Is Xvid Still Relevant in 2026? The Codec That Refuses to Die
Xvid at 25: why the old AVI codec still turns up in 2026, how it stacks up against H.264, HEVC and AV1, and whether to keep or convert your files.
CODECS.COM articles
Guides and News on Codecs and Multimedia
516 guides and news articles on codecs, media players and the tools around them, newest first.
Codec Is Not Supported on Android or Samsung? How to Fix It
Why Android and Samsung phones show 'codec is not supported', and four free fixes - from switching to VLC to adding the MX Player custom codec.
Fake Blu-ray Drives Are Fooling PS3 Emulation Fans - How to Spot One
The RPCS3 team warns that counterfeit Blu-ray drives sold online cannot read PS3 discs, and shows how to check yours before the return window closes.
Best Modern Codecs: H.264, HEVC, VP9, AV1 and Opus Explained
The five codecs behind almost every video and song online - H.264, HEVC, VP9, AV1 and Opus - and which one to use for playback or your own files.
Xvid Won't Play on Your Phone or TV? Convert It to MP4 Free (4 Ways)
Four free ways to turn old Xvid AVI files into MP4 that plays everywhere, from one-click HandBrake to a single FFmpeg command for a whole folder.
Is DivX Still Worth Using in 2026?
DivX in 2026, honestly: still good for old AVI and DivX files, no longer the right tool for new video, TV streaming or HEVC on a Mac.
AI Agent Swarms Explained: What They Are and How to Keep Your PC Safe
A plain-English guide to AI agent swarms, prompt injection and the simple steps that keep a Windows PC safe from them.
Suno Speech Beta: AI Voiceovers With Music and Download Caps
Suno's new Speech beta reads your script over original music - here is how it works and how many clips each plan lets you download.
StaxRip HEVC Encoding: How to Cut Video File Sizes in Half for Free
Free 10-step StaxRip workflow to encode any source video into half-size HEVC files with the x265 encoder.
Best Video Codec Tutorials: 6 Free Videos That Make Codecs Click
Six free videos that explain codecs, containers and compression in the order to watch them, with a hands-on next step after each one.
HDR Video Has No Sound at the Start? 5 Fixes for LAV Filters Users
Why HDR films start silent on a Windows PC running LAV Filters, and five fixes - from switching HDR on first to one audio setting that stops the gap.
Amazon's Kindle Click Brings Page-Turn Buttons Back - Here's Which Kindles It Works With
Amazon's new Kindle Click remote and Page-Turn Cover bring physical buttons back - here is what they cost and which Kindles they work with.
How to Install FFmpeg on Windows 11 (and Actually Use It)
Get FFmpeg working on Windows in minutes - one-command or manual install, the PATH fix, ten everyday commands and free GUIs if you prefer buttons.
DivX 11.16 Drops Media Server - How to Keep Streaming Your Videos to the TV
DivX 11.16 removes Media Server and with it casting to smart TVs, consoles and Chromecast - here are the free ways to keep streaming.
The CD Turns 44: Sony's $3,700 First Player, and How to Rip Your CDs for Free Today
Sony's first CD player turns 44 - how the disc led to MP3 and LAME, and the free tools that rip your CDs today.
How to Run Chrome Portable From a USB Drive - No Install, No Admin
Put Google Chrome on a USB stick and use it on locked-down work, school or public Windows PCs, with the privacy settings and update routine that keep it safe.
DivX for Mac Still Can't Play HEVC - What Mac Users Can Use Instead
DivX 11.16 for Mac still can't open HEVC video or HEIC photos, nearly two years on - and the free Mac players that can.
Play H.265 Videos Free on Windows Using LAV Filters
How to get H.265 video playing in MPC-HC, PotPlayer and other DirectShow players with LAV Filters, GPU decoding switched on and the usual black-screen fixes.
Convert WAV to MP3 Without Losing Quality: The Right LAME Settings
The exact LAME setting and commands to turn WAV into MP3 with no audible loss, plus no-typing options and the one case where sample rate matters.
The New Fire TV Stick 4K Can't Run Kodi - Here's Which Fire Stick Still Can
Amazon's $60 Fire TV Stick 4K runs Vega OS, so Kodi, TiviMate and other sideloaded apps won't install. See what it plays and which Fire Stick still sideloads.
Latest reviews
AllJPEG XL Is Back in Chrome: What It Means and How to Open JXL...
5/5Brave just enabled it by default for stable users yesterday (1.97). Not specified is chromeOS will be passively gaining decode ...
The New Fire TV Stick 4K Can't Run Kodi - Here's Which Fire ...
5/5Thanks Daniel, glad it reached you before you checked out. One small correction: the 4K Max isn’t really ...
Free Popular IPTV Playlist: Where to Get Fresh, Legal M3U Li...
5/5Hi! Thanks for creating this list, and I have a small question: why do the channels I used to ...