After the Vista Codec Bible, here's a slightly less detailed version for 7MC. Aim: get best quality, including from network, with the lowest CPU, within 7MC, with fast forward & rewind, (auto) resume, and both audio stream switching and subtitle stream switching enabled, mainly for AVI's (DivX, XviD,...) and MKVs. Important note: this guide is based on a 32-bit installation of Windows 7. Not sure if everything would work as indicated under x64.

Introduction - Goals and Decisions:

1. This Guide is about DivX, XviD and MKV playing in Media Center (with Media Browser). I'm not interested in other players. Or in other codecs atm. 
2. MediaControl must work in Media Center. This allow fast forwarding and rewinding, and switching audio and subtitle streams from within mediacenter (preferably with a quick menu or a keypress on the media remote), and do so at least with DivX, XviD and MKV files (tested with MP3 and AC3 audio).
3. Text-based subtitles (.SRT) must be rendered clearly and sharply. That means: yes to DirectVobSub / VSFilter (poligonizing / doubled resolution to enhance clarity), no to ffdshow for subtitle rendering. Sub resolution should adapt to the video resolution / display size as well.
4. Subtitles must be selected automatically based on the file name, and the tool must be able to show e.g. a language identifier placed at the end of the subtitle file name (e.g. "Hancock.EN.srt", "Hancock.FR.srt", "Hancock.EN Comments.srt" must display in WMC as "EN, FR, EN comments" when switching subs)
5. DivX and XviD picture quality must be at least as good as what is currently obtained with DivX7, with the "Full Deblocking with Sharpening" option.
6. H.264 MKV decoding is expected to be of a good quality of course, but also stutter-free when playing from a NAS device (which eliminates the Gabest splitter, unless a newer version is out) and have no problems with sub / audio switching (which eliminates the DivX 7 MKV splitter), all this while keeping CPU usage within reasonable limits [CoreAVC with CUDA will be tested, but then everybody doesn't have an NVidia card with CUDA].
7. Using MediaFoundation would be very nice indeed, but apparently that's just not possible with the requirements above at this moment.
8. Using DXVA acceleration would be nice too, but see point 7. Unless I've been badly informed, using DirectVobSub disables DXVA. Hit me if I'm wrong.
9. I know about codec packs. Though I don't like them (I've used them plenty, and regretted it even more) there ARE some pretty decent ones out there. Use Shark's if you must have one. It's better than most of the competition.
10. This guide is not "for dummies". If you want an easy and quick solution that will cover most needs, see the last point above.

INSTALLING THE TOOLS:

1. Install DivX7 [WARNING: do NOT use any release newer than the August 2009 release 10.1.2.38 (with DivX Codec 6.8.5]: get the latest one here.
   In the installation choices, you must deselect (remove) the MKV Splitter under "DirectShow Filters". You could also do without the DivX Player, the DivX Web Player and the Converter. And without Google Chrome.
   
   VERY IMPORTANT WARNING: the October 2009 release of DivX 7 messes everything up. It took me weeks to find out what's wrong: DivX files with multiple audio tracks wouldn't play at all, some files with AC3 audio would output static instead, FFDShow Video Decoder wouldn't load, DivX Demux would load instead of the AVI Splitter, disabling or lowering the DivX Demux would cause both XviD and DivX to be loaded at the same time for sime files, while DivX and DivX H.264 would be loaded at the same time for others... the list of the problems is endless.
   If you have these problems, get and older release of the DivX 7 package and uninstall it over your current one.
   You won't find the older version on the official site, so you'll have to look around. If you really can't find it, send me a message.
   UPDATE: I've opened a support request at DivX Support. In the meantime here's the old version: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6568VYXK.
   I hope I'm not gonna get in trouble for posting this, but I'm only temporarily offering an older version of a free tool so I hope it's OK.
   
   
   
2. Install XviD [recent build, tested with 1.2.1 (Jan 25 2009)] (just in case), don't set it as default for anything. Install it stand-alone, or install it together with AutoGK (great tool to rip to DivX or XviD with multi audio & sub tracks). AutoGK will also install AviSynth and VobSub, which includes DirectVobSub/VSFilter 2.23, but that must be upgraded.
   
