When to use 32bit vs 64bit Codecs?

Having trouble playing all your different media types? Ask here!
Post Reply
User avatar
TheOsburnFamil

Posts: 322
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:52 pm
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

When to use 32bit vs 64bit Codecs?

#1

Post by TheOsburnFamil » Wed Mar 05, 2014 5:58 pm

So I got to wondering here recently, if your main HTPC is a 64bit install and you have extenders. Which codecs and splitters should you use? I've been having some MKV playback issues recently and I'm going to give the new .61 LAV Filters a go but now I'm wondering-- 32bit or 64bit?

Thoughts?
Matt O. ...tivo what? ...dish dvr--uh... huh? ...cable dvr fees--you're kidding, right?

barnabas1969

Posts: 5738
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:23 pm
Location: Titusville, Florida, USA

HTPC Specs: Show details

#2

Post by barnabas1969 » Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:38 pm

You should probably install both. But, it really depends on whether the program you're running (in this case, ehshell.exe) is 32 or 64 bit. As I understand it, ehshell.exe is 32 bit, so it would use the 32 bit codecs. Shark always recommends installing both of his versions on a 64 bit machine, but I don't know if this is necessary for a 32 bit program to work correctly or not.

In any case, make a system image backup of your system before you mess with codecs.

User avatar
holidayboy

Posts: 2836
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:44 pm
Location: Northants, UK

HTPC Specs: Show details

#3

Post by holidayboy » Wed Mar 05, 2014 8:21 pm

32 bit Windows runs 32 bit Media Center.

64 bit Windows runs 64 bit Media Center.

64 bit Windows runs 32 bit Media Player by default (which can catch people out when double clicking a file in Explorer to see if it plays correctly).
Rob.

TGB.tv - the one stop shop for the more discerning Media Center user.

IownFIVEechos

Posts: 696
Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:29 pm
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

#4

Post by IownFIVEechos » Wed Mar 05, 2014 8:33 pm

holidayboy wrote:32 bit Windows runs 32 bit Media Center.

64 bit Windows runs 64 bit Media Center.

64 bit Windows runs 32 bit Media Player by default (which can catch people out when double clicking a file in Explorer to see if it plays correctly).
What determines which version the extenders use? The media center?

User avatar
TheOsburnFamil

Posts: 322
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:52 pm
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

#5

Post by TheOsburnFamil » Wed Mar 05, 2014 8:41 pm

IownFIVEechos wrote:
holidayboy wrote:32 bit Windows runs 32 bit Media Center.

64 bit Windows runs 64 bit Media Center.

64 bit Windows runs 32 bit Media Player by default (which can catch people out when double clicking a file in Explorer to see if it plays correctly).
What determines which version the extenders use? The media center?
And to follow both of these...

If 64bit Windows runs 32bit Media Player-- Does that mean 64bit Media Center will spawn the 32bit WMP? And if that's the case, 5Echos question maybe is moot? Sounds like 32bit only just to keep it simple unless someone knows for sure of the 64bit ones are used by MediaCenter/WMP and Extenders?
Matt O. ...tivo what? ...dish dvr--uh... huh? ...cable dvr fees--you're kidding, right?

User avatar
holidayboy

Posts: 2836
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:44 pm
Location: Northants, UK

HTPC Specs: Show details

#6

Post by holidayboy » Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:04 pm

AFAIK the version of Windows determines which codecs are used for extenders in mcx mode - 64bit Windows = 64 bit codecs, I've been known to be very wrong in the past though!

I think that's why Shark007 publishes his x64 add on - and provides MKV settings in them for extender users (Echo, or Xbox etc..)?

Although MC and WMP share the same libraries for music etc.. Media Center on 64 bit uses the 64bit wmplayer.exe for music playback (I think) - the two WMP executables just share the same database.
Rob.

TGB.tv - the one stop shop for the more discerning Media Center user.

User avatar
holidayboy

Posts: 2836
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:44 pm
Location: Northants, UK

HTPC Specs: Show details

#7

Post by holidayboy » Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:15 pm

Why not try just installing 32bit and see what doesn't play.

Then install the x64 bits :)
Rob.

TGB.tv - the one stop shop for the more discerning Media Center user.

User avatar
TheOsburnFamil

Posts: 322
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:52 pm
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

#8

Post by TheOsburnFamil » Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:22 pm

LOL Good point.

