Video Codecs for Windows 7

[Khamsin]

Which codecs utilize hardware decoding of certain video formats (such as H264, MKV, etc.), for onboard chipsets that require it (such as Intel GMA500) for smooth playback?

[fishstix]

sorry I lumped them together, I guess I had it confused since they were initially released around the same time when I first tried both.

[Zosi]

Which codecs utilize hardware decoding of certain video formats (such as H264, MKV, etc.), for onboard chipsets that require it (such as Intel GMA500) for smooth playback?

The GMA500 (as well as almost all recent ATI/Nvidia cards) supports DirectX Video Acceleration (DXVA), so you don't need any special codecs to offload processing for the formats that your hardware supports itself. You just have to configure everything on the player side so that there's nothing blocking DXVA from working - which can be a bit of a bitch. (Instructions are for MPC-HC, and have always worked for me. YMMV)

Now, there's also a different type of hardware acceleration that uses GPGPU stuff like CUDA. I haven't had the means or need to play around with that, but as far as I know, that's something that has to be implemented in a codec itself. I know that CoreAVC supports CUDA on PC and Quicktime supports it on Mac, I don't know the status of CUDA support in other codecs or frameworks.

[aers]

Khamsin if your intent is to use DXVA with anime, keep in mind that a lot of h264 anime ends up encoded with profiles DXVA doesn't support. Dunno about scene TV, etc. though.

[toonces]

Windows7 has some pre-install codecs that get screw up if you install divx and other codec packs. If you just installed win7, reinstall and install the latest CCCP (win7) compatible pack. (If you still having problems after the EVR tip)