Codecs

The information on this page needs to be updated to reflect the current status of AniDB.

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When adding video codec data, we don't want the FourCC value, but the actual codec used to encode the video.

Why is that?

Groups often change the FourCC to increase "compatibility" so adding the FourCC is sometimes just wrong. However, many modern groups set/leave it to the correct value, and modern containers (Matroska) have no need for FourCCs anymore.

Anidb serverside codeclist

as we munched together some codecs on the anidb side to less clutter the codeclist and as some of them are just not worth to add here some notes about them:

H.264/AVC

this covers x264, h264 and other codecs from the AVC profile. If you feel like it specify the actual codec in the videostream comment field. (AOM .6 will/should add a note about it)
(DON'T ADD SORENSON HERE! It's an incomplete implementation of h.264)

Xvid

just xvid. often encoder hide this one bedind "div4" for higher "compatibility" (lets all blame deathwolf for that)

ASP other

this basically covers all ASP codecs not currently listed
add a note to the videostream comment field. (AOM .6 will/should add a note about it)

this covers, but is not limited to:

• 3ivX
• lavc

DivX Unk

BS that will get killed once AOM .6 is out and autocreing those makred files to the correct codec.
DON'T USE!

DivX 3

(also known as DivX ;) )
hacked version of the MS Mp43 codec, which is a MS bastard implementation of MPEG-4

DivX 4

first rewritten version and now standard implementation of MPEG-4 by the divx group.

DivX 5 (also DivX 6)

2nd rewritten version by the divx group. DivX 6 doesn't differ enough to add a seperate entry
If you feel like it specify the actual codec in the videostream comment field. (AOM .6 will/should add a note about it)

MPEG-1

MPEG-1 is a 1990 standard used to compress audio and video (AV) digital data. MPEG-1 defines a group of AV coding standards agreed upon by MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group). MPEG-1 video is used by the Video CD format. The output quality at usual VCD bit rates is roughly that of a VCR.
(source: wikipedia)

This includes VCD and SMPEG files.

MPEG-2

MPEG-2 (1994) is a standard used primarily to compress audio and video (AV) digital data. MPEG-2 is the designation for a group of coding standards for AV, agreed upon by MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group), and published as the ISO/IEC 13818 international standard. MPEG-2 is typically used to encode audio and video for broadcast signals, including direct broadcast satellite and Cable TV. MPEG-2, with some modifications, is also the coding format used by standard commercial DVD movies. (source: wikipedia)

This includes SVCD and DVD files.

MS Mp4x (also WMV1/2)

Microsoft based non-standard implementations of MPEG-4 This covers

• Ms Mp41
• Ms Mp42
• Ms Mp43
• Windows Media Video 7 (also WMV1)
• Windows Media Video 8 (also WMV2)

If you feel like it specify the actual codec in the videostream comment field. (AOM .6 will/should add a note about it)

other (non ASP)

This covers mostly legacy codecs, but is not limited to those

• Indeo Video 5 (IV5)
• Vivo
• VP3/4/5/6/7
• Theora
• Sorenson

Specify the actual codec in the videostream comment field. (AOM .6 will/should add a note about it)

RealVideo Other

RealVideo is a proprietary video format developed by RealNetworks. It was first released in 1997.

• RV10: RealVideo 5, first version of RealVideo. (identical to H.263)
• RV20: RealVideo G2; RealVideo G2+SVT (based on H.263)
• RV30: RealVideo 8

(Source: Wikipedia) If you feel like it specify the actual codec in the videostream comment field. (AOM .6 will/should add a note about it)

RealVideo 9/10 (also RV40)

• RV40: RealVideo 9; RealVideo 9 EHQ; RealVideo 10

Windows Media 9 (also WMV3)

Microsoft based non-standard implementations of MPEG-4.

AOM .5

The following is a table showing the codec detection rules used by AOM .5, in order: FourCC, Codec, short name of codec, codecid

('div3',      'DivX 3 Low-Motion',  'DivX3',    '3'),
('div3/div3', 'DivX 3 Low-Motion',  'DivX3',    '3'),
('div4/div3', 'DivX 3 Fast-Motion', 'DivX3',    '3'),
('div5',      'DivX 5.0',           'DivX5',    '7'),
('dx50',      'DivX 5.0',           'DivX5',    '7'),
('xvid/dx50', 'DivX 5.0',           'DivX5',    '7'),
('divx/dx50', 'DivX 5.0',           'DivX5',    '7'),
('divx',      'DivX 4 (OpenDivX)',  'DivX4',    '5'),
('divx/divx', 'DivX 4 (OpenDivX)',  'DivX4',    '5'),
('DIVX/DIVX', 'XviD',               'XviD',    '17'),
('xvid',      'XviD',               'XviD',    '17'),
('xvid/xvid', 'XviD',               'XviD',    '17'),
('xvid/divx', 'DivX 4 (OpenDivX)',  'DivX4',    '5'),
('mp42',      'S-Mpeg 4 version 2', 'MS MP4x', '18'),
('mp43',      'S-Mpeg 4 version 3', 'MS MP4x', '18')

Avdump/AOM .6

Avdump looks at fourcc and the metadata in the file. Meaning it will accurately (as much as possible) present the right codec.

Trustworthy programs

• Avdump