Question about Mpeg 4?

[jacatone]

I'm confused about Mpeg 4. There seems to be a million variations or distro for this compression standard like Divx, Xvid, Avi and so on but not one unifying codec. Some video files I come across play fine and others Windows Media Player says it can't run. And of coarse, Windows asks if I'd like to find the correct codec online then say's it's encountered an unknown error. I've researched various DVD forums but can't seem to find an answer. Does anyone know the answer? Thanks.

[SonicVanguard]

Well first, what's the question? If it's about why are there so many versions of the MPEG4 codec, it's because DivX and XviD are really hacks on the MPEG4 codec. I'd estimate half the people that use those two encoders don't encode properly, thereby your problem in playback. If Media Player is having a problem finding codecs, install the Kristal codec pack - it should give you decent versions of the various MPEG4 codecs.

Dave.

[jacatone]

Thanks. I didn't realize all these distros were hacks. I thought Dr. Divx was considered the primary version.

[jacatone]

Thanks. I didn't realize all these distros were hacks. I thought Dr. Divx was considered the primary version.

[SonicVanguard]

DivX is as much a hack as any of the MPEG4 rippoffs. Basically a few people think they know better than the Moving Picture Experts Group Committee and took their codec, hacked it a bit and called it better. The various MPEG codecs are covered under patents, but that has never stopped anyone from taking a core MPEG codec, change it a bit, and call it something new. The Lame MP3 codec is another example. I doubt whoever created that codec paid any royalties to the Moving Picture Experts Group to change their codec, but it's become the favorite codec on-line simply because a few people figured it was the best. it's not even close to the best, but it's become a defacto standard of MP3 playback.

Dave.