Whoa, we may need to slow down on the celebration over
out of the box h.264 codec support in
Windows 7, with reports from developers indicating the beta OS blocks the usage of third party decoders under Windows Media Player and Media Center. Of course, the included codec support would obviate third party installs for many users anyway, and until we get an official
release candidate we can't be sure how things will stack up in the retail experience.
Digitalwerks has run down the sources, noting that third party solutions like VLC and Media Player Classic could still serve as workarounds, but Media Center Extender heads will want to keep a close eye on things going forward.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dagamer34 @ Mar 26th 2009 10:22PM
3rd parties won't be allowed to override codecs for which Windows already has support built-in for them. Non-Windows supported codecs will still be supported.
It's better this way because codec packs often screw up your system replacing codec support that was already working.
John Drinkwater @ Mar 28th 2009 8:18AM
And DivX/XViD support overrides system mpeg4, so don’t you have a problem now?
Wes @ Mar 26th 2009 11:04PM
Not always better dagamer34.
I kind of prefer being able to overwrite some of the default codecs with other codec. Some with special features like codec signed to use the gpu for doing decoding rather than my cpu thus allowing h.264 playback with low cpu usage and so-so gpu usage allowing me to watch a 1080p blu-ray movie on monitor one while grinding some mobs in an mmorpg of my choice on monitor two.
If the codec ms chooses was cpu intensive, it might lag my game when playing high def videos which would bite. Especially if there was a better codec but my os would not allow me to install it.
With that said, this might just be a rumor and the final version could work differently. Or maybe a workaround will exist for overwriting default codecs. People tend to find ways to hack the windows os pretty frequently to add functionality or in this case restore funcationality where was removed.
David S @ Mar 26th 2009 11:38PM
The Windows 7 codecs aren't as feature complete as others like CoreAVC and FFDSHOW, thus locking codecs from Windows Media Center would be the end of WMC as an enthusiast HTPC platform. I seriously hope the issue in 7057 was just a bug.
Gekke Henkie @ Mar 26th 2009 11:56PM
Do I smell another $500 million fine for preventing fair competition and monopoly-misuse?
DrXym @ Mar 27th 2009 5:52AM
Native H264 support is way, way, way overdue in Windows and Silverlight. And if anything the reason its taken this long is Microsoft hoping that if they dragged their heels and aggressively pushed WMP9 / VC-1 that H264 would go away. While VC-1 has had partial success in some mediums (e.g. 30% of BDs use it drawn largely down studio lines) it hasn't been a game changer. Microsoft's competitors, be they Adobe (in Flash), Sun (in Java / JavaFX), Apple (Quicktime / iTunes) or at the codec level such as DIVX all support H264. And the industry demands this support. I expect VC-1 will still play a role in Microsoft's DRM plans, but hopefully H264 will takeover elsewhere.
acme @ Mar 27th 2009 9:00AM
If its true, this won't end well. Tversity needs very specific codecs to work properly, and I needs mah streamin media!!
JayC @ Mar 27th 2009 9:30AM
I'd love to just have native support so I don't have to mess with 3rd party codecs.
Peter F @ Mar 27th 2009 10:49AM
I'm willing to accept it too as long as it covers a lot.
extinctdoughnut @ Mar 27th 2009 9:57AM
What's up with the Recorded TV, "TV with DISH Network"?
Loban @ Mar 27th 2009 10:12AM
Screw VLC, GOM player FTW.
Talal Al-Ammar @ Mar 27th 2009 10:30AM
Oh Please Microsoft please don't go the Apple route!!!
I have enough trouble with my Iphone!!!!
besides if they cut off 3rd party support, they'll push all us hobbyist to the curb!
Eric @ Mar 27th 2009 10:43AM
Considering h.264 is a Quicktime technology, it's not surprising they would do this. It's the same as their proprietary Java or Kerberos. If they were standards-compliant, that would lead to other technologies they didn't develop in-house possibly hurting their monopoly on PCs.
Believe it, they will not allow 3rd party codecs, but someone will find a way to disable their meager attempts.
DrXym @ Mar 27th 2009 3:24PM
H264 isn't a Quicktime technology. The MP4 container format is based on the Quicktime container but not the codec. But MS does have a well documented record of subverting open or industry formats at every turn. VC-1 isn't a bad codec, it's just redundant.
Peter F @ Mar 27th 2009 10:48AM
Don't jump to conclusions. Everyone thought that Microsoft was purposely blocking 3rd party apps for media center a few months back. Then it turned out that APIs and other things changed in the beta.
Wait for an official announcement. Just because 1 3rd party developer didn't get a personal phone call from MS explaining the new update in 1 build doesn't mean ANYTHING, yet..