Users often find programs on the computer, the origin and purpose of which they do not even know. Among them is Ffdshow, which is a media decoder used to decode a video stream in MPEG-4 ASP, AVC and other formats with high speed and accuracy. What kind of software it is, what functions it performs on a computer, and also how it can be installed and configured, we will consider.
What is this program and what is it for
The OS has software that is responsible for various tasks, including the processing and output of audio and video data (filters). In conjunction with filters, splitters and renderers also function, thanks to the interaction and well-coordinated work of which the content becomes available for viewing and listening.
Ffdshow is a set of audio and video codecs with a post-processing streaming system. The video stream is decoded at high speed, as a result, we get high definition video without delays. The software is stable and can be configured for specific tasks, the configuration of audio and video settings is carried out through the corresponding decoder dialogs, and this configuration will not depend on the player used. Codecs are adaptable to different operating systems, and the settings system is flexible and allows you to bypass conflicts of incompatible codecs.
Considering what kind of program it is, we also note that, working as a DirectShow and Video for Windows filter, Ffdshow can be embedded in almost any media player under Windows . This is the main feature of the software. So, there is no integrated player for playing content in the program and media container parsers, but Ffdshow is embedded in applications already installed on the computer, for example, standard Windows Media, KMPlayer, Winamp and other players. Any DirectShow-compatible media player uses this decoder by default. For this reason, there is no need to install a separate codec for each of the many supported audio and video formats.
The software appeared in 2002, becoming an alternative to DivX 3.11 and DivX 5.02 decoders. Although the official language is English, the program supports many languages, so you can choose the Russian option during installation.
How to download and install this program
Ffdshow is distributed free of charge under the GNU General Public License version 2.0 (GPLv2), so the software is available to anyone and can be downloaded for personal or commercial purposes. You can download the current version by following the link (choose the required distribution kit for the 32-bit or 64-bit version ).
The program is not demanding on resources; a computer or laptop with minimal system requirements is enough for its operation:
- Up to 10 MB of free disk space (Ffdshow will take only 4.8-5 MB);
- RAM – 1 GB;
- Video card – from 256 MB;
- 3 Hz processor.
The above specifications may be required when it comes to processing high-quality video, such as 720p or 1080p. In other cases, a weak device will cope.
After downloading the distribution, a standard installation is assumed. It is better not to touch the settings offered during the installation by the system if you are not an experienced user, otherwise you can get problems in the future in the form of incorrect audio and video playback.
How to set up Video Decoder
All necessary settings can be made in the program interface; before configuring, you will need to close all open players and other applications. Setting up Ffdshow is not difficult, for this:
- In the Windows menu, find the folder with the installed program, go to the Video decoder configuration, a list of active codecs will be available in the window that opens.
- The right side of the settings area displays all the codecs in the system, active or disabled, they can be set as priorities for a particular media player, while each codec can be disabled if desired.
- General settings are displayed on the left side of the window. Here you can also manually adjust the parameters with the ability to create a profile with a given set of settings, filters, etc. It is also possible to disable or enable the simultaneous start of several Ffdshow filters.
- At the bottom of the program window, there are buttons for confirming or canceling actions (“Confirm”, “Ok”, “Cancel”), as well as export of settings.
ATTENTION. In the absence of the appropriate knowledge and skills, it is best not to change the settings, as incorrect settings may affect the result of content playback.
Ffdshow software is a useful tool that includes a set of filters and codecs, working with different decoding packages. By the way, the program does not load the system at all, so if you have it installed, then you do not need to remove it.