   
3. Install Haali Media Splitter (aka Matroska Splitter): either the current release 1.9.42.1 [Jan-09], or the Windows 7 beta version 1.9.63.13 here. I prefer the beta right now. At installation, accept all defaults. The options should be: all selected except AVI support and MPEG-PS support.
   
   
4. Install Ffdshow (a recent release) from here [tested with ffdshow_rev3078_20090917_clsid]. I recommend CLSID's builds.
   During installation, at the "Additional Tasks" dialog, let "Reset all ffdshow settings" enabled, disable "Decode video formats", enable "Raw Video", disable "Decode audio formats", enable MP3 (libavcodec or libmad, as you with - tested with libavcodec), enable Raw Audio Raw Audio and Volume Normalization.
   
   
5. Install the AC3Filter (most recent release, tested with 1.63b) from here (download the "full" version). Don't install the Language files & doc unless you need them.
   
   
6. Install HeadBand GSPot from here, then upgrade it to the latest release found here (simply overwrite the files in \Program Files\GSpot).
   
   
7. Install / Upgrade DirectVobSub (VSFilter) to version 2.39 found here (get the "DirectVobSub 2.39 with installer - for Windows 2k/2k3/XP/Vista"). This replaces only "vsfilter.dll", and the file will display version 1.0.1.5. Then install (simply overwrite) this with the newest beta ("DirectVobSub 2.39 [2009-06-24] without installer - for Windows 2k/2k3/XP/Vista"). This displays file version 2.39.5.2.
   Then search your entire system drive for "vsfilter.dll" and make sure you've got exactly the same version of the file everywhere. As W7's search will not find it easily, first go to "Program Files" then search for "vsfilter.dll" using Windows Explorer. You can simply copy/paste to replace it. If you installed AutGK, there'll be an older vsfilter.dll in "\Program Files\AutoGK\filters".
   
   
8. Install MediaControl (current version: 6.0.2) from here. Install the VC++ runtime if asked. If this keeps coming back and the runtime has been installed, first empty your TEMP folder(s) and/or change the TEMP variables for the user & system to e.g. "c:\temp" and try again. May need to reboot for this.
   At the "Select Additional Tasks" dialog, deselect "Media Control Entries in Media Center" and everything below it.
   
   
   IMPORTANT WARNING: the 6.0.3 release of MediaControl messes things up badly.
   The installation goes fine and the Test Program works fine too, but inside MediaCenter none of the special keys work, and ffwd / rew also don't work.
   The "good working" version 6.0.2. can still be found at http://damienbt.free.fr/Changelog.htm
   
   
9. Install MediaBrowser from here (optional, but really essential). Possibly compile a more recent build from SVN than the download version. There's a FAQ on how to do this (I wrote it).
   
   
10. Optional: get Media Center Sudio here to edit the Windows 7 Media Center menus -- e.g. put MediaBrowser and My Videos on the same menu "bar" as TV, rename TV to "TV and Video", that kind of stuff....
    
    
11. Install MediaInfo from here (optional, but precious). It's needed by MediaBrowser for video information anyway. Its explorer plug-in will give you lots of info on video files just by hovering over them. Get the latest "GUI Installer".
    
    
12. Optional: Install CoreAVC Professional. Get a trial or purchase the full version here. A discussion on this will follow below later.
    

WHAT'S IT ALL FOR?

1. DivX 7: to decode DivX and XviD files with "Full deblocking and sharpening", which gives the best DivX / XviD image you can have in Media Center; and to decode MKV files with excellent quality, while not having issues with stuttering which other codecs have. [Note: re. DivX Labs WMF-capable MKV preview: see bottom].
2. XviD: just as a precaution and fallback, and if you want to rip to XviD files.
3. Haali Media Splitter: to "split" the MKV into streams, and allowing sub & audio stream selection. Haali has fewer stuttering problems than Gabest's and DivX's splitters.
4. Ffdshow: while not used for actual decoding for the most important codecs, Ffdshow is necessary to allow (together with MediaControl) subtitle and audio stream selection, and fast forwarding, rewinding and "jumping" in DivX, XviD and MKV files.
5. AC3Filter: to decode and amplify the AC3 audio in video files.
6. HeadBand GSPot: to analyze which codecs are used, and in which order, to play a media file; and to change DirectShow codec and splitter priorities.
7. DirectVobSub / VSFilter: to display subs (also multiple subs) in high quality (especially SRT subs) while doubling image resolution, and work together with MediaControl to allow switching in Media Center.
8. MediaControl: see "ffdshow" above.
9. MediaBrowser: to display your series and movies in Media Center with synopsis, thumbs, covers, etc.
10. MediaCenter Studio: to edit the Windows Media Center start menu.
11. MediaInfo: to display detailed media file information (incl. audio & video streams, codecs, ...) in Windows Explorer and in Media Browser.
12. CoreAVC: alternative H.264 codec, very recommended if you have a CUDA-capable NVidia graphics card & drivers, else don't bother.
    
