Why install Shark007 codes when MPC can play everything?

[G73S]

I have always been installing the Shark007 Win7Codecs + x64 Components along with Media Player Classic - Home Cinema

Now I have formatted my laptop and didn't install anything yet and am starting to wonder myself. Why am I installing the Shark 007 codecs when Media Player Classic - Home Cinema can play any file you throw at it out of the box without the need to install any codecs?

Do these codes improve playback or what?

In the past, if you didn't have codecs a certain video/file might not play until WMP downloads the right codec for it. But the latest iterations of MPC-HC has everything built it to play any file

I am a n00b when it comes to these codes and stuff, someone please explain to me and guide me in the right direction of what shall I do next?

PS: I tend to like the enhancements in WMP like SRS and the WOW effect but I absolutely hate its interface specifically while in full screen, the seek bar is just too big and takes a few seconds to disappear when you hover your mouse away from it

 

[boochi]

No you don't need them for MPC-HC, but you do need them for WMP or WMC to play some files along with a reg edit. Windows also needs them to show thumbnails for certain file formats.

 

[assassin24]

along with a reg edit

That's not accurate.

You need them for playing MKV in WMC (along with other options as well). Shark007 is also nice to use if you are using extenders.

BTW I just posted a free Shark007 guide over at my blog for those interested.

 

[G73S]

That's not accurate.

You need them for playing MKV in WMC (along with other options as well). Shark007 is also nice to use if you are using extenders.

BTW I just posted a free Shark007 guide over at my blog for those interested.

Wow, thank you so much! I was always wanting to have such a nice guide with pic illustrations for Sharky's codecs
But there is a problem with the LAV Guide, Everytime I click it, I get a pop up window that takes me to an index, but I can never get to see the LAV guide.

Check it out

 

[assassin24]

Wow, thank you so much! I was always wanting to have such a nice guide with pic illustrations for Sharky's codecs
But there is a problem with the LAV Guide, Everytime I click it, I get a pop up window that takes me to an index, but I can never get to see the LAV guide.

Check it out

There is no problem. The rest of the 67,000 words, 2300 pictures, 110+ guides are not free. The Shark007 guide is one of 4 free sample guides.

As a reference wikipedia says a novel starts at 40,000 words. So I have literally created an illustrated HTPC novel.

If you think the hundreds of hours of work I have done to provide these guides are worth a small donation for lifetime access then consider using the guides and supporting the creator and his team.

 

[G73S]

There is no problem. The rest of the 67,000 words, 2300 pictures, 110+ guides are not free. The Shark007 guide is one of 4 free sample guides.

As a reference wikipedia says a novel starts at 40,000 words. So I have literally created an illustrated HTPC novel.

If you think the hundreds of hours of work I have done to provide these guides are worth a small donation for lifetime access then consider using the guides and supporting the creator and his team.

Oh so you want money for a guide you wrote to help others? :whiste:

 

[assassin24]

Oh so you want money for a guide you wrote to help others? :whiste:

Here we go.

Obviously you don't know who I am or how much I have "helped others" already.

But thanks for the criticism. I value it.

 

[G73S]

Here we go.

Obviously you don't know who I am or how much I have "helped others" already.

But thanks for the criticism. I value it.

You're right, I don't know who you are as I am new here.

I have no problem with donating money where it's worth but asking for it for offering someone who is particularly seeking some help on a forum is a bit too much... just my 2 cents

 

[assassin24]

Didn't I just provide this for free to him and everyone else?

I didn't ask him to pay a thing for the Shark007 guide. I don't make much money at all on the guides, btw.

Its up to you if you think your time is worth the small price I ask for these guides. I also encourage you to look at the testimonials tab at my blog to see if you think others share your opinion.

Its easy to make the statement that you did. But its an ignorant statement because you don't know what's in the guides or the incredible amount of time and expense it has taken to provide them to the community.

 

[assassin24]

FYI here is a post from this site from just yesterday.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2233859

Obviously there are others that don't share your opinion.

I do respect your opinion even if it differs from mine, btw.

 

[Edgy]

Umm... just few personal thoughts...

I don't need assassin's guides as I actually enjoy the frustration of learning things by myself but from what I've seen of his samples, it must have taken painstaking effort and time to author them.

Also I'd say assassin's got at least 4 free useful and detailed guides offering which seems to be a solid contribution to the community.

Whether or not donations are required for the rest of his guides is his business and business of people who find them useful enough to contribute payments. Suffice to say there are other guides out there (mostly not as detailed nor as helpful) that do not require payments if you search hard enough.

He's also posting to help answer the original post's question so I'd also say he's trying to be helpful there.

 

[boochi]

That's not accurate.

No, I was pretty fucking accurate about a regedit for some files.

 

[assassin24]

No, I was pretty fucking accurate about a regedit for some files.

Which files? I have never had to do a regedit.

No real reason to drop the f-bomb either.

 

[boochi]

http://www.hack7mc.com/2009/01/playing-mkvs-in-media-center.html

Unless there was some recent windows update that gave WMC & WMP the ability to play them natively you do need a registry edit to enable .mkv and .mka. A separate reg file is needed to play .flv files in WMC.

 

[assassin24]

http://www.hack7mc.com/2009/01/playing-mkvs-in-media-center.html

Unless there was some recent windows update that gave WMC & WMP the ability to play them natively you do need a registry edit to enable .mkv and .mka. A separate reg file is needed to play .flv files in WMC.

