codec support

[Hubert Figuiere]

On Thursday 03 August 2006 12:53, Mathieu Charron wrote:
> well... lets get back on topic ;)
>
> Since w32codec is grey, is there a alternative? like free mp3, mp4, divx,
> xvid, aac, aac+, wav pcm, mp2, and other?

All the one you list are supported  by ffmpeg which is open source.
There seems to be a very big confusion with "patent encumberance" which does 
not preclude an open source implementation, and prorpietary undocumented 
format for which the only solution is to violate the code binary licenses.
win32codecs is only for the latest.

> I know that ogg is open source (or something) but what about the other?

or something. Again that is where there is a huge confusin. Ogg (Vorbis in 
fact, since Ogg is just the container like QuickTime .mov or Windows .avi) 
has been developed with one goal in mind: providing and patent free high 
quality  sound codec. Theora being the same for video.


>
> It's pretty much hopeless for the wma and wmv.

Old wmv and wma are supported by ffmpeg as well.


Hub