    

CONFIGURING THE TOOLS:

1. DivX Decoder: open the DivX Decoder Configuration Utility, make sure "Reduce CPU spikes" and "Support decoding of generic MPeg-4 video" are enabled; also enable "User advanced hardware overlay" if your system can handle it. In "Playback": enable Full Deblocking with Sharpening (this one's quite essential for DivX / XviD quality). In "Toolbar", leave "Show DivX logo watermark" enabled, so you can always see if DivX 7 is decoding your DivX, XviD and MKV files.
   
   
2. DivX H.264 Decoder: Open the H.264 Decoder Config. Nothing much to do. Everything should be enabled except "Use Default Encoding Settings".
   
   
3. Haali Media Splitter: Open the Media Splitter Settings. In "Options", "Compatibility", set autoload VSFilter = No. In "Input", set "Input buffer size" to 65536. In "Output", set "Decoder priority boost" to "on". In "Interface", make sure "Show tray icon" is set to "Yes".
   
   
4. Ffdshow Video: open the Configuration Tool. In "Codecs", all must be disabled except "FVFW", "FFV1" and "AVISynth". Enable the last "codec" (Raw Video) for all supported, and enable it for WMP11 too (also applies to WMP12). Go to "Show / hide filters" and hide all filters. Click OK to save & close.
   
   
5. Ffdshow Audio: open the Configuration Tool. In "Codecs", set "MP3" to "Libavcodec". Enable the last "codec" (Uncompressed) for all supported. Apart from these two and AviSynth, no codec should be enabled. Go to "Show / hide filters", and hide all except the Volume filter. Enable the Stream Switcher.
   In "Volume", enable Volume, Normalize, Regain Volume, Reset on Seek,  Show current levels. Set the Max. amplification to e.g. 400% or 600%,
   In Output, change the "Connect to" option from "any filter" to "DirectSound", and deselect "Apply only to S/PDIF output".
   
   
6. AC3 Filter: open the Config tool; click Cancel if this is the first time. In the "Main" tab, set "Master" (volume of all audio passing through this filter) to something loud enough without causing distortions; try something between 6 and 12. In "Mixer", you may want to set the Voice gain (e.g. 12) for clearer voices, and possibly set the Surround gain (e.g. 6) for stronger surround effects, depending on your system. Enable Auto Gain Control, Auto Matrix, Normalize Matrix, Voice Control, Expand Stereo. In "System", enable AC3Fitler for all but PCM. Set "Filter merit" to "Prefer AC3Filter". Set "Default audio renderer" to "Use Direct Sound by default", though this option may be unselectable (don't care). Enable "Show tray icon". Click OK to save & close.
   
   
7. Disabling some Windows Media Foundation components. Without this step, WMP and WMC are still going to user their Media Foundation-based codecs, no matter what you do. You can check this by analyzing one of your test files with GSpot (using MS A/V "1"). If any "DMO" codec shows, WMF is still being used.
   To change this this you need one of the many "Take Ownership" hacks (easy to find) so you can rename system files:
• Go to \windows\system32
• Take Ownership of MP3DMOD.DLL and rename it (e.g. MP3DMOD.DLL.W7)
• Take Ownership of DSDMO.DLL and rename it (e.g. DSDMO.DLL.W7)
• Restart your computer.
  
