How to tell what codec a Video was compressed with...

[Zeaul]

Hey I was wondering if there was any way you could find out what codec a video file was compressed with. For example I downloaded a movie off the internet, but I cannot import it because I do not have the proper codec. SO I figured if I could find out what the video was compressed with I could seek it out and install that particular codec. Hopefully that might work, stupid .avi file. Thanks.

[Lyrs]

Hey I was wondering if there was any way you could find out what codec a video file was compressed with. For example I downloaded a movie off the internet, but I cannot import it because I do not have the proper codec. SO I figured if I could find out what the video was compressed with I could seek it out and install that particular codec. Hopefully that might work, stupid .avi file. Thanks.

I'm thinking this is a "legal" file, right? If that's the case, try www.divx.com

or try this:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=n ... avi+codecs

It is truly an avi file you are working with, right?

[Scintilla]

If you're running Windows XP, call up the AVI file's Properties, then under the Summary tab, click the "Advanced >>" button if it's there. If it's not, or after you've clicked it, there should be a part at the bottom that lists the video information, including the codec. I'm not positive that this works if you don't have the codec though, but I thought it was a good place to start.

[Arigatomina]

You might also try checking the 'file properties' in VirtualDub, it's good for xvid/divx encoded files.

[SS5_Majin_Bebi]

You might also try checking the 'file properties' in VirtualDub, it's good for xvid/divx encoded files.

This will only work if the appropriate decompressor is available, which is the problem hes trying to deal with in the first place.

Just go get ffdshow. itl cover most codecs. Then you can find out what you're missing.

[risk one]

You might also try checking the 'file properties' in VirtualDub, it's good for xvid/divx encoded files.

This will only work if the appropriate decompressor is available, which is the problem hes trying to deal with in the first place.

If it's not available Vdub will show the fourcc (like "DIV5") in the error message. Type that into google and you're likely to stumble on to the name of the codec.

[Pwolf]

http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

This program will tell you what codec and if you have the decoders in order to play them.


Pwolf

[Zeaul]

Okay I discovered the video was compresed with the Xvid codec, and I have it installed but it still will not import into Premiere (6.5). Keeps giving me "unsupported compression format" error. I believe it is an AVI file, the GSpot program confirmed it. I've seen other people with similar issues but I can't seem to find an answer that works.

[Pwolf]

you don't want to edit with xvid anyway. convert the file to huffyuv, if you have the space, or try using avisynth with the AviSource() command.


Pwolf

[Zeaul]

I tried using AviSynth as well but when it loads the AVS file all that shows in the video is some red lettering. Is there a .DLL file I need to D/L inforward to get AVI's to work with that? I have some of them as I have used Avisynth before with other files but not AVI files.