The most important software for digital video management is here distributed in common categories. All software here is for Windows platform and most of it is Freeware.

To easily add playback support for most video formats including DivX, XviD, OGG and Matroska, get the DivX Total Pack. We also recommend you to download a good video player such as MPC or RadLight from this section.

Please remember that the codec packs will install decoders only. This means they are unable to encode or recompress media. Please install the required codecs separately to perform audio and video compression.

  Software Categories

Codecs and Filters

Codecs for digital media playback and encoding

DVD Software

Tools for DVD ripping, authoring, region protection removal, etc.

Misc Utilities

Other useful tools that do not fit other categories

Players

Software for playback of video content such as AVI, DVD, etc.

Subtitle Tools

Applications for subtitle creation and edition

Video Capturing

Programs for video capturing and TV tunning

Video Edition/Conversion

Software for video edition and conversion/encoding

  Codecs and Filters

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MPEG 1/2 decoder

Decoder fitler for VCD and other MPEG playback

v0.1.2

DivX Total Pack*

Pack with the most common decoders and filters

XviD Codec

Video codec with excellent image quality

v1.1.0

DivX Codec

The latest DivX video codec version

DivX 3.11

Classic low/high motion codec

v3.11

Matroska Pack Lite (included in DivX Total Pack)

Adds support for MKA and MKV files

Lite

WMV9 codec

Windows Media 9 video codec

v9

XP Codec Pack

Another complete codec pack

QuickTime Alternative (with MPC)

Filter for QuickTime content playback

v1.4.8

Real Alternative

Filter for RealMedia content playback

v1.4.2

AC3 Filter

Ffilter for playback of AC3 audio streams

v0.69b

AC3 ACM Decompressor

Convert audio AC3 to MP3 or WAV in VirtualDub

Fraunhofer MP3 codec

Codec for MP3 audio encoding and decoding

Lame ACM MP3 Codec

MP3 audio compression with ABR / CBR bitrates

VirtualDub Subtitler filter

Filter to subtitle videos with VirtualDub; view guide

Mode2 CD filter**

Filter to read mode 2 discs; view guide

beta 6

VSFilter / DirectVobSub

Adds subtitle support for most video players

* The DivX Total Pack includes: DivX decoder, XviD decoder, Matroska splitter, Ac3filter, Ogg splitterm DivXAudio, Morgan Stream Switcher, DivXantifreeze, etc.

** The Mode2 CD filter here is used to read XCD discs created with Mode2 CD Maker.

  DVD Related Software

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CladDVD

Simple and compact DVD ripper

DVD Decrypter

Excellend and easy to use ripper; view usage

v3.5.4.0

FlaskMPEG + Filter for IFO files

DVD to AVI encoder with good features

Smart Ripper

Lots of features but too complicated, outdated

v2.41

DVD Idle

CSS and region protection removal tool

DVD Lab Pro

Complete DVD authoring suite; view guide

Elby CloneDVD

Powerful and complete DVD cloning tool

Vidomi Encoder

Powerful and simple DVD to AVI encoder

Related guides:

• DVD to DivX conversion with Vidomi

• DVD backup with CloneDVD

• DVD ripping with DVD Decrypter

Some CD/DVD rippers require an additonal ASPI driver. To install it, simply unzip the file and run INSTASPI.BAT.

  Misc Utilities

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ASPI driver

Driver required by certain CD/DVD rippers

v1.8

AVI Preview

Preview incomplete AVI video files

v0.26a

DivFix

Rebuild the index of incomplete AVI files

v1.06

DivXRepair

Repair fozen and distorted frames

v1.0.1

DivXLand Bitrate Calculator

Calculate video bitrates for DivX/XviD encoding

v2.8

DivXLand Web BitCalc

The same DivXLand Bitrate Calculator, but online

Mode2 CD Maker

Create mode 2 CD images; view guide

v1.6

RadLight Filter Manager

Register, unregister, and change filter's priorities

WinX2D

Convert the FourCC code of AVI files; usage

v3.03.05

GSpot

Find out the codecs used in AVI files

v2.2.1

PlayCD

Compact CD player with CD-Text and FreeDB support

v2.0.2

* With the Mode 2 CD Maker you can create larger image files to burn in standard CD-R and CD-RW, without using overburning of any kind. View guide and details here.

  Media Players

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BS.Player

Popular player, but not quite stable

Global DivX Player

Very compact player, uses Winamp 2 skins

v1.9.9

Media Player Classic

Powerful, simple and compact player

QuickTime Player

Play MOV and H.264-encoded video clips

RadLight 4 Final

Media player with modular architecture

v4 Final

Windows Media Player 6.4

The classic and compact WMP version

v6.4

Windows Media Player

Latest media player from Microsoft

ZoomPlayer

Powerful player that uses a QuickTime stlye GUI

v5.00

  Subtitle Tools

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DivXLand Media Subtitler

Create, edit and fix subtitle files fast and easily

v2.0.6

SubRip

Extract subtitles from VOB files (DVDs)

v1.17

DVD SubRipper

Another DVD subtitle ripper

v0.44

Subtitle Studio

Basic subtitle editor from RadLight, discontinued

v2.0 r2

Subtitle Workshop

Complete but quite complicated subtitle editor

v2.51

Sub Station Alpha

Complete SSA subtitle scripts editor

v4.08

  Recommended Articles

description

Aspect ratios explained

Standarized MPEG formats specifications

Permanent subtitles guide with VirtualDub

Video playback troubleshooting guide