How to Choose Headphones for Gaming and Music
A plain guide to choosing headphones for gaming and music, including which of the numbers on the box are worth reading and which are pure marketing.
CODECS.COM articles
Guides and News on Codecs and Multimedia
550 guides and news articles on codecs, media players and the tools around them, newest first.
How to Create Opus Files with MediaHuman Audio Converter
A step-by-step walkthrough for converting audio to Opus in MediaHuman Audio Converter, including what to convert from.
How to Preview SVG Files in Windows File Explorer
Two free ways to make Windows File Explorer show your SVG artwork instead of a blank icon, and what to do when the thumbnails still refuse to appear.
Is LAME MP3 Encoder Still Worth Using in 2026?
Whether the MP3 encoder that everything else runs on is still the right choice, now that it has started shipping releases again.
What Is a HIF File? Canon and Sony HEIF Photos Explained
What a .HIF file from a Canon or Sony camera really is, and the two free add-ons that make Windows open it.
FOURCC Codes Explained, With a Full Reference List
A reference list of four-character codec codes, with what each one means and why MP4 files do not use them.
CDs Are Selling Again. Your Laptop Probably Cannot Read One
CD revenue jumped by more than half in the first half of 2026, on machines that mostly cannot read a disc any more.
Where to Download Free Ebooks Legally
A verified 2026 list of where to download free ebooks legally, plus how to fix the files that arrive in the wrong format.
How to Check Which Bluetooth Codecs Your Phone Supports
A one-minute walkthrough for finding your phone's Bluetooth codec list, what a greyed-out entry means, and why your choice keeps reverting.
How to Play Xvid and AVI Files on a Firestick
Why a Firestick will not open old Xvid AVI files, and the free Amazon Appstore player that fixes it.
What Is AVC1? The H.264 Tag Inside Almost Every Video File
What the avc1 tag in an MP4 file actually means, how it differs from avc3, and how to read the profile and level string that comes after it.
DeepSeek AI in 2026: How to Download It and Is It Worth It?
What DeepSeek V4 is now, the four ways to run it including on your own machine, and an honest answer on what the free price actually costs you.
OpenAI Astra Launches: Browser Control and Hidden Reasoning
OpenAI's most capable model yet can operate a browser on its own, and it shows less of its reasoning than the one before it.
How to See Which Codecs Are Installed on Windows
Where the installed codec list lives in modern Windows, and why it shows far less than is actually on your PC.
Audio Codec Tag Not Supported? Find Your Number Here
A lookup list of audio codec tag numbers in both hex and decimal, with what to install for each one.
Graphic Design for Kids: The Free Tools That Actually Fit Each Age
A parent's guide to the free drawing and design tools that actually suit each age, with the popular recommendations that no longer hold up.
Windows Says Virus Protection Is Off. Microsoft Says It Is Not.
Microsoft has confirmed that the "Turn on virus protection" pop-up appearing on Windows 10 and 11 is a false alarm, with no fix released yet.
Davinci Resolve Video Editor for Android: Fact or Fiction?
Davinci Resolve is a professional-grade video editing and color correction software developed by Blackmagic Design.
Downloading Movies and Shows on MX Player
MX Player is a versatile video player and streaming platform that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content, making it a popular choice among users.
Best Bluetooth Codec in 2026: What Actually Changes the Sound
A plain comparison of every Bluetooth audio codec worth knowing in 2026, and an honest answer on when the choice actually changes what you hear.
Latest comments
AllInteresting development with the Fire TV Stick 4K — losing Kodi sideloading is a big deal for a lot of users. For those ...
News: The New Fire TV Stick 4K Can't Run Kodi - Here's Which Fire Stick Still Can 3 commentsThanks genius, it worked for me. v2.4.149.0 on windows 10
Guide: How to Download HEVC Video Extension for Free 181 commentsXMediaRecode gives only the option to Copy (No convert) in Audio Mode drop down. I am trying to convert/recode the EAc3 ...
Team replied Guide: How to Convert EAC3 Audio to AC3 or AAC With XMedia Recode 1 comment