Codecs Updates

I am considering updating my codecs with

K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 1.56

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail.../1080441198/1/

I have been advised to uninstall all existing codecs.

1) How would I go about that? Some installations offer uninstallers
but not all, especially the applications which installed their own
codecs.

2) Why uninstall any codecs in the first place? Why not just overwrite
the old ones with the new ones in the K-Lite pack?


--

"One must realize that the world is a network of real and virtual
combat zones where the stakes are high, struggle is the primary
mode of being and only total victory is acceptable.
-- Sun Tzu, "The Art Of War"

Bob

On Sun, 13 Aug 2006 14:07:09 GMT, (Bob) wrote:

>I am considering updating my codecs with
>
>K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 1.56
>
>http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail.../1080441198/1/
>
>I have been advised to uninstall all existing codecs.
>
>1) How would I go about that? Some installations offer uninstallers
>but not all, especially the applications which installed their own
>codecs.

That will depend on the CODEC you're talking about. I've yet to run
across one that doesn't include an uninstaller, but you can probably
find instructions online for manual removal for a specific codec.
Worst case, you can just take the a chance and just try installing
over them. It works *most* of the time.

>
>2) Why uninstall any codecs in the first place? Why not just overwrite
>the old ones with the new ones in the K-Lite pack?

1. It leaves some entries in the windows installed program list that
aren't valid anymore. You'll need to delete these entries manually.

2. Some versions of CODECs aren't compatible with earlier or competing
implementations. When you overwrite, you only overwrite the files
that have an equivalent on the system. Some CODEC versions have
different file complements. Files without an analog won't be
overwritten, and these can have weird effects (eg. error messages at
start-up, malfunctions that are hard to track down). Worst case
(which isn't likely to happen, but could) is that such a file is
loaded at startup, and due to some wacky coding, crashes because it
can't find the right file version it needs, perhaps bringing other
problems.

Even if it causes no problems at all, most people don't like obsolete
files cluttering their hard drive.

3. If you don't uninstall the previous CODEC, some of those files from
the older CODEC may be loaded. Usually, when a program is running or
is loaded in memory, the original file is locked by setting the
read-only flag. When the installer tries to overwrite it, it won't be
allowed to. The smart installers complain to you about it. If you
actually proceed, you'll have a mix and match of files from one
version and another, with no guarantee that they'll work together very
well.
---------------------------------------------
Thanks.


MCheu

MCheu

(Bob) wrote:

> I am considering updating my codecs with K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 1.56
>
> I have been advised to uninstall all existing codecs.
>
> 1) How would I go about that? Some installations offer uninstallers
> but not all, especially the applications which installed their own
> codecs.

Assuming you're using Windows, just go into the Control Panel and
select "Add or Remove Programs".

> 2) Why uninstall any codecs in the first place? Why not just
> overwrite the old ones with the new ones in the K-Lite pack?

Good question. I don't believe that I ever uninstalled anything
prior to updating to one of the all-in-one codex packs. I suspect
it's just a cautionary advisory in case you screw something up,
and want to blame them for it.

-- jayembee

jayembee

On Sun, 13 Aug 2006 14:07:09 GMT, (Bob) wrote:

>I am considering updating my codecs with
>
>K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 1.56
>
>http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail.../1080441198/1/
>
>I have been advised to uninstall all existing codecs.
>
>1) How would I go about that? Some installations offer uninstallers
>but not all, especially the applications which installed their own
>codecs.
>
>2) Why uninstall any codecs in the first place? Why not just overwrite
>the old ones with the new ones in the K-Lite pack?

I have K-Lite standard pack installed, it will uninstall existing
codecs for you.

JimK

"jayembee" wrote ...
> Assuming you're using Windows, just go into the Control Panel and
> select "Add or Remove Programs".

The only one I've ever seen is the one for the K-Lite Mega
Codec Pack under discussion here.

Richard Crowley

On Sun, 13 Aug 2006 21:22:26 -0700, "Richard Crowley"
<> wrote:

>"jayembee" wrote ...
>> Assuming you're using Windows, just go into the Control Panel and
>> select "Add or Remove Programs".
>
>The only one I've ever seen is the one for the K-Lite Mega
>Codec Pack under discussion here.

I have DivX and XviD installed and they show up in "Add or Remove
Programs". But that's it.

Someone mentioned CCCP ( http://www.cccp-project.net/ ) as a candidate
for upgrading codecs. Any comments? It fussed about Vobsub so I did
not install it.


--

"One must realize that the world is a network of real and virtual
combat zones where the stakes are high, struggle is the primary
mode of being and only total victory is acceptable.
-- Sun Tzu, "The Art Of War"

Bob

On Mon, 14 Aug 2006 03:22:16 GMT, JimK <> wrote:

>I have K-Lite standard pack installed, it will uninstall existing
>codecs for you.

That's good to know.

Have you had any problems with it, in particular the converters like
Auto Gordian Knot (including VirtualDub and Vobsub) and some of the
others like Total Video Converter, WinAvi, etc.


--

"One must realize that the world is a network of real and virtual
combat zones where the stakes are high, struggle is the primary
mode of being and only total victory is acceptable.
-- Sun Tzu, "The Art Of War"

Bob

I just know without aome codec you can't convert the files to which
format you want.For eg. MOV,RM,etc. They all need special codecs.

gambol