurement tool.
- Daniusoft - publishers of various DVD ripping and video format conversion tools.
Video Players
- IrfanView - a widely used movie and still image player that bounces you here if you don't have the correct codec installed.
- MaximusDVD - a freeware DVD player for Windows
- Xine - a free, gpl-licensed video player for unix-like systems
Codec Information
- ATI's "codec" definition
- Intel's Indeo Video Site
- SlaveTrainer's I263 FAQ and Help Page
- The Driver Forum (newsgroup for video drivers and codecs)
- DivX Digest (for everyone who sends me email asking about DivX)
- Divx.com (DivX information, player download, sales, etc)
- Apple's list of Quicktime FOURCCs
- Apple's MPEG4 Information Site
- AM Software's FOURCC list (more info on some codecs)
- H.264/MPEG Part 10 information
- MIke Melanson's "Multimedia Research Institute"
- MPEG Industry Forum - MPEG4 site
- RFC 2361 - Wave and Codec Registries
- Michael Niedermayer's description of Microsoft MPEG4 codec variants
- AudioTag.org - audio codec information, downloads and discussion
- Simple YUV Coding Formats - technical details of some YUV codecs such as VCR1, CLJR and PIXL/VIXL.
General AVI and Format Information
- Microsoft's FOURCC Site
- John McGowan's AVI Overview
- Wotsit's Format - File and data format resources.
- DV Data in the AVI File Format
- Doom9.org - loads of information on tools, MPEG and DivX
- Zach's Mini WMP FAQ
- Files extensions and file type resources
Format Conversion Services
- Anetac Worldwide Medi@ Conversion Service - video and audio file format conversion services via broadband upload. They claim a 50MB file size limitation which seems rather low for video but drop them a line if the service sounds interesting.
Books and other related resources
- Hypertech Multimedia's Guide to Digital Video
- Video Demystified
- Charles Poynton's Gamma FAQ
- Charles Poynton's Color FAQ
PC Video Hardware Sites
- Frequently asked questions from COMP.SYS.IBM.PC.HARDWARE.VIDEO
PC Video Software Sites
General Hints and Tips