Codec Finder & Media Analyzer
Drop any video or audio file to instantly identify its codecs, resolution, bit rate and HDR format. Get exact recommendations for what to download to play it.
No Upload Required
100% Private
H.264, H.265, AV1, VP9
Dolby, DTS, FLAC
HDR Detection
Drop your media file here
or click to browse - nothing is uploaded to any server
MKV
MP4
AVI
MOV
WEBM
M2TS
VOB
MP3
FLAC
WAV
AAC
OGG
Analyzing your file...
Recommended for Your File
100% private. All analysis is performed locally by MediaInfo.js running in your browser. No file data is ever sent to any server.
No file handy? Use our guided troubleshooter to diagnose codec problems step by step.
Codec Troubleshooter How It Works
1
Drop Your File
Drag and drop any video or audio file onto the analyzer, or click to browse. The file stays on your device - nothing is uploaded.
2
MediaInfo Analyzes
MediaInfo.js reads the file header in your browser using WebAssembly, extracting codec, resolution, bit rate, HDR and audio details.
3
Codecs Identified
Every video track, audio track and subtitle stream is identified with its exact format name, profile and support status on Windows.
4
Get Recommendations
Based on the detected codecs, the tool recommends the exact codec pack, extension or player you need to play the file correctly.
Windows Desktop Tool
Codec Inspector
Windows
Codec Inspector is a free Windows desktop application that lists all installed codecs, DirectShow filters and splitters on your system. Unlike this browser-based analyzer which identifies codecs in files, Codec Inspector shows you what decoders are actually installed on your PC - helping you spot missing components, conflicts between codec packs, and filters that may be causing playback problems.
Free
DirectShow Filters
Installed Codecs
Conflict Detection
Windows Only
Get Codec Inspector
Frequently Asked Questions
A codec (short for coder-decoder) is software that compresses and decompresses digital media. Every video and audio file is encoded with a specific codec - H.264 or H.265 for video, AAC or Dolby Digital for audio. Without the matching decoder installed, your media player cannot read the file and shows errors like "codec not found" or simply plays a blank screen with no audio. Installing the right codec or codec pack resolves these errors.
This happens when your media player does not have the decoder needed for the codec used in the file. Common causes are: playing a newer H.265/HEVC file on an older Windows system, playing a Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD audio track without the right filter, or opening a file encoded with a less common codec like AV1 or VP9 in an older player. Drop your file in the analyzer above to identify the exact codec and get a specific download recommendation.
A container format (MKV, MP4, AVI, MOV) is the outer wrapper that holds one or more streams together. Inside the container are the actual video and audio streams, each encoded with their own codec. An MKV file, for example, might contain H.265 video, DTS audio and ASS subtitles - three different codecs in one container. The codec, not the container, determines what software you need to play the file.
On Windows 10/11, you have two main options. The simplest is the free HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft, which adds H.265 support to the built-in Windows Media Player and Movies & TV app. Alternatively, K-Lite Codec Pack Full includes a high-quality LAV HEVC decoder and works in all DirectShow-based players. VLC Media Player has its own built-in decoder and requires no additional installation.
K-Lite Codec Pack is the most widely recommended option. The Full edition includes LAV Filters (the best open-source DirectShow decoders), Media Player Classic, madVR renderer, and decoders for virtually every format. It is safe, well maintained and used by millions. For anime and content with complex ASS subtitles, the Combined Community Codec Pack (CCCP) is also excellent. You can find and compare all available codec packs at xcodecpack.com.
Yes - K-Lite Codec Pack has been a trusted, clean codec solution for over 20 years. It installs standard DirectShow filters and does not include adware when downloaded from official sources. Always download from the official website or from a reputable site like free-codecs.com. The installer offers a custom setup option so you can choose exactly which components to install.
The analyzer uses MediaInfo.js - a WebAssembly port of the open-source MediaInfo library that runs entirely inside your browser. When you drop a file, only the first few kilobytes of the file header are read in memory; the file is never sent over the network to any server. Your files stay completely private and the analysis works offline once the page has loaded.
H.264 (AVC) is the current standard - universally supported by all devices, browsers and players. H.265 (HEVC) is the successor and achieves roughly double the compression at the same quality, making it ideal for 4K content. The trade-off is that H.265 requires more CPU to decode and needs a compatible decoder installed, especially on older Windows systems. H.265 is now the dominant format for 4K streaming and Blu-ray Ultra HD.
AV1 is an open, royalty-free codec from the Alliance for Open Media, designed to replace VP9 and eventually compete with H.265. It offers excellent compression but requires significant CPU power to decode. On Windows 10/11, install the free AV1 Video Extension for hardware-accelerated playback in the built-in apps. VLC 3.0+ and K-Lite Codec Pack Full also include AV1 software decoders.
