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

• Microsoft Video For Windows Online Reference (click the Documentation tab and look for "Video for Windows" in the list)
• How to create and use a YUV format overlay surface in DirectDraw
• Adam Perer's DirectX eXperience
• Intel's Colour Space Conversion application note..

General Hints and Tips

• Moo's Video Editing Tips