Mic wrote:What is a codec / how do they work?
A codec is a device or program capable of encoding and/or decoding a digital data stream or signal.
Basically media players like Windows Media Players or any other sort that plays things like mpegs, avis, wmas, etc, need codecs to play some media that is encoded a certain way such as xvid or divx.
Even DVD players you buy have codecs inbuilt into them to play stuff.
You can download codec packs online (just do a simple google search) that cover most of your codec needs enabling you to play any media, sometimes some media will only play sound or only visuals without the codec installed too.
When you download the codec, just run the exe file it is and it'll add everything for usually.