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38 MA XIMUMPC MARCH 200 5
ENJOY THE
INTERNET CINEPLEX!
We’ve all been there. You’ve excitedly
downloaded an unknown video
referred to as “OMG—teh funniest
video evar!” from a message board,
only to discover that the video won’t
play. Maybe you can hear it, but
there’s no video; or maybe it just
won’t play at all. As connoisseurs
of quality Internet video ourselves,
we understand how frustrating this
situation can be. We’re here to make
sure it never happens to you.Tools of the File Trade
That clip you downloaded of some
skateboarding dumbass’s spectacular
encounter with pavement has had its
contents compressed with one or more
of a staggering number of available
codecs (compressor/decompressor).
In order to watch it, you’ll need the
appropriate codecs installed on your
PC. But which ones will you need?Sometimes, the file
extension will reveal
the answer. WMV
files, for instance, use
Microsoft’s Windows
Media codec;
naturally, these
files are playable
in Windows Media
Player (although you
might need to update
WMP to the latest
version).
Most of the time,
however, you’ll
have no clue as to
which codecs you’ll
need. One option
is to download
a codec pack—a
comprehensive
collection of the
latest versions of
every codec that
whoever compiled
the pack was able
to dig up. Google
“codec pack” and you
might be tempted to
download one of many
codec packs. But we
don’t recommend it.
Most codec packs have
their own installers, and
this should give you
pause—you have no idea
what that executable
could do to your PC. That
convenient codec pack
might also be throwing
in a keystroke logger,
a virus, or enough
spyware to transform
your 3GHz P4 into the
performance equivalent
of a Mac Classic. Avoid
the temptation.Instead, mosey over to http://www.headbands.
com/gspot/ and download the G-Spot
Codec Information Appliance (no
snickering). Despite its wonky name,
it’s absolutely essential for serious
video grazers. Install and launch
the application, and wait just a few
moments for it to scan your PC for
installed codecs.
After that, all you need to do is
drag the mystery video into the Path
box at the upper left corner. The
required video codec will be reported
in the Name box of the Video section.
Just beneath that, the Audio section
will report the necessary audio codec
(if the clip includes sound). The gray
Stat boxes in each window will even
tell you whether or not you have the
necessary codecs installed.Software Disobedience
Remember that clunky gray box
called Windows Media Player from
a few years ago? Well, it’s back and
taking on a new life—a life of crime.
It’s been resurrected—in a manner
of speaking—in the form of an
application known as Media Player
Classic (Google the term, as updatesare moving targets). Media Player
Classic became popular as a result
of two programs floating around the
net—QuickTime Alternative and Real
Alternative. These executable files
install the codecs necessary to play
QuickTime and RealMedia files from
within Media Player Classic.
The attraction is obvious: No
more hand-to-hand combat trying tokeep QuickTime out of your system
tray, and RealPlayer... well, why?
But we don’t need legal counsel
to figure out that both of these
“alternative” codec installers likely
infringe on Apple’s and Real Audio’s
intellectual-property rights. And,
once again, are you sure you know
what’s in that executable?If a video won’t play properly, run it through
G-Spot to discover what codecs you need. The
“codec is installed” message in the upper right-
hand corner tells us we’re in like Flynn for this
particular video.You can download some codecs directly through
Windows Media Player, but click “Yes” only if you
entirely trust the company sending the codec.