CODECs!!!!! Arrrrrgghh!
8 messages in this thread
I've put it off long enough! I now have a deadline and I must know everything
there is to know about CODECs. I think I'm in deep.
Basic question. Is there anyway to tell what codec a particular AVI file is
using?
How do I get ahold of a distributable Microsoft RLE CODEC? Is the one in AAS
distributable?
Is there a good primer on CODECs somewhere in this or another forum? I need a
little more info than the AAS manual has.
Thanks in advance. This forum has been great for getting quick and useful
responses. (pretty rare it seems)
Rich
Codecs? Read the Tips and Tricks doc with 1.1 – it talks about CODECS somewhat
"How do I get ahold of a distributable Microsoft RLE CODEC? Is the one in AAS
distributable?"
AAStudio is based on Video for Windows. That means that folks can download
some basic and universal compressor (codecs) like Microsoft RLE, Video1,
Cinepak, and Indeo. We have added a few codecs ourselves in AAStudio, but if
you save an animation with an Autodesk codec your recipient will probably not
have the codec unless they have AAStudio or the distributable player. For
distribution, it's better to stick to those which come with Video for Windows.
All the codecs are distributable (Autodesk's, Microsoft's…).
"Is there anyway to tell what codec a particular AVI file is using?"
Yes – you may have prompted Dave's Tip of the Week – which I've cut and pasted
here:
_ __
\ // \\_// /|-| A N I M A T O R S T U D I O N E W S
| \ / O| | >>>>>>> Tip of the Week <<<<<<<
\_| |O / / _
\\ ____|/-/____ / \ _ Hey everyone…
\\ |/_/_/_/_/_/_| | | /:::\
\\|____________|/ / \:::/ ever wondered how to view an image
\\__|____|___| / | | or movie and know not only its
|_\\_________| | |/ resolution but its pixel depth?
\\|| \ __ /
_||_ found out a little trick. the
/|___o|\ Browser in the Animator Module does tell
// || \\ us a little about a file's parameters… but
_// — \\_ check this out. Open Soundlab, then open the
|_o| |_o| the image or movie in question. Once opened,
|| || Go to File/Compressions… and notice that
|| || the pixel depth is also reported in addition
|| || to the image's resolution. yay!
|| ||
\/ \/
There are several good books which cover codecs – I have the Jan Ozer book
called Video Compression for Multimedia.
Nik,
is that tips & tricks for AAS 1.1? If so, that explains why i've never seen it.
Also, pardon my ignorance but with these common codecs, how do I know what
files are required when I distribute them? I really need to know where the
microsoft RLE codec comes from. Does it come with windows? video for windows?
I suppose I should be looking in some MS forum (too many of them).
thanks,
rc
"is that tips & tricks for AAS 1.1? If so, that explains why i've never seen
it."
Sounds like you've got an earlier version of AAStudio? If so, the update is
free. Call 800/538-6401.
"Also, pardon my ignorance but with these common codecs, how do I know what
files are required when I distribute them?"
Video for Windows is where the 2 Microsoft, and Cinepak and Indeo codecs come
from. If you get the runtime version of Video for Windows (they're at version
1.1e right now) you should have all those codecs. Should be available on
CompuServe. By the way, Win95 apparently includes Video for Windows, so users
should be able to play AVI files compressed with any of those four codecs.
So, Microsoft RLE comes with Video for Windows. AAStudio includes Video for
Windows. AAStudio's player will install Video for Windows as well as a few
Autodesk codecs.
nik,
thanks again for the quickest response of any forum. keep up the good work
"thanks again for the quickest response of any forum. keep up the good work"
Thanks for the encouragement. We'll do our best!
Richard,
There is a book on video compression called "Video Compression" I believe ( I
don't have it in front of me at the moment). It comes with a CD that has a
utility for doing things like knowing what codec was used plus lots more. If
you are using video it is a must have. I believe it is authored by Jan Oser.
Will
thanks will,
I think I'll add it too my shelf.
rc