I love tips like these because they eliminate the need to read through lots of threads to uncover the "gold nuggets". Thanks Dafydd Bevan for taking the time to share this information with us! Two follow-up questions if I may...

1. Does PD9 install proprietary Cyberlink Codecs to use as its default set, or does it "hand off" the decoding/authoring to whatever Codec pack is installed on the P.C. with the highest priority? For example, if Windows-7 comes with it's own Codec Set, and I have an AMD-ATI AVIVO package, how does PD9 know what to use?

2. If I download and install the FFDShow Codec Pack as you recommend, how do I tell PD9 to use it for decoding/authoring? (BTW.. Web searches turn up nothing but kudos for FFDShow. Thanks again!)

Appreciatively,

-Allen

Hi Allen,
The codecs used in PD9Ultra are pretty much fixed. The codec pack is used to decode/enable a media file to be read on your system.

CyberLink has opted to make sure PD9 is a stable editing unit and dropped codec access from 3rd party sources (like DivX).

hope that helps
Dafydd

In case anyone is interested in using Windows Media Player as an alternate player for nearly every type of video/audio file, CNET's download site has a CODEC pack suite available for such a requirement :

http://download.cnet.com/ Win 10, i7

I suggest caution with any filter (or codec) "pack" as these often introduce filters that conflict with each other. PD9 does not use any public DirectShow Filters, so any additional filters you install need to revolve around what your playback needs are and may be dependant on the media player that you use. Try to keep the filters you install to a minimum for what your need. More is not better, just more complicated to manage and trouble shoot. For may the STD M'Soft installed filters are fine but if you want broader or customisable playback support I'd suggest the following for a basic setup:

1) Splitter : LAVSplitter http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=156191 (others options include Haali)
2) Decoders : FFSHOW is a good start for Audio and Video Decoders http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=120465 through there are many config options so a new user can get lost
3) Renderers: There are MS supplied Audio and Video renders on you Windows box already.

For those that have mastered the basics there any many many specific filters that you can try. I couple I like include:
2a) Audio Decoder: LAVAudio http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=156191
3a) Video Renderer: madVR http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=146228
3b) Audio Renderer: Reclock http://forum.slysoft.com/showthread.php?t=44883

A final word of warning for the OCD types, as you chase every better and higher quality this rabit hole is very very deep indeed PD 64 Bit-Win10 64 Bit-32GB RAM-80TB HDD
Sony FX6 - 500Mbps 4k/50p AVC-I HLG
Canon XF400 - 150Mbps 4k/50p AVC
GoPro Hero6 Black
Pana HS700-28Mbps 1080/50p AVC (High@L4.2)
Canon HV20-HDV 25Mbps 16:9 1440x1080/25p MPEG

Hi, I have 32 bit Deluxe PD9 and I get the ffdshow codec icon showing up in the system tray whenever I play MP4's but not with flv videos.

Not sure where the ffdshow codecs came from, maybe my FormatFactory, but all I can say is that my PD9 videos play perfectly fine with ffdshow codecs no problem at all.

Stephanie. Just Love What You Do !

Also, VLC (Video Lan Client) uses all internal codecs, so it has no impact on other applications and can play almost any format.

Just discovered it was my Sonne DVD Creator that installed ffdshow on my pc.

But everything works in harmony with PD9 so that is good.. Just Love What You Do !

I've never had a problem 'playing' any type of file on PD9 and have for some time thought that my PD9 uses the ffdshow codecs that were installed by my Sonne-DVD-Creator and thought nothing of it.

But tonight I was clearing out some programs and as I have never really used Sonne DVD Creator (free) I uninstalled it as I saw that the ffdshow part of the program was installed seperately in my add/remove programs.

But when I booted up PD9 and tried various music video files I found that my .avi files wouldn't work due to PD saying it was unsupported, broken or corrupt.

Soo, i reinstalled Sonne DVD Creator and now the avi's work perfectly along with the red ffdshow XVID libavcodec mpeg 4 icon in the system tray. (i get blue icons for audio)

Soo, I'm not sure what's going on here but I'm happy enough for PD9 to use Sonne's resources.

So the ffdshow that's being used by PD9 from Sonne here, is that part available seperately and would PD9 play my .avi's without Sonne ?

It's not a problem at all but I'm curious..

Stephanie

Hi Stephanie,
If you installed FFDshow as a separate package you should be ok.

Thanks Dafydd...my ffdshow was installed seperately 'BY' Sonne DVD Creator and PD9 .avi's work with Sonne installed and Not when its Uninstalled.

I have this installed in add/remove : ffdshow [rev 2975] [2009-05-28]

Soo, i think I will opt for the easy compromise of leaving Sonne installed on my system purely to play files in PD9 !

As my partner always says to me when i hit 'pc strife' ..'If it ain't broke don't fix it ! lol

Many Thanks and Enjoy your day.

Stephanie.