K-Lite Codec vs. MPC-HC

[Knightmare]

I guess I'm wondering if I really need all of the codecs and advance features. I just use MPC-HC to watch movies and I use MediaMonkey for my music. My question is, do I really need the standard K-Lite pack? I do have some mkv files but I don't know if MPC-HC alone will handle this file type--yet alone other video file types upon which I may discover. Is there a chart or something about this? Or does anyone have a simple explanation?

[BALTAGY]

Installed codec wont be used by MPC-HC only, it will be used by other programs also like video converters for example, personally i use AIMP and K-Lite Codec Pack Mega for movies and music and the codec handle other programs that need codecs if needed

[Alhaitham]

For videos:

 

MPC-HC Nightly Builds

+

madVR

+

Media Preview

 

For music:

 

foobar2000

 

For photos:

 

IrfanView

[davmil]

If you don't do video encoding you don't need most of the codecs it'll install.  If you just watch, recommend you use VLC instead.

[rach]

"I just use MPC-HC to watch movies and I use MediaMonkey for my music. My question is, do I really need the standard K-Lite pack?"

No, you don't. MPC-HC uses LAV Filters as internal decoder and splitter, which also bundled within K-Lite. Most of DirectShow players these days usually use LAV Filters as it is one of the most reliable DirectShow filters available right now. Even if you needed MediaInfo Lite and madVR that bundled within standard K-Lite Codec Pack, you can just it separately.

 

"I do have some mkv files but I don't know if MPC-HC alone will handle this file type--yet alone other video file types upon which I may discover."

MPC-HC itself can handle mkv and other common types.

 

[nanana1]

2 hours ago, Knightmare said:

I guess I'm wondering if I really need all of the codecs and advance features. I just use MPC-HC to watch movies and I use MediaMonkey for my music. My question is, do I really need the standard K-Lite pack? I do have some mkv files but I don't know if MPC-HC alone will handle this file type--yet alone other video file types upon which I may discover. Is there a chart or something about this? Or does anyone have a simple explanation?

 

Just uninstalled K-Lite and install MPC-HC player because your needs are simple as a media player.

 

You can always reverse the installs if you don't like the change later.

[SPECTRUM]

14 hours ago, Knightmare said:

I guess I'm wondering if I really need all of the codecs and advance features. I just use MPC-HC to watch movies and I use MediaMonkey for my music. My question is, do I really need the standard K-Lite pack? I do have some mkv files but I don't know if MPC-HC alone will handle this file type--yet alone other video file types upon which I may discover. Is there a chart or something about this? Or does anyone have a simple explanation?

 

you can just use MPC-HC, the whole K-Lite codec pack is not needed (except if you work with others apps that require those codecs), also instead of MPC-HC you can use VLC.

[Knightmare]

20 hours ago, nanana1 said:

 

Just uninstalled K-Lite and install MPC-HC player because your needs are simple as a media player.

 

You can always reverse the installs if you don't like the change later.

This is what I ended up doing. Thank you for the advice!

 

8 hours ago, SPECTRUM said:

 

you can just use MPC-HC, the whole K-Lite codec pack is not needed (except if you work with others apps that require those codecs), also instead of MPC-HC you can use VLC.

I know this might sound greedy, but I think VLC is bigger than it needs to be. I like it--don't get me wrong--but I can get the same results in a smaller sized program.

[debebee]

Well if you don't run into any playback problems, MPC will be fine..

If you even find any vids playing such as those in recent anime releases, then go for a better player app (e.g. daum potplayer) or codec pack if you still have problems after that

[lordi]

if you only need playback, VLC will do all the job, or MPC in this case

[SPECTRUM]

1 hour ago, Knightmare said:

This is what I ended up doing. Thank you for the advice!

 

I know this might sound greedy, but I think VLC is bigger than it needs to be. I like it--don't get me wrong--but I can get the same results in a smaller sized program.

 

the size is normal, because VLC support more things than MPC-HC.

