ffvfw is a codec based on Video for Windows and DirectShow. It uses the libavcodec library from the ffmpeg project for compression and it offers support for several other compression libraries, too.

The last version of ffvfw, 20031028, has been launched more than a decade ago and it is outdated.

It offers support for MPG1 and MPG2 FOURCCs and it works with the following file formats: WMV, MPEG1 and MPEG2.

ffvfw supports various compression methods: MPEG 4 compatible (Xvid, DivX 4, DivX 5) using libavcodec or XviD; Divx 3 compatible, MSMPEG4v2, MSMPEG4v1; WMV1/7, WMV2/8; H263, H263+; HuffYUV in YV12 colorspace; MJPEG; MPEG 1; Theora (support for this format is limited); MPEG 2 by using mpeg2enc code from MJPEGtools project; all Windows Media Video 9 supported encoders with output including ASF, WMV and AVI.

The most common encoding modes are supported with ffvfw: fixed quantizer, constant bitrate, fixed quality, two pass encoding etc.

Other advanced options you can enjoy by using this codec are detailed selection of motion estimation method (for libavcodec and XviD), selectable compression of starting and ending credits, the ability to use the libavcodec internal two pass code, selectable interlaced encoding, support for MPEG 4 quarterpel and GMC, image preprocessing with ffdshow image filters, second pass simulation which helps tweaking advanced curve compression parameters, decompression and graph during encoding if the encoding program doesn’t provide it.

In spite of its complex and useful features, this build is outdated (its last version was released in 2003) and it cannot provide support for the latest formats. Unless you need to open files compatible with this codec, it is recommended to look for an up-to-date application.

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Comments 4

ID622 frogger I was trying for hours to get virtualdub 32bit to load mpeg4 videos. I installed and uninstalled numerous versions of ffdshow, tried pasting the plugin from ffdshow directory to the plugins directory of vd, tried playing with the options, enabling virtualdub etc, but no success. The ffdshow codec would not load. Then I installed this one and it worked straight away. So for those who commented that ffdshow is the sane choice, they should think again.

ID621 humanblade There seems to be some confusion as to what ffvfw actually is. First of all, this build is outdated. ffvfw is now bundled along with ffdshow (which is MUCH more than an MPEG-4 decoder) and any sane person should just get a recent build of ffdshow if they require ffvfw functionality. For history's sake, ffvfw was a vfw (Video For Windows) interface for the ffmpeg (or a subset of) ENcoder set. it isn't meant to decode. certain programs expect a VFW interface (VirtualDub for instance) and this allowed the ffmpeg set of encoders to be used with these programs. Again, if you require this functionality, get ffdshow. Be warned though at the time of this writing the recend builds actually won't allow you to encode xvid or x264 as it was deemed to unstable/moving target. ffshow project is recommending people use standalone xvid or x264 to encode. if you can't be bothered, find a ffdshow that was built circa Feb 2011 or so (i believe, double check for yourself) Long winded, but there it is. Enjoy ffdshow, folks!

ID620 Cautious Downloader Installed it and couldnt get it to decode MSMPEG42 so I uninstalled it, while uninstalling it put a file called WININIT.INI in the Windows folder that Spybot says is a piece of Malware called Freshbind. Maybe it was a false alarm but I wont install it again.

ID619 Jack Hammer Installed and tried to run ffvfw, only problem is that it can't. Everytime i tried to load up it cannot load 'Avi syth', i don't know what this problem is, it could just be because i have winXP i really don't know. But from the configuration it looks a great program, i wouldn't advise you not to download it, just saying if you have problems your not alone.

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