• If you don't have a Take Ownership hack, here's the code which you can save to a new .REG file and execute. After that, you can right-click on any file and select "Take Ownership" from the dropdown menu:
  
  Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
  [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\runas]
  @="Take Ownership"
  "NoWorkingDirectory"=""
  [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\runas\command]
  @="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F"
  "IsolatedCommand"="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F"
  [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\runas]
  @="Take Ownership"
  "NoWorkingDirectory"=""
  [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\runas\command]
  @="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" /r /d y && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F /t"
  "IsolatedCommand"="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" /r /d y && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F /t"
  
  
8. DirectVobSub: open "DirectVobSub Configure". In the "Main" tab, set the font to e.g. Trebuchet MS Bold 18, Border Width 1, Shadow Depth 2; PAR compensation: downscale. In and set the Resolution to "Doubled Resolution" and enable "Always load". In "Misc", verify that "Apply changes immediately" is enabled.
   
   
9. GSpot: in Options, Settings, disable "Enable Full File Scan When Possible". Make the application window wider, then close the program.
   
   
10. Windows Notifictions: right-click on the clock, Customize Notifications, enable Always show all icons (you can revert that when it's all finished) OR you'll have to set "Show icon and notifications" for all the icons you need at a later stage. Note that for some programs it'll have to be done several times (e.g. ffdshow audio in Media Player, ffdshow audio in MediaCenter, etc). You really need to see the AC3, Haali, Ffdshow and DivX systray icons for troubleshooting later. Tip: you can drag & drop icons from the "hidden" part of the System Tray to the "Visible" part, and they'll always go back to that position.
    
    
11. MediaControl: open the configuration problem. In "Remote control & keyboard", change "Start Page" to "Switch Audio Stream" and "Context Menu" to "Switch Subtitle Stream". Now you'll be able to use the Green and Blue buttons to switch sub and audio tracks. Under Notifications / Tricks, enable Resume Movie, disable "Show the streams menu", and make sure "Use Media State Aggregation", "Enable Media Experience" and "Enable Advanced Features" are all enabled. Click Commit Changes. Under Ffdshow configuration, click "Apply Minimal config" then commit changes again. Close the program.
    
    
12. For MediaBrowser installation & configuration, go to their website.
    
    
13. File Associations: now you need to make sure MKVs can be played in WMP and WMC. You can save the following code to a .REG file and execute it. If ever MKVs open in another program than WMP when double-clicked, you need to delete the following Registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.mkv

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mkv]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mkv]
"PerceivedType"="video"
"Content Type"="video/x-matroska"
@="MatroskaVideo"

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MatroskaVideo]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MatroskaVideo]
@="Matroska File"
"InfoTip"="prop:Type;{f29f85e0-4ff9-1068-ab91-08002b27b3d9}2;{64440490-4c8b-11d1-8b70-080036b11a03}2;{64440490-4c8b-11d1-8b70-080036b11a03}3;{6444048f-4c8b-11d1-8b70-080036b11a03}13;{0628D335-3AEF-4267-BD9F-CB6CD7712C99}2;Size"
"TileInfo"="prop:{f29f85e0-4ff9-1068-ab91-08002b27b3d9}2;{6444048f-4c8b-11d1-8b70-080036b11a03}13;{0628D335-3AEF-4267-BD9F-CB6CD7712C99}2"
"Details"="prop:Type;{f29f85e0-4ff9-1068-ab91-08002b27b3d9}2;{64440490-4c8b-11d1-8b70-080036b11a03}2;{64440490-4c8b-11d1-8b70-080036b11a03}3;{6444048f-4c8b-11d1-8b70-080036b11a03}13;{0628D335-3AEF-4267-BD9F-CB6CD7712C99}2;{0628D335-3AEF-4267-BD9F-CB6CD7712C99}1;Size"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MatroskaVideo\DefaultIcon]
@="%SYSTEMROOT%\\SYSTEM32\\wmploc.dll,18"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MatroskaVideo\Shell]
@="PlayWMP"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MatroskaVideo\shell\PlayWMP]
@="&Play in Media Player"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MatroskaVideo\shell\PlayWMP\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Windows Media Player\\wmplayer.exe\" /prefetch:8 /Play \"%L\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MatroskaVideo\shellex]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MatroskaVideo\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MatroskaVideo\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\PropertySheet1]
@="{5574006C-28F5-4a65-A28C-74DE6BFBE0BB}"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MatroskaVideo\shellex\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{327669A0-59A7-4be9-B99E-1C9F3A57611A}"

Preferred DirectShow Codecs:

Windows Media Foundation is used by default by WMP and WMC, and its codecs won't work with any 3rd party plugins (vsfilter) and splitters (haali) for the moment. So you need to selectively disable some of its parts to ensure your preferred codecs, filters, splitters and add-ons are used. It doesn't work just with increasing some filter or codec "Merits" (= priorities) like it used to in older versions of Windows, unfortunately.