That's over 3 years old. LAV and some of the other additions to Shark007 weren't even created then.

Take a look at my guide that I posted. No regedit needed.

 

[G73S]

never had to do a reg edit with Shark007 codecs, mkvs and flvs play just fine in WMPC

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Out of curiosity... why bother with MPC-HC and codecs, if VLC can play everything video?

 

[Matt1970]

Out of curiosity... why bother with MPC-HC and codecs, if VLC can play everything video?

Pretty much this.

VLC comes with all the codecs you need.

My take on Codecs is once you get it to where you can play everything you want, leave it alone. Installing Codecs over Codecs over Codecs can lead to it barfing and sometimes not be repairable without an format.

 

[assassin24]

Pretty much this.

VLC comes with all the codecs you need.

My take on Codecs is once you get it to where you can play everything you want, leave it alone. Installing Codecs over Codecs over Codecs can lead to it barfing and sometimes not be repairable without an format.

Mainly because many people want much more than just a "player".

Its not about just playing the media. Its about building a HTPC.

If you want to just play something get a streamer for $80 and call it a day.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Mainly because many people want much more than just a "player".

Its not about just playing the media. Its about building a HTPC.

If you want to just play something get a streamer for $80 and call it a day.

Sorry, but that answer smack of arrogance.

Building a computer to be used primarily as a HTPC should not preclude it from having other functions as well. Any applications dedicated for playback/recording (XBMC and Windows Media Centre included) should be available as skins or on-demand, not as the default (and only!) interface. Using a computer for a single purpose is akin to buying a car exclusively for grocery shopping. Streamer? Really???

This reminds me of people who use iTunes religiously and exclusively, and criticize any other application that threatens their little walled garden. I've had a person yell at me that Winamp is a piece of crap. Only later I realized that he uses iTunes as an overall organizer and exclusive media portal...

Besides which, I don't see the OP asking about a dedicated HTPC, to begin with!

 

[assassin24]

Arrogance? I don't understand at all. Where did I say this was used "for a single purpose". In fact I said the exact opposite.

Of course it can do other functions. Many people don't want to just open VLC or MPC-HC and playback a video. They want to have their Live TV, Music, Movies, TV Shows, Pandora, Netflix, etc etc etc show up as a single interface.

I was referencing VLC. If you just open VLC and then point it to a file to play why not just get a streamer? That's what I was saying.

Its not impossible to have a well functioning HTPC. Its just takes a little knowledge and experience to get it to where you want it to go.

If you only knew what I think and know what a HTPC is capable of you would find your comment funny (but definitely not arrogant. Evidently that is only reserved for my opinions based on the feedback I have received so far in this thread).

 

[Gooberlx2]

haali media splitter + ac3filter (for dts) + built-in Win7 codecs will play most everything in WMP/WMC. Add DirectVobSub if you need subtitles.

I've never liked sharky's and always preferred k-lite full over it. Beginning with Win7 though, I don't really think codec packs are necessary anymore.

 

[assassin24]

haali media splitter + ac3filter (for dts) + built-in Win7 codecs will play most everything in WMP/WMC. Add DirectVobSub if you need subtitles.

I've never liked sharky's and always preferred k-lite full over it. Beginning with Win7 though, I don't really think codec packs are necessary anymore.

Win7 won't play MKV. Won't bitstream HD Audio.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Arrogance? I don't understand at all. Where did I say this was used "for a single purpose". In fact I said the exact opposite.

Of course it can do other functions. Many people don't want to just open VLC or MPC-HC and playback a video. They want to have their Live TV, Music, Movies, TV Shows, Pandora, Netflix, etc etc etc show up as a single interface.

I was referencing VLC. If you just open VLC and then point it to a file to play why not just get a streamer? That's what I was saying.

Its not impossible to have a well functioning HTPC. Its just takes a little knowledge and experience to get it to where you want it to go.

If you only knew what I think and know what a HTPC is capable of you would find your comment funny (but definitely not arrogant. Evidently that is only reserved for my opinions based on the feedback I have received so far in this thread).

You refuse to acknowledge that you're talking off-topic. To help you with that realization, I bolded the part that should clarify things in my previous answer.

"If you only knew what I think and know what a HTPC is capable of..."
Oh, really? what am I supposed to say now: "My god, please illuminate me, you mighty power user" ?...

"Obviously you don't know who I am or how much I have "helped others" already." And you claim you're not arrogant? you "novel writer", you!

FYI:
- not all computer users want the same things you do.
- some users avoid tight integration for various reasons, and prefer to keep functions separated.
- many of the services you tout are U.S.-centric, and their relevance is limited for international readers and/or those with limited bandwidth.

And, once again, the OP was asking about a simple program and a set of codecs, while you went deep into HTPC territory.

Even in the thread you linked to earlier - in which you have a post where you modestly refer to yourself in third-person! - there's a guy who nails it:

"I just don't see the point in, after having went through the pain of organising your media folders properly, having to use a crippled player just so I can get that GUI-induced euphoria. To me the home theatre experience is all about the media and simple ways to play them. I think XBMC has a lot of potential to become a good all-around media player (version 11 for instance has some very yummy audio visualisations which have me tempted to ditch foobar), it's just so remote control-oriented at this stage that it hurts its functionality for demanding users like me. "

 

[assassin24]

Great post Anita. Very insightful.

As I have pointed out people using Shark007 are often wanting more than just "simple playback".

Does everyone on this site insult everyone else who has a different opinion? What a great place.