Useful guides and tutorials related to codecs and multimedia.

239 guides on codecs, media players and the tools around them.

How to Play MKV Files on Windows 11 (and Why Some Refuse)

20 Aug 2026 977 views

Windows opens MKV on its own, so when one refuses to play the fault is a track inside it - here is how to find which one and fix it.

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How to Register and Unregister DLL and AX Codec Filter Files

19 Aug 2026 649.195 views

The one command that installs a DirectShow filter on Windows, plus the elevation and 64-bit rules that stop it working.

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What Is a Codec? The Plain-English Guide

19 Aug 2026 267.318 views

What a codec actually is, why everything you watch is compressed, and whether you still need to install any.

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Codecs vs Containers: Why Your Video File Won't Play

18 Aug 2026 15.299 views

A plain-English guide to the difference between codecs and containers, and how to work out which one is stopping your file from playing.

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Best LAME MP3 Settings for Music, Podcasts and Audiobooks

18 Aug 2026 8.790 views

One table of LAME VBR settings for music, podcasts and audiobooks, and where to enter them in LameXP, winLAME, Audacity and CDex.

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FLAC Explained: Play, Convert and Archive Lossless Audio

18 Aug 2026 24.453 views

The lossless format explained in plain terms, with the players that handle FLAC out of the box and the free encoders worth using to build an archive.

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How to Burn an ISO to DVD With ImgBurn

18 Aug 2026 7.055 views

The five steps that burn an ISO to disc correctly in ImgBurn, plus the write speed setting that quietly causes most failed discs.

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MPC-BE vs MPC-HC in 2026: Which One Should You Install?

17 Aug 2026 57.022 views

A 2026 comparison of MPC-BE and MPC-HC, two actively maintained free Windows players, and which one suits your files.

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Is Nero Still Worth It? The Free Tools and What Beats Them

17 Aug 2026 6.827 views

Nero hands out four free programs and sells the rest, so here is which ones are worth installing and which free rival does the same job better.

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Convert Audio with foobar2000 - FLAC to MP3 and More

17 Aug 2026 46.093 views

Both foobar2000 conversion routes - Quick Convert for a fast one-off, the full Converter for folder structure and presets, plus the encoders MP3 output needs.

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How to Play FLAC Files in Windows Media Player

17 Aug 2026 30.858 views

Which Windows versions play FLAC in Media Player without a codec, which ones need one, and how to fix a library that files every album under Unknown Artist.

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How to Play HEVC Files in VLC Media Player

17 Aug 2026 281.114 views

The complete VLC setup for H.265 video, from hardware acceleration to fixing choppy 4K playback, green screens and audio that drifts out of sync.

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How to Install FFmpeg for Audacity

14 Aug 2026 20.998 views

The two-minute fix for Audacity refusing to open M4A, WMA and AC3 files, including what to do when it cannot find the FFmpeg library.

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MPEG-1 vs MPEG-2 vs MPEG-4: What the Difference Actually Is

14 Aug 2026 25.461 views

A plain-English map of the MPEG family, from MPEG-1 and MP3 through DVD-era MPEG-2 to MPEG-4, H.264, HEVC and the .mp4 container itself.

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Don't Open a .xmpeg File Before Reading This

14 Aug 2026 73.386 views

What a .xmpeg file really is, why the Efimer Trojan uses the extension as bait, and how to check or delete one without infecting your PC.

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'Get This App From Play Store' Error on Android - How to Fix

13 Aug 2026 2.050 views

A plain-English fix for the Android error that lets an app install and then refuses to let it open.

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The 3 Most Popular Video Codecs Used Worldwide in 2026

13 Aug 2026 12.515 views

A plain-English look at the video codecs that actually carry the world's video in 2026, and which one you need installed on your PC.

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StaxRip vs HandBrake: Which Free Video Encoder Should You Install?

12 Aug 2026 12.672 views

A straight comparison of StaxRip and HandBrake, covering what the two free encoders actually share, where they really differ, and which one fits your machine.

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FFmpeg vs Adobe Media Encoder: Which One Should You Actually Use?

12 Aug 2026 6.488 views

A practical comparison of FFmpeg and Adobe Media Encoder, with real commands, real subscription costs, and the free middle option most people actually want.

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