If you don't do this, you'll probably end up in a situation where WMP starts in a small window and displays nothing, or a thumbnail (poster), and nothing happens.

• Open Registry Editor, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectShow\Preferred. Back this key up to a .REG file and KEEP IT SAFE ! (in case Live TV gets screwed up later...). You'll need this backup in case you remove an incorrect registry key in the steps below.
  
• Take Ownership of the 'Preferred" Registry key (folder) and everything inside, and give yourself full permissions: right-click, Permissions, Advanced, Owner, select Administrators, click Apply, OK, select the Administrators, give them Full Control and Apply.
  
• Get CLSID's [Praise Him !] DirectShow Filter Tweaker from here, information here. Current beta 1.7 build with MP3 support is here (this is the one you need, until the update is released on the main site).
  
• Start DSFilterTweaker 1.7 and set everything you can to DivX or FFDShow. Click Apply, ignore the first error message about x64 if you're on x86, Apply again and ignore the warning about the MP3 decoder.
  
• Next, I've found out that some of the registry keys under "Preferred" cause problems (examples: see the "Troubleshooting" section below). You need to remove those "bad keys" (either present by default, or placed there by selecting certain options in DSFilterTweaker). I've found them, by simply removing everything, then re-enabling features one by one and determining which are problematic. Now you need to delete them, and note that they'll be re-added if you reapply those options in DSFilterTweaker. The keys are in the registry location show above.
  
  Remember you first have to take ownership of the "Preferred" registry key to be able to change anything here. Now delete the following:
  
• {44495658-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}: was added by setting the XviD decoder to DivX in DSFilterTweaker
• {31435641-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}: was added by setting the AVC/H.264 decoder to DivX in DSFilterTweaker
• {5634504D-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}: was added by setting the MP4V decoder to DivX in DSFilterTweaker
• {58564944-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}: used for DivX 3 and 4 movies
  

To do this automatically, create a .Reg file with the following code and execute it:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectShow\Preferred]
"{44495658-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}"=-
"{31435641-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}"=-
"{5634504D-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}"=-
"{58564944-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}"=-

VERIFICATION:

• Find an MKV and an AVI (DivX or XviD, with MP3 audio) file, both with SRT subs. The SRT are needed to force DirectVobSub to appear, and it's the best means to troubleshoot codec, splitter & renderer issues.
  
• Open them in WMP
  
• Right-click on the DirectVobSub icon in the system tray (may need to configure Windows to always display all system tray icons).
  
• AVI file: you should see the following items at the bottom (under the subtitles info):
• A number for the Audio Renderer (e.g. 0005), but just ONE
• The Enhanced Video Renderer
• DirectVobSub (auto-loading version)
• Ffdshow Video Decoder
• DivX decoder filter
• Ffdshow Audio Decoder
  
• MKV file: you should see the following items at the bottom (under the subtitles info):
• A number for the Audio Renderer (e.g. 0011), but just ONE
• The Enhanced Video Renderer
• DirectVobSub (auto-loading version)
• Ffdshow Video Decoder
• DivX H.264 decoder
• Ffdshow Audio Decoder
• AC3filter
• The name & path of your MKV file.
  
• After opening DivX, XviD and MKV files, it's time to open the "Customize Notification Icons" in the Windows System Tray, and ensure "Show Icon and Notifications" are enabled for DirectVobSub, ffdshow video and audio, AC3Filter, Haali, DivX Settings Manager.
  
• Always remember: test with video files that have an associated .SRT file. If you don't have one, just take one for any video from the Net, it doesn't matter. And always right-click the DirectVobSub system tray icno (the green arrow) to verify which codecs are loaded.
  
• As an extra test, you can enable the OSD in FFDShow Video and Audio. Set the OSD colour to light yellow. It should always appear when you play any kind of video (if not, you've got problems). Also, if the OSD appears in blue for some videos, then wrong codecs are being used (probably the MP4DS Media Foundation codec). This latter issue is one of the consequences of using a "bad" version of the DivX 7 package, such as the October 2009 version; this is discussed in the installation section above.
  

