Windows 7 uses its own DirectShow filters for decoding several audio and video formats. Using third party filters instead of the native filters is not possible without making changes to the Windows Registry.

This tool allows you to configure your preferred DirectShow filters with just a few mouse clicks. It is quick, easy, and changes can be always undone.

If you for example prefer to use ffdshow or CoreAVC for decoding H.264 video then you can do so by using this tool.

This tool is particularly useful for the Microsoft players, such as Windows Media Player and Media Center. Certain advanced third party players, such as Media Player Classic, are capable of using third party filters without the need for this tool.

Important Note
The changes made by this tool only have effect when a player uses DirectShow.

Windows Media Player and Media Center use Media Foundation instead of DirectShow for playing certain file formats. In that case they will use the Microsoft decoders. Examples of file formats that are played using Media Foundation are: .m2ts, .mp4, and .mov.

This tool can set the preferred filter for the following video formats.

• H.264
  
• MPEG-4 (Xvid/DivX/MP4V)
  
• MPEG-2
  
• VC-1 and WMVA
  
• WMV1/2/3
  
• AAC
  
• MP3
  
• MP2

Supported Third Party Filters

Only the filters listed below are currently supported by this tool. Requests for additions of other filters can be made on our forum.
Currently supported third party filters (32-bit)

• ffdshow
  
• MPCVideoDec
  
• CoreAVC H.264 decoder
  
• Xvid MPEG-4 decoder
  
• DivX H.264 decoder
  
• DivX MPEG-4 decoder
  
• DiAVC H.264 decoder
  
• DScaler5 MPEG-2 decoder
  
• Gabest MPEG-2 decoder
  
• Cyberlink H.264 decoder (PDVD 7/8/9)
  
• Cyberlink MPEG-2 decoder (PDVD 7/8/9)
  
• Cyberlink VC-1 decoder (patched with VC1Tweak: guid {394DFD1B-6F4C-4096-AA14-EF852B02595B})
  
• ArcSoft H.264 decoder
  
• ArcSoft MPEG-4 decoder
  
• ArcSoft MPEG-2 decoder
  
• ArcSoft VC-1 decoder (patched with VC1Tweak: guid {9DAD7B50-4432-4F48-AC60-B2B4E854454B})
  
• Purevideo MPEG-2 decoder
  
• NVIDIA MPEG-2 decoder
  
• MONOGRAM AAC decoder
  
• Broadcom H.264/MPEG-2 decoder

Currently supported third party filters (64-bit)

• ffdshow
  
• MPCVideoDec
  
• CoreAVC H.264 decoder
  
• Xvid MPEG-4 decoder
  
• Gabest MPEG-2 decoder

Supported Formats (Media Foundation)

This tool can disable the use of Media Foundation for the following file extensions:

• .3gp
  
• .3gpp
  
• .avi
  
• .m4a
  
• .m4v
  
• .mov
  
• .mp4
  
• .mp4v
  
• .wav