Download Useful External Codecs
If you want to use various video codecs with oCam, you can install external codecs to adjust recording quality and file formats the way you want. Below is information about the external codecs supported by oCam and how to install them. Installing external codecs allows you to use oCam more flexibly.
After installing an external codec, you must restart oCam. Once restarted, the installed codec will automatically appear under the 'External Codec' option in the oCam settings menu, where you can select it for recording. External codecs can be downloaded from the following link:
https://ohsoft.net/update/codec.php
The following are descriptions of the main external codecs supported by oCam:
Xvid Video Codec
The Xvid codec is a video codec that implements the MPEG-4 Simple Profile and Advanced Simple Profile standards. This codec offers efficient compression and high compatibility, making it suitable for creating videos that can be played on a wide range of devices and software. With Xvid, you can keep file sizes reasonable while minimizing quality loss during recording.
x264vfw Codec
x264vfw is a VfW (Video for Windows) codec that includes the widely known x264 encoder and ffh264 decoder. Based on the H.264 format, this codec can save high-quality video in a smaller file size. x264vfw is especially suitable for users who want sharp image quality and efficient compression, and it also offers excellent compatibility with various video editing software.
VP8 Codec
The VP8 codec can encode video at quality comparable to or better than H.264 video encoders. VP8 is a core component of the WebM format and is well suited for web-based video streaming or high-quality video storage. With this codec, you can reduce file size while maintaining clear image quality for efficient recording.
Lagarith Codec
Lagarith is a lossless video codec designed for video editing and archiving. As a lossless codec, it preserves the original video quality exactly, but the file size can be relatively large. Therefore, it is suitable for users who want to edit high-quality video or store it for the long term.
By installing and using external codecs in oCam, users can choose the best codec for their recording purpose and environment. For example, if you want to reduce file size, you can choose x264vfw or VP8, and if you want to create editing footage without quality loss, you can choose Lagarith. Download the codec you need from the link above, restart oCam, and apply the codec you want.
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What Video Codecs and Container Formats Are Supported?
oCam supports a range of video codecs and container formats so that users can choose from various recording options.
Below is information about the video codecs supported by oCam.
* How to Check Supported Video Codecs
You can check the video codecs supported by oCam simply by clicking the 'Codec' button in the oCam main window. From this menu, you can easily view and adjust the list of available codecs and their settings.
* Supported Video Codecs
oCam supports the following video codecs for different container formats. Each codec is encoded according to the selected container format:
- MPEG-1: Used with the AVI container format and widely compatible as an early digital video compression standard.
- MPEG-2: Used with the TS and VOB container formats and suitable for DVDs and broadcast streaming.
- MPEG-4: Used with a wide range of container formats, including MP4, MKV, M4V, MOV, FLV, and WMV. oCam uses MPEG-4 as its default codec, offering high compression and good quality.
- XVID: Used with the AVI container format. It is an open-source codec based on MPEG-4, and oCam internally uses the MPEG-4 codec with only the FourCC set to XVID.
- OpenDivx: Used with the AVI container format, also based on MPEG-4, with the FourCC set to OpenDivx.
- Microsoft MPEG-4 Part 2: Used with the AVI container format and set as oCam's default codec. It can be played in most video players, such as Windows Media Player, without installing additional codecs.
- Microsoft MPEG-4 Part 3: An additional option available for the AVI container format, offering compatibility and quality.
* Relationship Between Container Formats and Codecs
oCam supports various container formats, and according to the image you provided, the supported container formats are as follows:
- MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14): Uses the MPEG-4 codec.
- MKV (Matroska): Uses the MPEG-4 codec.
- M4V (iPod MPEG-4): Uses the MPEG-4 codec.
- MOV (QuickTime): Uses the MPEG-4 codec.
- WMV (Windows Media Video): Uses the MPEG-4 codec.
- FLV (Flash Video): Uses the MPEG-4 codec.
- AVI (Audio Video Interleave): Uses MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, XVID, OpenDivx, Microsoft MPEG-4 Part 2, and Part 3.
- TS (MPEG-2 Transport Stream): Uses the MPEG-2 codec.
- VOB (MPEG-2 PS): Uses the MPEG-2 codec.
- GIF (Graphics Interchange Format): Can be saved as an animated GIF when recording video.
- Audio Recording: Saved in AAC (MP4) format.
By default, oCam records in the AVI container using the Microsoft MPEG-4 Part 2 codec, and this setting is suitable for beginners because it can be played immediately in Windows Media Player and other players without installing additional codecs. MPEG-4, XVID, and OpenDivx are all internally based on the MPEG-4 codec, with only different FourCC codes used to extend compatibility.
* Audio Codec
The audio data saved during recording is encoded in MP3 format, and in some cases, such as with the MP4 container, AAC format is also supported.
* Additional Information
If you install external codecs, you can use more codec options, which will be covered in detail in a separate post. You can adjust oCam's codec settings to match your desired quality and file size, so check the options through the 'Codec' button and test them as needed.