TROUBLESHOOTING:

• If the AVI doesn't play (you only see a small black screen or a thumbnail in WMP): analyze the file using GSpot. Right-click the file, Open With Gspot, click the "1" button under "MS A/V". If you see the [Mpeg4s Decoder DMO], then the Windows Media Foundation codec is still being used instead of DivX. Solution: repeat the procedure with DSFilterTweak and the deletion of a few reg keys above.
  
• If Audio on the AVI is only distorted noise: open Ffdshow Audio config, Output, change "Connect To" to "DirectSound", and deselect "Apply only to S/PDIF output". May need to restart the computer.
  
• If you see the DivX decoder TWICE in the DirectVobSub menu (e.g. "DivX Decoder Filter" and "DivX Decoder 003"), you've left some of the "bad keys" in the Preferred DirectShow Codecs. See above. If nothing else helps, repeat the procedure but first delete everything under the "Preferred key" (make sure you've backed it up before !).
  
• If you don't see DirectVobSub, and you see TWO items whose name is a number, one of them is probably DirectVobSub (click to check). If so you've allowed the Haali splitter to preload VSFilter. Not sure if it's a bad thing, but I avoid it.
  
• If you still have bad noise insteaad of sound, you either forgot the Output options in ffdshow Audio config, or left some of the "bad keys" above.
  
• To verify splitter / filter / codec loading order, right-click a video file, add GSpot to the "Open With" list, and in GSpot click the "1" button under "MS A/V" to verify the order in which it will render.
  
• Now you have to know that as long as Media Foundation stuff is still loading (cf. Preferred DirectShow keys below), WMP and WMC will NOT use the same items / order as GSpot. GSpot shows how it's rendered using DirectShow, not WMF.
  
• Correct results in GSpot should be:
• For an AVI:
  (src) -> (A) -> [AVI Splitter] -> (B) -> [DivX Decoder Filter] -> (C) -> [ffdshow Video Decoder] -> (D) -> [DirectVobSub (auto-loading version] -> (E) -> [Video Renderer].
  (src) -> (A) -> [AVI Splitter] -> (B) -> [ffdshow Audio Decoder] -> (C) -> [Default DirectSound Device]
• For an MKV:
  (src) -> (A) -> [DivX H.264 Decoder] -> (B) -> [ffdshow Video Decoder] -> (C) -> [DirectVobSub (auto-loading version] -> (D) -> [Video Renderer].
  (src) -> (A) -> [AC3Filter] -> (B) -> [ffdshow Audio Decoder] -> (C) -> [Default DirectSound Device]
  
• For an AVI with multiple audio tracks, DivX Demux is sometimes used and causes problems. If so, you need to force the system to use the AVI Splitter. To do that start GSpot, open System, List codecs and other filters; find the DivX Demux, right-click it and lower its Merit to "UNLIKELY". DivX Demux causes problems with XviD and DivX AVI files with multiple audio tracks (not with MKV files). This problem will return each time you reinstall DivX.
  
• As mentioned way up above in the installation section, currently the October 2009 version of the DivX7 package messes up big time. You'll need the August version, or an earlier one, else nothing's gonna work properly (multiple audio tracks in DivX and XviD not working, wrong codecs loading, two video codecs loading at the same time, ffdshow video decoder not loading -- which means no ffwd / rew...). Bad, bad, bad.
  
  

CURRENT PROBLEMS:

• Subtitle switching from within Media Center while playing MKV files doesn't work at all. MediaControl doesn't "see" the subtitles. Possibly
  a problem in the communication between Media Control and Haali Media Splitter, I don't know. Workaround: minimize MCE and switch the subtitle using DirecVobSub's "green arrow" in the System Tray. This will only affect you if you have several subtitles and switch languages.
  
• Subtitle switching from within Media Center using the Media Control "context menu" doesn't work. They just don't do the switch. Use MediaControl's "Direct Commands" (= the red button by default) instead. This is a problem in Media Control itself.
  
  

THE FUTURE:

• Waiting for DivX Labs to bring out a stable Media Foundation-based MKV, DivX and XviD codec that gives the same (or better) quality than DivX7, with the same (or less) CPU usage, AND still allowing all subtitle and audio stream features like the current DivX7 does (through DirectShow, with DVobSub/VSFilter).
  
