When DrainData cant open your video (or DVD)

Our first recommendation is to download a `codec pack` from here.
(get the download of 'XP-Codec-Pack-2.5.1.exe')

If that fails, we suggest a download of the `prizm video converter` from here
(Click 'Download Prism AVI / Video Converter for Windows')

Using the one of the above you should be able to convert your videos to `mpg` format and avoid compatibility problems.


What's a Video Codec ?

Many members have probably never heard of a video codec but some
knowledge of it is becoming important as we enter the digital age and
the use of inspection software, such as DrainData, becomes compulsory.

Because of the way the video industry has developed there are many different
video formats and a video codec can be compared to a language.
Codec is short for `code-decoder` (some would argue that its actually a
`compressor-decompressor` since compression is an essential element
of video encoding). When we talk about `encoding` we are really talking
about compressing it and translating it into a digital form. A codec, a standard for
encoding, is used to do just that. In order to view the encoded video you need the
same codec to decode it as was used to encode it. An analogy is -
if you had a document in German, a Chinese dictionary would not help you
translate it into English. That is why you have to use the right codec for any
particular piece of digital content.

There are thousands of codec made by DVD player makers, digital video
player makers, video application software designers etc.and although there
are some standards for mpeg video, most of them do not offer compatibility.

Playing and Capture.

There are two sorts of codec. One is for playing (player algorithm) and one
for video capture (capture algorithm).

Player Algorithm

This simply plays video and is not very complicated. It is generally free from
video codec trouble. Any similar codec (similar language) can be accepted and will support playback. Using our analogy again - if some document is written in German
then an English codec can read it and translate it (because German and English
are similar languages). However, an English codec cannot read a Chinese document
because they are too dissimilar languages.

Capture Algorithm

To carry out video capture, add a caption or edit a video, there has to be an EXACT codec.
Unlike the player algorithm, a similar one is not good enough.
Using our analogy again - an English codec can play a German document but cannot capture it. It can only capture an English one.

Inspection Software

Like other video applications, inspection software (including DrainData) may need another video codec. This will depend on the codec used to record the video.
`mpg` is the most popular file format and can easily be applied to any other video program.
However, many DVD recorder/player makers don't use it. They prefer `ivi` files for video compression.
So if the best video format for CCTV operators and their customers is `mpg` and many video recorders use `ivi` how can they be made compatible?
A video converter is necessary to make sure there is no video compatibility
problem.
Even where the CCTV operator has a video recorder that is compatible with `mpg`, the problem will not go away. As video devices get more complicated (even i-pad now offers its own video player) operators will suffer compatibility problems at some stage.
Some governments have standardised on `mpg` format but this is certainly not
applied universally.

The use of a video converter generally will offer a fast solution. However, some
unique codec may not be converted.