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Guides for Codecs and Media Players

262 guides on codecs, media players and the tools around them.

10 new in the last 7 days

Updated Sep 11, 202618,170 views5 min read

Opus vs Ogg Vorbis: Which Audio Codec Should You Use?

A plain-English comparison of Opus and Ogg Vorbis, covering which one sounds better, which one older hardware still plays, and how to open either file.

Updated Sep 10, 20263,798 views5 min read

How to Add Multiple ISOs to One USB with YUMI exFAT [2026]

Create a multiboot USB with Windows, Linux, and rescue tools using YUMI exFAT - no reformatting required between ISOs.

Updated Sep 10, 202659,911 views5 min read

How to Play HEVC/H.265 Files with PotPlayer

Set up PotPlayer for HEVC/H.265 video in four steps, with the free OpenCodec add-on and the fix for the 'not supported in S/W mode' error.

Updated Sep 10, 202612,956 views5 min read

YouTube Subtitle Font: Roboto, Free Download and How to Match It

YouTube captions fall back to Roboto rather than being fixed to it, so here is where to get the font free and how to match the styling around it.

Updated Sep 10, 20262 comments191,238 views9 min read

How to Reinstall Default Codecs in Windows 11 and 10 (and the Old XP Method)

Reset or reinstall the codecs Windows ships with on Windows 11 and 10, plus the original Windows XP and 2000 method.

Updated Sep 9, 20266,226 views5 min read

The Rise of AI Slop: What It Is and How to Spot It in a Video File

What AI slop is, what it looks like inside a video or audio file, and how to tell a bad source from a missing codec.

Updated Sep 9, 202641,251 views6 min read

AAC-LC vs AAC-HE: Which One to Use, and at What Bitrate

AAC-LC and HE-AAC are the same codec with one trick switched on, and the bitrate you are encoding at decides which of them you want.

Updated Sep 9, 202644,618 views3 min read

How to Fix the 'Divide Error in Module IVIAUDIO.AX' Message

Why the divide error in IVIAUDIO.AX happens on WinDVD and Sound Blaster Live systems, and the two commands that stop it.

Updated Sep 9, 20267,815 views6 min read

GeoVision Files Won't Open? Install the GeoVision Codec and Play CCTV AVI Files

Why GeoVision CCTV recordings play as a black screen on a normal PC, and the two-minute codec install that fixes it.

Updated Sep 9, 2026115,343 views6 min read

Windows Media Player Won't Download Codecs Automatically? Here Is What Replaced It

Why Windows Media Player no longer downloads codecs on its own, and the two free installs that supply them today.

Updated Sep 9, 202615,018 views4 min read

foobar2000 Guides: Setup, Components, Converting, Streaming and DSD

The hub for every foobar2000 guide on the site - setup, components, converting, streaming, DSD and the Android app.

Updated Sep 9, 202678,006 views6 min read

Codecs and File Types Windows Media Player Supports on Windows 11 and 10

Every format Windows Media Player plays on Windows 11 and 10, plus the free extension or codec pack that covers each gap.

Updated Sep 8, 202628,201 views6 min read

Transform Your Media Player with LAV Filters: Setup, Hardware Decoding and Bitstreaming

How to install LAV Filters, make your DirectShow player use them, and switch on hardware decoding and audio bitstreaming.

Updated Sep 8, 202613,869 views7 min read

VLC for Android: Install the APK, Play Any File, Subtitles

A beginner's walkthrough of VLC for Android, from installing the APK to playing MKV and HEVC files, loading subtitles and fixing audio sync.

Updated Sep 8, 202697,592 views6 min read

How to See, Add and Remove Codecs in Windows 11 and 10 (and Windows 95/98/Me)

How to list, add, remove and disable codecs on Windows 11 and 10, with the original Windows 95, 98 and Me method.

Updated Sep 8, 20269,255 views8 min read

Is Cracked Software Safe? The Real Malware Cost in 2026

Why cracked software and fake AI tools are the main route for password-stealing malware onto home PCs in 2026, and which free downloads do the same job.