• The current "preview" release doesn't do any of this. It uses a massive amount of CPU when playing DivX or XviD files, only supports one audio stream, no subtitles, and none of the available tools can "connect" to its new codecs. As stated at the start of the guide, subtitle support, subtitle switching, multiple audio track support and audio track switching (WITHIN Media Center, please) are essential to me. There's a big world outside the US and the UK

THE CASE FOR COREAVC:

• CoreAVC is a well known commercial H.264 (MKV, etc.) decoder. It is not shareware, nor freeware. There is a trial version available, but getting the full, permanent licence will set you back around $ 15.
  
• CoreAVC only does H.264 - so, no ordinary DivX or XviD decoding. It can thus replace DivX 7's H.264 DirectShow filter. It still uses DirectShow, but it does so in a way that optimally uses your hardware, especially multi-core CPUs and the processing power of CUDA-enabled NVidia graphics cards.
   
• Who can benefit from using CoreAVC ?
1. Users with CUDA-capable NVidia graphics cards. Playing H.264 files requires between 15 and 25 % CPU for them (compared to 30 to 50% with non-CUDA hardware). Unfortunately, ATI users (such as myself, well on my MediaCenter anyway) are very much out of luck here. Bummer !
2. "Zappers" - users who fast forward, rewind, skip ahead and back a lot. Even on non-CUDA hardware, CoreAVC uses about 10% less CPU than DivX7's H.264 codec in this scenario.
3. Users who for any reason may (feel that they) benefit from using CoreAVC instead of DivX7's H.264 decoder.
   Note that if your CPU and non-CUDA graphics can't handle either: just use ffdshow with ffmpeg to decode H.264, it'll use less CPU than any other solution for you (about 25-35%).
   
• So, do I recommend CoreAVC ?
  Well, tentatively, yes, for the moment, and until I've had the time and means to compare actual picture quality between DivX7's H.264 decoder and CoreAVC.
  If you're gonna pay for a decoder (even if it's only about $15), it'd better be good, and performance isn't everything. Quality has to be at least as good as with DivX7's H.264 decoder. Still, if you don't feel like spending any more money, stick to DivX7.

I keep meaning to try and get to grips with multiple audio tracks etc..

next time i reinstall I'll give it a go.

Thanks for taking the time to post a guide

Frank,

 Thanks for taking the time to work all this out and post such detailed instructions. I have a question.

Will this allow me to play VC-1 (VC1) using DXVA (h/w accel)? I use an intel atom/nvidia ion based htpc in my bedroom that does not have the CPU grunt to decode HD with the CPU alone.

Also, will DD and DTS passthrough my s/pdif?

Thanks

Ben

Currently I have the Shark007 pack + Media control plug in installed.

I’m pretty happy with it and the only thing that bothers me is that I can change subtitles from within the 7MC to ffdshow only.

Will I be able to control subtitles for all codecs after following this guide?

It will word for DivX, XviD and MKV.

Though there is not always visual feedback (the shortcut menus from MediaControl don't always display).

That's why I recommend directly assigning MediaControl shortcut keys (green and blue buttons) to respectively sub and audio stream switching.

With the Shark pack, you're not using DivX 7 to decode DivX, XviD and H.264 (MKV) video.

Whatever people will say, the quality will be inferior. Only codec which MAY give as good or better results is rumored to be CoreAVC -- didn't check it though.

Should I consider this if I use Linksys Media Extenders extensively?  I'd like to be able to view some mkv files on the extenders (720P), but haven't dived into as the wife factor comes into play.

 I love the details of this post and plan to implement with a 10-22 fresh install of Win7.

I'll be curious to hear of other users experience.

- you know what would truly solidify this walk-though, short sample MKV, AVI files that can be downloaded and used in the test/verification setting.

This is extermly good / detailed information.

 Can you tell me though, if all I want to "change" is to have MediaCenter use ffdshow & AC3Filter for all my AVI & MKVs, (which have h264, xvid, mp3, ac3), how can I accomplish that without having to go through the bible, or change the way livetv is handled?

Thanks for the guide!

