Please don't suggest the Shark007 Win7Codecs that guy bundles a toolbar
What doesn't come with crap like that, these days? Not much. Always uncheck everything extra in installers.
I use Shark007's. It needs some tweaking, but so far it's not broken anything. I can turn everything on in FFMPEG's options, then install Real Alternative for cook, and then worry about any details in MPC-HC.
To be fully honest, though, all codec packs are largely a matter of laziness. You don't need a codec pack. You get a codec pack because it's quicker and easier than getting all the esoteric bits it comes with separately (whatever MPC-HC and FFMPEG won't do on their own).
i use PotPlayer & VLC
no need for codecs
Until you come across a file that integrated decoders won't handle, at which point you'll need codecs. If you hate flash video players in webpages, it's really easy to get to that point.
You really don't need codec packs. On win7, install haali splitter for mkvs and you're set for most videos you'll encounter. On XP, just install ffdshow directly. DirectVobSub if you need subtitles for anime and such.
Good players (MPC-HC and VLC) come with their own splitters for common formats, so there isn't even a need for Haali's MKV, usually. Integrated subtitle features don't work as well, though (MPC-HC's just shows nothing, and VLC's text is ugly on Windows).
These. Also, CyberLink for Dolby Headphone since my receiver lacks such feature (ffdshow headphone not comparable -although ffdshow must be used to swap channels for CDH anyway).
What versions of what player software is needed for this? I have the standard stack of optical drive and mobo bundled player software that I never install.