Codecs, What are they and why do we need them?

Technorati Tags: Adobe,Windows,32-bit,64-bit,raw codecs,fastpictureviewer

The word “codec” refers to compression/decompression program or device used for video, music and images.  When they are available on your computer system and working properly, using them is transparent to the end user.  Unfortunately, codecs for all uses are not always included with special use programs (such as photoshop) or operating systems (windows XX or X versions, 32 and 64-bit).    Most video editing programs come with their own proprietary codecs, but do not include codecs for all video formats.

From a photography perspective, this results in not be able to see thumbnails of raw images forcing you to open a proprietary program in order to see thumbnails of raw files.   If this fits into your workflow, then you may not need nor desire the ability to see raw image thumbnails in Windows explore, view raw files in windows file viewer or view raw files in windows media center.

Some photo editing tasks benefit from the ability to view raw thumbnails. For example, Photomatix Pro will open a dialogue box asking you what you want to do with a set of images when you drag them from windows explorer and drop them in the Photomatix window.  You can also drag from Adobe Bridge which also lets you view thumbnails of raw images. If you always work from Bridge, perhaps you don’t need a better solution. If you like to see your files, no matter what window you are in, there is an easy way to do so.

Axel Rietschin Software Developments  has produced a codec pack  that allows you to see thumbnails for CR2, CRW, NEF, NRW, PEF, ORF and Adobe DNG files in 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP SP3.  The company also produces FastPictureViewer Professional which includes their codec pack and provides a way to quickly scan through your images and determine which ones you will keep.  Their website has a number of video tutorials on how to effectively use FastPictureViewer Professional and they offer 32-bit and 64-bit free trial downloads of their program. 

FastPictureViewer Professional also offers tethered shooting capability.  Video tutorials are available on their website.

i7-920 now lives here!

The release of Lightroom 3 turned out to be  good timing.  I was assembling an i-7 920 processor based system to provide support for CS5 and now I get to migrate Lightroom 2.7 to  Lightroom 3 at the same time.  I have already installed the trial versions for both programs and will license them both before the 30 day trial period ends. Already loaded EDD Pro, thanks to Sergio and Jerry previously learning that a 64-bit Sentinel driver is available for the usb dongle (anti-piracy).

I still need to load Lumapix Fotofusion, Photomatix, neat image, Qimage, Epson 7900 drivers, Intuous 3 Wacom tablet drivers and take a look at the mogrify plug-in (for Lightroom) by Timothy Armes, but with the changes and additions that have been made to Lightroom  3, it’s highly unlikely that I will need to “mogrify” my files when converting to jpeg.

I'm having to reconfigure my KVM a bit. I need another DVI to VGA adaptor for the old system so I can run both the old and the new as switch between them as necessary.  I also discovered that either I have a faulty ps/2 to usb adaptor or the motherboard is sensitive to such things.

One item I overlooked is whether or not there is a 64-bit driver available for my color calibration equipment.  I’m hoping it is, as I’d prefer not to be in the market for  new color calibration software and equipment.
I’ll share more, including pics as I have the time to direct my attention along those lines.