Video Decoder Checkup for Windows

This is another simple tool to quickly check your MPEG-2 decoder for Windows compatibility, but you'll need to first pass Microsoft validation. Video Decoder Checkup's basic interface is barely more than a standard information dialog. Before you can download the utility, you'll have to jump Microsoft's hurdles. The download page directs you to install a Microsoft tool that you must run to get a code. It doesn't take that long, and it is easy to drop the code into the appropriate place. It took our testers longer to download, install, and run the validation than it did to run Video Decoder Checkup.

It takes just a second for the utility to gather data on your decoders. The application lists the vendor, file name, and version for each decoder found. More helpfully, Video Decoder Checkup displays checks for each decoder that is Media Player 10 and Media Center Edition compatible. You can quickly choose one and set it as your preferred decoder.

Video Decoder Checkup includes a helpful button to check for updates for any selected decoder. Easy to use and quick to run, this freeware is easily recommended for any user who considers using Media Player 10 or Media Center edition.