why do we need programs like vlc?

Why is it that we need to download media software like vlc player or codecpacks in order to play videos with different formats than for example .wmv. Why doesn't Microsoft or Apple include all the codecs in their own software?

btw Apple should either get rid of quicktime for the PC or reinvent it, it is ridiculous.

quicktime apple format windows media vlc codecs player codec video formats windowsmediaplayer microsoft

asked Jun 11 '11 at 13:24

mmarius1
16●1●1●2

You need QuickTime for many things in Windows.

(Jun 11 '11 at 13:32) Jackster1337

What are you talking about? VLC media player is awesome.

(Jun 11 '11 at 13:33) The Boss

5 Answers:

oldest newest most voted

Actually it's very good that we CAN do this. If we relied on the OS to support all possible video formats we would not be able to keep pace with the frantic innovation in this area them as quickly. Sometimes it's much better to separate things from the os and actually have software available to handle it. Just like preferring a plumber and an electrician working in discrete areas rather then having a "Handy Man" do it all. In the case of VLC anyway it does SO MUCH MORE then just play media anyway.

answered Jun 11 '11 at 13:33

pawprint_net
151●1●3

I disagree with you there. If its not about money, they'd might as well add the codecs that are already out there. I could still download vlc if i wanted to. I dont see the point in keeping it seperate from each other.

(Jun 11 '11 at 22:01) mmarius1

The problem is looking at this from a limited user perspective of just media playback. I do professional video editing and transcoding - I need and want control over the codecs on my system - sometimes even the specific version of a particular codec. This is not part of an "operating system" it's one of the main problems in Windows today - far too much bloat and sticking fingers into things that don't relate to the OS. @eddieringle is also correct - given their agendas it's doubtful the OS makers would actually include all of them anyway and so we would be back to fiddling around to make things work. Personally I'd be happier if the OS people focus on making better and more stable OS stuff - and leave all the other functionality to subject matter experts.

(Jun 12 '11 at 08:50) pawprint_net

1) Licensing costs: Microsoft and Apple have to pay money for every copy they sell to the owners of the codec. This is, of course, not applicable to any free codecs they distribute.

2) Arrogance: Microsoft and Apple have invented their own codecs, which they believe to be superior. They don't support others because they want their codecs to be used more than the others.

answered Jun 11 '11 at 13:35

eddieringle
2.3k●7●16●44

Good answer. I think .movs won't play in Windows because Apple will charge a lot of money because they want people to get QuickTime and iTunes. And with QuickTime they want people to upgrade to Pro to get features that are free in every other media player/picture viewer...

(Jun 11 '11 at 19:54) Joel

.mov's DO play in Windows with the free version of QuickTime ...

(Jun 13 '11 at 03:07) BlazeEagle

They would have, but Microsoft have gotten into a lot of trouble bundling things with there operating systems. like Internet Explorer, they have to offer different Internet browsers.

if they supplied all kinds of software to do anything on computers, people would complain that they are having a monopoly on the programs and not giving any competition to anyone else.

not only that, but they would then start to add things that are not really needed, it would take time and recourses to develop, and make the operating system bloated with things people wont probably use. not everyone needs a program to play video's (like business/office usage) so other developers make them. software is a huge business that needs competition to develop and improve things.

answered Jun 12 '11 at 15:07

roguekiller23231
4.2k●72●104●142

0	We need it because Whales are the most endangered species in the world right now but ants are doing just well. answered Jun 13 '11 at 05:31 Yogi 955●96●103●119

0	We need it because Whales are the most endangered species in the world right now but ants are doing just well. answered Jun 13 '11 at 05:32 Yogi 955●96●103●119

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