Codec for MKV format...

**rustler** · November 9th, 2014, 08:10 AM

I have a problem in as much as my PC cannot play MKV Format films.

I checked CNET, which is my usual source for such things, but noticed that there were so many comments on there regarding malware on the codec pack that they offer.

I wondered if anybody possibly has a good source to find a suitable codec for Windows XP please?

Many thanks in advance....

jobbythehutt · November 9th, 2014, 08:31 AM

Download GOM Media Player. It plays everything, even incomplete files.

**DB83** · November 9th, 2014, 08:33 AM

There is no such thing as an mkv codec. MKV is a container format so can include practically any video or audio codec.

Get hold of a little utility called Mediainfo. That will tell you what actual codec(s) are included in your video and just download these. NEVER install a codec pack.

You can also try video players such as VLC (Videolan) or Media Player Home Cinema as these (espec VLC) can often play many files without additional codecs.

**zorin** · November 9th, 2014, 08:42 AM

The mkv (or Matroska) format is a so-called multimedia container format
meaning that it can contain more than just audio and video ( e.g. subtitles,
alternative soundtracks etc. ) and is not tied down to one particular codec.

The fact that you can't play an mkv file could just mean you don't have the
Matroska splitter installed.

My preferred codec pack is the K-Lite codec pack which has always enabled
me to play mkv files ( both XP & W7 ) via the bundled MPC-HC player.

I generally download K-Lite from codecguide.com, haven't had any viral problems
with it to date.

**rustler** · November 9th, 2014, 09:03 AM

Thank you very much gents for all your help and advice! Some really helpful and useful advice there.

This is very much appreciated.

Rommelbommel · November 9th, 2014, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zorin

My preferred codec pack is the K-Lite codec pack which has always enabled
me to play mkv files ( both XP & W7 ) via the bundled MPC-HC player.

Never suggest to download a codec pack. It's absolutely unnecessary unless you are doing video editing. Just tell them to use a proper media player.

**deepsepia** · November 18th, 2014, 12:57 PM

Note several folks have warned against downloading codec packs. Reason being that there's a lot of stuff, particularly on Usenet, where folks spread virus by having you download a file, it doesn't play, and you get a help file which says "having trouble playing this vid? Install our "sure its not a virus, you can trust me" codec pack and install it . . .

November 9th, 2014, 08:10 AM	#1
rustler Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South of the North Pole Posts: 4,977 Thanks: 47,583 Thanked 84,530 Times in 4,955 Posts	Codec for MKV format... I have a problem in as much as my PC cannot play MKV Format films. I checked CNET, which is my usual source for such things, but noticed that there were so many comments on there regarding malware on the codec pack that they offer. I wondered if anybody possibly has a good source to find a suitable codec for Windows XP please? Many thanks in advance.... __________________ "I think on-stage nudity is disgusting, shameful and damaging to all things American. But if I were 22 with a great body, it would be artistic, tasteful, patriotic and a progressive religious experience." - Shelley Winters Please read and follow To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

November 9th, 2014, 09:03 AM	#5
rustler Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South of the North Pole Posts: 4,977 Thanks: 47,583 Thanked 84,530 Times in 4,955 Posts	Thank you very much gents for all your help and advice! Some really helpful and useful advice there. This is very much appreciated. __________________ "I think on-stage nudity is disgusting, shameful and damaging to all things American. But if I were 22 with a great body, it would be artistic, tasteful, patriotic and a progressive religious experience." - Shelley Winters Please read and follow To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

November 9th, 2014, 08:31 AM	#2
jobbythehutt Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA Posts: 83 Thanks: 60 Thanked 860 Times in 71 Posts	Download GOM Media Player. It plays everything, even incomplete files.

November 9th, 2014, 08:33 AM	#3
DB83 Vintage Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,472 Thanks: 1,948 Thanked 12,019 Times in 1,458 Posts	There is no such thing as an mkv codec. MKV is a container format so can include practically any video or audio codec. Get hold of a little utility called Mediainfo. That will tell you what actual codec(s) are included in your video and just download these. NEVER install a codec pack. You can also try video players such as VLC (Videolan) or Media Player Home Cinema as these (espec VLC) can often play many files without additional codecs.

November 9th, 2014, 08:42 AM	#4
zorin Vintage Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,174 Thanks: 9,103 Thanked 68,446 Times in 1,177 Posts	The mkv (or Matroska) format is a so-called multimedia container format meaning that it can contain more than just audio and video ( e.g. subtitles, alternative soundtracks etc. ) and is not tied down to one particular codec. The fact that you can't play an mkv file could just mean you don't have the Matroska splitter installed. My preferred codec pack is the K-Lite codec pack which has always enabled me to play mkv files ( both XP & W7 ) via the bundled MPC-HC player. I generally download K-Lite from codecguide.com, haven't had any viral problems with it to date.

November 18th, 2014, 12:57 PM	#7
deepsepia Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Upper left corner Posts: 7,205 Thanks: 47,957 Thanked 83,454 Times in 7,199 Posts	Note several folks have warned against downloading codec packs. Reason being that there's a lot of stuff, particularly on Usenet, where folks spread virus by having you download a file, it doesn't play, and you get a help file which says "having trouble playing this vid? Install our "sure its not a virus, you can trust me" codec pack and install it . . .