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ffdshow video decoder

I have this installed on my computer, it was here when I bought it. I just wonder what it is good for and howto use it. I have not had much luck on line.

I think it may be a type of conversion to change dvd to cd , but not sure.

Also, if you buy a Dvd, are you allowed to make a copy for home use?
 
It's a common codec used primarily in the playback of certain video file formats. Unless you do a lot of work with video formats then ffdshow is just something that exists in the background and you should never really notice or worry about it.

While we're on the subject, it's always a good idea to download one of those video codec packs (e.g. K-Lite Code Pack) as they allow you computer to play many different video formats, often with better speed and quality.
 
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...

Also, if you buy a Dvd, are you allowed to make a copy for home use?
Under UK law, you are not allowed to copy any copyrighted CD or DVD for any purpose whatsoever, even if you own the original and only make a single copy for your own use.

Having said that, it is highly unlikely that you would ever be prosecuted for making personal security backups of DVDs you own, as long as you destroy the copy if you ever part with the original.
 
While we're on the subject, it's always a good idea to download one of those video codec packs (e.g. K-Lite Code Pack) as they allow you computer to play many different video formats, often with better speed and quality.

FFdshow is just a general purpose audio/video codec which allows you to play pretty much any audio/video file format through Windows Media Player. A very handy piece of software, you shouldn't need a codec pack if you have FFDshow installed. BTW, K-Lite could technically be classed as "warez" since it contains an unauthorized Cyberlink MPEG2 decoder.

I copy DVDs to use with Windows Media Center all the time. My movie hard drive contains over 100 so far (all legally purchased I might add).

Though technically illegal, it's not something you should worry about doing, as I dont think anyone has ever gotten in trouble for simply copying a disc to a another device for private use.
 
http://www.cccp-project.net/

Hosts the best codec pack, AND it includes two good media players as well; I use Zoom all the time, it is far better than Windows MP11, and Zoom Max is even better.
 
So, do I need to click on the icon before using, or does it work in the backround? I will read some more.I should have done it beforee asking I suppose.

thanks to everyone.
 
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It installs and registers the codecs, so the various media programs can use them; once installed you do not really need to do anything else, although you can custom select which program opens by default for each file type.

As I mentioned, Zoom is so good I use it for all my videos, although for music I tend to use Media Player Classic.
 
Captain,

I have at least three, maybe 4 movie players. Nero,windows movie maker,Win dvd and I think maybe another. Is there a special reason all of them are on here? I think Nero has allways been on this computer. I may have downloaded win dvd for some reason, the windows movie maker I dont know how it got on here.

I dont particuarly like any of these, but was wondering if I need them. I wonder if I would like Zoom? I may check it out.
 
The Nero player is quite good, it is bundled as part of the Nero CD/DVD burning software, the main problem with it is the time it takes to load; even on a 3gig dual core cpu it takes 10 seconds sometimes!!
Movie maker is a MS program, I've never used it but I believe it comes as part of some Windows install disks.
WinDVD is often bundled with other programs, including CD/DVD burning software and Graphic card drivers, and is also sometimes installed by certain Video Film DVDs if you try to watch them them on a PC.
Personally I would say keep Nero, as it is part of the Nero suite, and dump the others.
 
I really feel guilty asking so much. One more question please.

I will wait for your next answer, but I was wondering, should I be able to see anything I want with Nero? Just wondering if some of the other stuff got here cause I wanted to watch something and it would only work on those particular programs?

I recently loaded a program that fox uses to watch its back logged shows( which works great if you miss a House episode)

Anyway, I doubt the others are for anything special and are probably just taking up space. I think you already answered it , but I wanted to check with you. Worst case, I just reload it if I ever need it again, right?
 
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The best (and safest thing to do), it to try and play the Fox rerun using Nero and Zoom; if either works then you can delete the Fox player, if neither works you will have to keep the Fox player.
Some companies make it as hard as possible to view their programs without also using their products; which is why the CCC pack is so good, other than DVD (only available in Zoom Max), you can get a codec to play almost anything for free.
 
I might not ever use the fox player again, I just wanted to see the season six premier of house which I had missed. Its kind of a dumb show I suppose , but one of the few I watch these days.

It claimed before I downloaded that it would be less buffer or lag time than other players due to a special program. not sure about that, but it sure did work well, but had few controls.

Some of the other players I have are just redundant and dont offer anything special. I will probbly delete them sooner or later.

The ffshow is a movie codec, like you told me earlier. I also have a ffaudio. I think I will keep using it for now since I have not had any trouble . Iwas just wondering if I needed to open the file or do anything, since I noticed there was some things you could tweak. In reality it is just to choose the codec you wish to open something with, as you or someone had allready mentioned.

Thanks again.
 
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