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The best audio and video information programs for Windows

Depending on how you use your Windows PC and where videos that you want to play on it come from, you may have no troubles doing so or notice that some video or audio files won't play correctly on your system.

You may see a black screen when you load a video in your favorite media player, have no audio while the video plays fine, or notice other issues such as slow playback or files that cannot be played at all.

Experienced users know that these issues are usually codec related. Without going into too many details, codecs are used by media players to playback video files that require them.

Video files require an audio and video codec which can result in situations where the video plays but the audio does not or vice verse.

This best of list reviews programs that help you find out which codecs you need to play back select media files on your system.

Tip: Some media players, VLC Media Player or SMPlayer for example, ship with their own sets of codecs so that they can play most media files without any issues. Even if you don't use them as the main system player, you may want to use them as backup players.

Requirements

  • The program must be compatible with all recent versions of the Windows operating system.
  • A free version of the program needs to be available.

The top list

The list starts with a quick summary of each program that includes the most relevant information about it. You find a comparison table afterwards and then finally recommendations.

Avicodec

avicodec

Avicodec displays information about one or multiple media files that you load into the interface. For each file, information about the audio and video codec are displayed directly.

Additional information are displayed at the bottom of the window for the selected file. Here you find links to websites where codecs can be downloaded among other information.

Codec Installer

codec installer

Please note that the program contains an adware offer in the installer. Make sure you uncheck it during setup if you don't want to install it.

Codec Installer can analyze individual media files which you need to load using the built-in file browser. The program displays various information about the codecs used and whether it thinks that all codecs are installed properly.

You can test that with a click on the render button which attempts to render the file. Results are displayed in the interface so that you know if the file should play fine or if a codec is missing.

A click on the question mark displays detailed information about the codec including web download links for it.

Gspot

gspot

GSpot has not been updated since 2007 which means that it may not detect codecs properly that have been created in recent years. It is still one of the best programs of its kind.

Drag and drop a media file into the interface to receive information about it. This includes information whether the right codecs are installed or if the file length is correct or if is is broken.

You can furthermore run tests to find out if specific audio or video codecs support the selected media file.

Media Info

media info

It is advised to download a portable version of Media Info as other versions may include adware. To do so click on "are also available" on the main page to display all download options.

Drag and drop one or multiple video files into the program interface to display audio and video related information in it. The program supports several view modes, from simple which displays basic information only to detailed information in text form.

Media Info displays links to websites where missing codecs can be downloaded. What sets the program apart is that you can load media files in bulk into its interface to quickly check them out all at once.

Media Tab

mediatab information

The program integrates itself directly into the Windows Explorer properties window. When you right-click one or multiple video or audio files and select properties from the context menu, tabs for each are displayed in the window that opens.

Here you find detailed information about the format in general as well as video and audio specific information. It is still necessary to search on the Internet for a codec manually though.

Moo0 Video Info

video info

You can drag and drop media files to the program window after you have installed the application on your system. It displays container, video and audio information in its interface that can help you determine which codec is required to play the file properly.

While it displays the information, it is up to you to find the right codec as it does not provide you with the information. This means usually that you have to copy the codec as displayed by the program to run a search on the Internet for it.

Movie Scanner

movie scanner

Movie Scanner is a basic application that allows you to load individual media files or all files in a selected folder. It displays information about the codecs used as well as related media information such as the resolution or file size.

It lacks options to find or download required codecs though which means that you will have to do so by yourself.

Video Inspector

videoinspector

It is advised to download the portable version of the program as other versions offered for download may ship with adware.

What sets VideoInspector apart from many other solutions is that it checks whether a codec is installed already and indicates this, and displays download links to save the video or audio codec to the system in case it is not.

It displays relevant information in its interface, checks whether the file is complete or corrupt, and can be used to start playback right from within the interface.

Related Tools

Codec Sniper scans all installed codecs on the system and displays whether they are in working condition or not.

Codec Toolbox checks for codec problems and issues on the system, and provides you with information on how to resolve them.

K-Lite Codec Tweak Tool detects broken codecs and DirectShow filters, and can remove broken ones from the system.

Comparison Table

Program Name Portable Codec Links Formats Other
         
Avicodec no yes avi, divx, asf, wmv, real, ogg, mpeg, flv, more bulk checks
Codec Installer no yes many but unknown adware installer
Gspot yes no many but unknown run tests
Media Info yes yes mpeg-1/2, H.263, Mpeg-4, H.264, Mpeg Audio, AC3, DTS, many more bulk checks
Media Tab no no many but unknown Windows Explorer integration
Moo0 Video Info no no avi, flv, mkv, mpg. Mov, mp4, rmvb, tp, ts, vob, wmv, more  
Movie Scanner no no many but unknown bulk checks
VideoInspector yes yes many but unknown context menu integration

Recommendation

VideoInspector, the portable version, is without doubt the most complete program. While it lacks options to check media files in bulk, it offers everything else that you could possibly want including links to download missing codecs from the Internet.

If you require bulk checking, you may want to try Avicodec or Media Info instead which both offer that.

This article was first seen on ComTek's "TekBits" Technology News

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