CODECS.COM Articles: Latest Codec Guides and Media News

GuideSep 4, 20262,678 views9 min read

Where to Download Free Ebooks Legally

A verified 2026 list of where to download free ebooks legally, plus how to fix the files that arrive in the wrong format.

GuideSep 4, 20269,283 views6 min read

How to Check Which Bluetooth Codecs Your Phone Supports

A one-minute walkthrough for finding your phone's Bluetooth codec list, what a greyed-out entry means, and why your choice keeps reverting.

GuideSep 4, 202612,258 views7 min read

How to Play Xvid and AVI Files on a Firestick

Why a Firestick will not open old Xvid AVI files, and the free Amazon Appstore player that fixes it.

GuideSep 4, 202626,569 views7 min read

What Is AVC1? The H.264 Tag Inside Almost Every Video File

What the avc1 tag in an MP4 file actually means, how it differs from avc3, and how to read the profile and level string that comes after it.

GuideSep 4, 202619,222 views6 min read

DeepSeek AI in 2026: How to Download It and Is It Worth It?

What DeepSeek V4 is now, the four ways to run it including on your own machine, and an honest answer on what the free price actually costs you.

NewsSep 4, 20261,114 views4 min read

OpenAI Astra Launches: Browser Control and Hidden Reasoning

OpenAI's most capable model yet can operate a browser on its own, and it shows less of its reasoning than the one before it.

GuideSep 4, 20261 comment172,216 views5 min read

How to See Which Codecs Are Installed on Windows

Where the installed codec list lives in modern Windows, and why it shows far less than is actually on your PC.

GuideSep 4, 20261 comment83,973 views5 min read

Audio Codec Tag Not Supported? Find Your Number Here

A lookup list of audio codec tag numbers in both hex and decimal, with what to install for each one.

GuideSep 3, 20261 comment6,858 views9 min read

Graphic Design for Kids: The Free Tools That Actually Fit Each Age

A parent's guide to the free drawing and design tools that actually suit each age, with the popular recommendations that no longer hold up.

NewsSep 3, 20261,546 views4 min read

Windows Says Virus Protection Is Off. Microsoft Says It Is Not.

Microsoft has confirmed that the "Turn on virus protection" pop-up appearing on Windows 10 and 11 is a false alarm, with no fix released yet.

GuideSep 3, 202630,729 views5 min read

Davinci Resolve Video Editor for Android: Fact or Fiction?

Davinci Resolve is a professional-grade video editing and color correction software developed by Blackmagic Design.

GuideSep 3, 20261 comment132,360 views5 min read

Downloading Movies and Shows on MX Player

MX Player is a versatile video player and streaming platform that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content, making it a popular choice among users.

GuideSep 3, 202621,400 views8 min read

Best Bluetooth Codec in 2026: What Actually Changes the Sound

A plain comparison of every Bluetooth audio codec worth knowing in 2026, and an honest answer on when the choice actually changes what you hear.

NewsSep 3, 2026919 views4 min read

Adobe Is Retiring the App That Replaced Premiere Clip

Adobe shuts Premiere Rush down on 30 September 2026, and the app meant to replace it on Android is still an Early Access beta.

GuideSep 3, 202623,056 views5 min read

Spotify Audio Quality: Vorbis, AAC and Lossless Explained

Which codec Spotify actually sends you on each app and plan, and which quality setting is worth choosing.

GuideSep 3, 202610,610 views6 min read

Is HEVC Worth It in 2026? The Honest Answer

Whether HEVC is worth switching to, what the storage saving really is, the hardware bar you have to clear, and how to get the Windows decoder for free.