Video files as captured from a TV signal or video can be truly enormous. Using some standards, a single 22-minute episode can be a 15gb raw file. Therefore enCOder/DECoders, or codecs, are used to compress the video into a manageable size which still maintaining a high quality (depending on settings, and indeed on which codecs). An encode is a video file which has been made using a codec, and there are several types at large in the channel.

AVI

This is the format in which the channel releases episodes for all series where possible. The channel uses two codecs for AVI files; DivX, and more recently XviD also. If an AVI file in the guide is not marked as XviD in the notes column, it can be assumed to be a DivX encode.

DivX

DivX is the longer-running of these two codecs, so most of our AVI encodes use this; many versions of it, from 4.12 up to 5.2. To be able to play all DivX files, the safest bet is to visit DivX's web site and download the latest version of the codec.

XviD

XviD is technically a more powerful codec than DivX, and needs a different set of software to use encodes created with it. There are also numerous versions of it floating around, but the one we recommend most strongly is Koepi's build. This is the site at which to find it; the installer can be downloaded from the 'XviD binaries' page.

If you find results with this version of XviD are unsatisfactory, one alternative is ffdshow. This contains filters that can decode both XviD and DivX encodes, among other formats, and can be downloaded from SourceForge.

MPG and WMV/WMA

These two formats are very widespread on the web, and will not likely involve downloading new software. They should both play in most media software, such as Windows Media Player, Winamp and BSplayer. If you find that either are not working, be sure to upgrade to the newest version of your player. WMP can be had from Microsoft's site, or straight through your Windows Update, and the others can be had from their respective websites.

MOV

MOV files are a format called QuickTime, produced by Apple. In order to play them, you will need to visit Apple's QuickTime site and download QuickTime Player. Be sure that you have the latest version of the player, as the format often changes radically between incarnations.

RM/RAM

This format is definitively low-quality, and is mainly used on the web due to the smaller filesizes it creates. A large proportion of our promo collection is in this format. Like QuickTime, this format changes radically between versions, so if you get error messages, you may need to upgrade the version you have. To download the player, visit Real.com, click on the RealPlayer tab at the top, and select "Download the free player only", then follow its instructions.