I just finished reading the initial shark readme guide and did see this:
Please know, the 64bit app controls playback in Media Center on 64bit Operating Systems
The 32bit app controls most other players such as the default WMP on any system
http://shark007.net/forum/Thread-Setup-and-usage

I'm guessing that's probably the answer right there.
Matt O. ...tivo what? ...dish dvr--uh... huh? ...cable dvr fees--you're kidding, right?

glugglug

Posts: 391
Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 1:34 am
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

#9

Post by glugglug » Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:35 pm

There is also a 64 bit WMP, which you could change to be the default, and then ignore 32 bit codecs.

Dkeyguy1

Posts: 163
Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2012 3:38 pm
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

#10

Post by Dkeyguy1 » Mon Apr 14, 2014 1:58 pm

I install both 32 bit and 64 bit every time(full packages) and everything always works.
I also don't introduce any other types to my systems; that may have something to do with success.

mdavej

Posts: 1477
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:52 pm
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

#11

Post by mdavej » Mon Apr 14, 2014 2:16 pm

glugglug wrote:There is also a 64 bit WMP, which you could change to be the default, and then ignore 32 bit codecs.
In case, like me, you're wondering how to do this: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... 50798d5113

User avatar
newfiend

Posts: 2503
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:10 pm
Location: Earth

HTPC Specs: Show details

#12

Post by newfiend » Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:11 pm

I also install both 32bit and 64bit codecs (LAV filters) and everything works. Then it doesn't matter if it uses 32 bit or 64bit players to play your content because then both will have the needed codecs to play it. I've had excellent results with LAV filters.

IownFIVEechos

Posts: 696
Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:29 pm
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

#13

Post by IownFIVEechos » Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:25 pm

I have done a new build and my thoughts are to use the LAVFilter codecs. In the past I have used Shark. I haven't tested extenders off the new build with the LAV install, but from what I read here is that I may have echo problems? My old build is working well with Shark. But I wanted to minimalize the install this time around. But in case I have to go to Shark again, he has four files. 32standard,64standard,32advance,64advance. I am building this on a Windows 7 Ultimate x64 machine. Can someone tell me what I should install? Thanks. Also can someone validate that the LAVFilters work fine on the echo?

mdavej

Posts: 1477
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:52 pm
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

#14

Post by mdavej » Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:46 pm

Who knows what the Echo can or can't play, but most of the files I've tried work fine with LAV. A few won't play at all or are missing video. Par for the course.

I don't know what to tell your regarding Shark. I've gotten myself into to some pretty bad predicaments with Shark, mostly due to my own ignorance I'm sure. LAV is pretty idiot proof.

IownFIVEechos

Posts: 696
Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:29 pm
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

#15

Post by IownFIVEechos » Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:09 pm

I just read the above link tutorial, I think I understand it. Got my head spinning. :crazy:

IownFIVEechos

Posts: 696
Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:29 pm
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

#16

Post by IownFIVEechos » Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:14 pm

With regards to LAV, does anyone allow LAV to do the work on .wtv files? On install I told it to do all but .wtv.

mdavej

Posts: 1477
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:52 pm
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

#17

Post by mdavej » Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:59 pm

If I use LAV for wtv, I can't play back protected content. I can't think of a good reason to use LAV on wtv.

User avatar
newfiend

Posts: 2503
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:10 pm
Location: Earth

HTPC Specs: Show details

#18

Post by newfiend » Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:58 pm

I found this little tutorial quite informative regarding LAV http://www.thehtpc.net/htpc-tips-and-tw ... subtitles/ Hope this helps you guys out. I used this method and it worked really well for me.
newfiend~

Dkeyguy1

Posts: 163
Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2012 3:38 pm
Location:

HTPC Specs: Show details

#19

Post by Dkeyguy1 » Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:23 pm

When I install all of Shark007 codecs, 32 bit and 64 bit (advanced, now, but both work fine), I don't change anything from default installation settings. Just un-check extras......
The current release firmware on echo works fine with this without messing around. If need be, a person can make one change on mkv tab to work with echo. Only if needed.
I don't make any setting changes for LAV. They all work fine. In the past, if another program made changes to the way certain "codecs" functioned, just open Shark settings,
both 32 and 64 bit, and click reset all. Since I quit trying to use any thing else or tweak settings, everything works fine.

Post Reply