[A.lemane]

On 8/18/2016 at 5:23 AM, Alhaitham said:

For videos:

 

MPC-HC Nightly Builds

+

madVR

+

Media Preview

 

For music:

 

foobar2000

 

For photos:

 

IrfanView

media preview is outdated & dosnt wok with VP9 & X265 thumbnails 

i recommend that u use http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/icaros.html

[debebee]

On 8/18/2016 at 0:37 PM, Knightmare said:

I guess I'm wondering if I really need all of the codecs and advance features. I just use MPC-HC to watch movies and I use MediaMonkey for my music. My question is, do I really need the standard K-Lite pack? I do have some mkv files but I don't know if MPC-HC alone will handle this file type--yet alone other video file types upon which I may discover. Is there a chart or something about this? Or does anyone have a simple explanation?

 

read this

http://lifehacker.com/5877208/what-are-codec-packs-and-should-i-use-them

[Knightmare]

18 hours ago, teodz1984 said:

 

read this

http://lifehacker.com/5877208/what-are-codec-packs-and-should-i-use-them

I guess this is like an audio driver: if it works, then okay.

[debebee]

As long as you don't run into less common file formats such as APE or FLAC, hi-10 AVC or h256 you are probably go...

else

get a codec pack

 

[A.lemane]

17 hours ago, teodz1984 said:

As long as you don't run into less common file formats such as APE or FLAC, hi-10 AVC or h256 you are probably go...

else

get a codec pack

 

MPC-HC can play all of those 

 

in my case all of my clips & movies r VP9 & X265 (a lot affordable considering the difference in size)

[Jordan]

On 18/08/2016 at 5:37 AM, Knightmare said:

.....My question is, do I really need the standard K-Lite pack? I do have some mkv files but I don't know if MPC-HC alone will handle this file type--yet alone other video file types upon which I may discover. Is there a chart or something about this? Or does anyone have a simple explanation?

 

Good answers were given above by our helpful members. Thanks to all of them

 

i just want to add some clarifications:

 

- MPC-HC can perfectly handle most of the commonly used codecs without any external ones

- You can install codec packs but it will be not used by MPC-HC. it will be used by other programs if they need it

- MPC-HC can use external codecs only if you specify it in its configuration

- Codec packs includes different codecs needed by video converters if you use them (some of them have their own codecs too)

 

There are plenty of good players like MPC-HC, but, IMHO, it's the best one of them (unmatched quality when using it cobined with MadVR + some shaders)

The difference between MPC-HC render and other players may not be visible on some monitors. it can be noticeable on big HDTV's in certain cases.

 

My own experience with players which doesn't need external codecs:

- MPC-HC is my favourite and "official" video player since years

- DVDFab Media Player and Mirillis.Splash have also good renderers but are lacking many options

- PotPlayer and TheKMPlayer are very good too (i rarely use them though)

- VLC also plays everything but a bit blurry compared to MPC-HC

- Memory consumption may differ for different reasons, but MPC-HC is the winner according to the tests on my systems.

[A.lemane]

3 minutes ago, jordan4x said:

 

My own experience with players which doesn't need external codecs:

- MPC-HC is my favourite and "official" video player since years

- DVDFab Media Player and Mirillis.Splash have also good renderers but are lacking many options

- PotPlayer and TheKMPlayer are very good too (i rarely use them though) 

- VLC also plays everything but a bit blurry compared to MPC-HC

- Memory consumption may differ for different reasons, but MPC-HC is the winner according to the tests on my systems.

 same experience here & MPC-HC is certainly the winner in that last one with a huge difference ^^

[DKT27]

On 19/8/2016 at 4:18 PM, A.lemane said:

media preview is outdated & dosnt wok with VP9 & X265 thumbnails 

i recommend that u use http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/icaros.html

 

After you mentioned, I checked what the this codec pack has to offer. Seems that they are using it too.

 

 

About codec quality, when I first tried this, it had the best quality I felt. But now, I guess the LAV are mainstream so I do not bother trying it.