Get the Latest Codec Downloads for your Computer

A codec is a computer program that is essential to your PC’s media player for shrinking and playing large files like movies and music. Movies and music files are so large they need a little extra help speeding up their download times. That’s where codecs come in. These programs take the raw file and, utilizing built in mathematical coders, they shrink the file size for faster downloads. Once downloaded, the codecs employ a decoder to open the file.

For end-users, it’s important to know that there are literally hundreds of codecs (sometimes spelled codex) being used today. They are used for many different functions including:

• Audio compression

• Video compression

• Streaming media via the Internet

• Videoconfrencing

• Playing music files

• Playing video files

• Speech capture

• Screen capture

Codecs are used in everyday PC functions. MP3 is a codec, compressing big audio files like WAVs to smaller, more manageable files. Other commonly used codec examples are: WMA, RealAudio, RealVideo, DivX, and Xvid.

So how do you know which codecs your PC needs?

A brand new, fresh from the factory PC will come with the most commonly used codecs needed to play Windows WMV files, audio CDs, WAV files, and even some AVI files. But even with a new PC, the odds are you will have to download a few new codecs to access all of your media files.

• If you are trying to access a file without the correct codec, Windows Media Player will usually give you an error message with a four-number code that corresponds to a specific codec. If you visit http://www.fourcc.org/fcccodec.htm you should be able to find the code and download the proper codec.

• Alternatively, you can visit http://www.codecguide.com/ for information on various codecs available.

• Lastly, you can also download VideoInspector, a freeware program that identifies missing codecs and directs you to the download location.

Codec Packs

Tech consultants also recommend downloading a codec pack. Oftentimes, this is more convenient then going codec shopping every time a media file doesn’t open.  Codec Packs are assembled to fit the needs of specific groups, so it's best to find out which types of codecs you need and then pick a pack that helps you the most.

The following are three of the most trusted and most popular codec packs.

• XP Codec Pack is a great, free package that provides one integrated media player and all the codecs you need to play just about any media file you download. It's available at…

http://download.cnet.com/XP-Codec-Pack/3000-2170_4-170400.html

• K-Lite Codec Pack is a user-friendly package with four different levels of codec-goodness: basic, standard, full, and mega. It's available at…

http://www.filehippo.com/download_klite_codec_pack/

• K-Lite Mega Codec Pack is a comprehensive package with pretty much every codec you could ever possibly need. It's available at…

http://www.filehippo.com/download_klite_mega_codec/