I followed the guide step-by-step and now I have these problems:

Mkv files:  when I double click the file the WMP shows me the message about an unknown codec. Then I see something like two ghost frames, one over the other smeared all over the screen with mostly green and pink colors.
Divx:   some movies will not play at all, some play but with distortions and pixilated.
  Some divx movies crush the media browser.
TV:   very pixilated with distortion
Sound:   only front speakers + center (no audio from the rear speakers)
  
Any idea about how to find and fix this problem. Which additional type of info should I provide?

With http://labs.divx.com/mkvwin7preview (uses Microsoft Media Foundation) you can play 1080p content on Windows 7 Media Center keeping the CPU usage very low (<8%)! It is great!

This guide should be updated to include this and remove redundant codecs.

However:
1- Subtitles are not working!
2- Playing old DivX and Xvid content makes the CPU raise to >50% !

- How can we play all these files with Hardware Acceleration in Windows Media Center? (... and with subtitle support)

sealightPT:

With http://labs.divx.com/mkvwin7preview (uses Microsoft Media Foundation) you can play 1080p content on Windows 7 Media Center keeping the CPU usage very low (<8%)! It is great!

Thanks, but no. MKVWIN7PREVIEW is very experimental.

It does not support subtitles at all (and prevents known subtitles tools from doing so). Obviously it doesn't support subtitle switching.

It also doesn't support multiple audio tracks or switching between them.

Furthermore, enabling DVobSub / VSFilter disables DXVA in any case.

AND it indeed causes huge CPU usage when playing DivX and XviD

So while I appreciate the suggestion, please read the intro to my article before commenting.

I consider sub support, sub switching, and audio stream switching to be essential in a Media Center config.

Remember, there's a big world outside the US and the UK...

In any case, I'm adding this info to the guide.

@d.kilshtein: looks like you've messed up big time. If your really followed all the steps, it's likely your previous codec pack screwed things up.

I've done 5 installations based on the instructions in this guide now.

To troubleshoot, start by opening some media files in GSpot, click the "1" button under "MS A/V" and analyze the results.

There's more info on how to use GSpot in my Vista Codec Bible: http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/t/65608.aspx

Any codecs, filters etc. that are used while they shouldn't: lower their Merit (using GSpot) OR unregister them (using GSpot) OR uninstall them.

Maybe just start by removing your shark package.

Oh, make sure you've got up-to-date ATI or NVIDIA drivers too. If you're unsure about your video card's performance and capabilities, disable "Hardware Acceleration" in the DivX codec config.

Test using Media Player (not WMC) to make it easier. Check which icons appear in the System Tray (ffdshow video + audio + DivXSM should always appear. AC3Filter for files with AC3 audio. DVobsub/VSFilter for files with SRTs or SUBs.).

FrankGeelen:

(...)Furthermore, enabling DVobSub / VSFilter disables DXVA in any case AND it indeed causes huge CPU usage when playing DivX and XviD

Thanks for your reply. Yes, it is far from perfect. The problem is I can't find a good solution to this problem.

- If I follow the configuration that is posted here will I have hardware acceleration AND subtitles (with H.264, MKV, DivX, XVid...)?

FrankGeelen:

(...)Remember, there's a big world outside the US and the UK...

I know, I live on it :) (... and I enjoy it much!)

I’ve used the guide on a clean install of Windows 7. The previous windows (with the Shark7) was formatted.
I will try to use the GSpot. Thanks.

d.kilshtein:

ow, I forgot the following:

- TV pixilated & distorted: there's nothing in this guide that touches TV display (that's why I'm not touching the MPEG2 codecs, and why I won't let FFDSHOW as a decoder for MPEG). So again there may be an issues with your Video card drivers.

- MKV unknown: I don't think you used my .REG file. If you do, MKVs should display in Explorer as "Matroska file", and the icon should be a coloured movie thing with balloons in side. If you see the Haali icon or something else, there's something wrong with your file associations. When you right-click an .MKV, your should only see "Play in Media Player". Possibly also "MediaInfo" if you installed it and enabled its Explorer extensions.

There are more keys that can influence which player is used when double-clicking, but I'm not going to start detailing those unless absolutely necessary (it's in the "SystemFileAssociations" under hkey-classes-root.

- I've forgotten to specify that it's best to disable User Account Control (and restarting the PC) before starting this. You can re-enable it when finished if you want.

- You obviously need to use a full admin account.