Free Windows-based media codec that allows advanced file compression without diminishing quality
Free Windows-based media codec that allows advanced file compression without diminishing quality
Popular programs in Codecs
What is XviD Codec
Xvid is one of the most widely recognized, universally supported, and popular compression programs for video. A codec, of course, compresses video so that it occupies much less space on disk, or transmitted much faster. Xvid's codec runs on PC running Windows or Linux, or on Mac. The Xvid codec boasts a whopping compression rate, as much as 200:1, and can be used on a variety of platforms. As an extra bonus, since it is open source, there is no charge for the Xvid codec.
Anyone who has had to send or store a lot of files to someone, e.g., a group of photos, can appreciate the utility that ZIP has brought to the user. Just as .zip files deliver maximum beauty with minimum beast, the Xvid codec pulls out every bit of a video file that is not needed to deliver video quickly and accurately.
The many tools included make this a very complete offering for the handling of video streams for many applications. Configuration for encoding and decoding are included, single pass or two-pass encoding, for example. Sliders help to find the happy place for each project between compression and quality. Presets allow you to use the same settings later. Control motion search precision. Display the encoding status of your file. Things like the target quantizer may be used or left still. Expert users will be tweaking happily away in no time!
A mini converter is also included with the codec, as is a statistics analyzer and an uninstaller. The mini converter is a special jewel that will bring the user great joy upon the realization that the video completed and ready for streaming isn't MPEG4, but WMV or some other format that's incompatible with Xvid. Ahem, was incompatible.
As impressive as all these tools are, beware the urge to tweak things if you don't know what they do. But what a great learning experience for the uninitiated! Download the Xvid codec today, and stream everywhere.
Pros:
- High compression
- Low loss
- Free
- It can be used on a Mac, through Perian
Cons:
- Does not currently work with Quicktime
- Very complex, so newbies step carefully