Since version 17.0.0.1, TVideoGrabber plays the usual formats without installing any decoder: the clips are opened through the Media Foundation demultiplexers and decoders included in Windows (MP4, MOV, MKV, WebM, AVI, MP3, AAC, WAV…), and decoded on the GPU when possible (PlayerHwAccel = hw_Auto, default value).

Note: the HEVC (H.265) clips require the Microsoft HEVC Video Extensions (Microsoft Store), or the Datastead RTSP/RTMP/HTTP/ONVIF Source filter, or the LAV Filters (see below).

The LAV Filters (optional)

The LAV Filters remain supported. They open more formats and codecs (e.g. FLV, or AVI files with older codecs). When they are installed, TVideoGrabber uses them first, and uses the Media Foundation source for the clips that they cannot open.

They can be downloaded here, and installed:

• either by running their .exe installer,
• or by copying their x86 and x64 folders into the folder of your application .exe, e.g.:
  c:\yourappfolder\yourapp.exe
  c:\yourappfolder\x86
  c:\yourappfolder\x64
• or by copying their x86 and x64 folders into another folder, specified by the ExtraDLLPath property, e.g.:
  c:\yourappfolder\yourapp.exe
  c:\codecfolder\x86
  c:\codecfolder\x64

VideoGrabber.ExtraDLLPath = "c:/codecfolder";

With the LAV Filters, the GPU decoding must be selected explicitly: set PlayerHwAccel to hw_Cuda (NVIDIA), hw_QuickSync (Intel), hw_Dxva2 or hw_d3d11 before invoking OpenPlayer (with hw_Auto, the LAV Filters decode in software).

Choosing the decoder

The PlayerForcedCodec property, set before invoking OpenPlayer, changes the default order:

• "LAV": forces the use of the LAV Filters,
• "NOLAV": the LAV Filters are not used, even if they are installed,
• "MF": the clips are opened first by the Media Foundation source, before the LAV Filters,
• "NOMF": the Media Foundation source is not used.

VideoGrabber.PlayerForcedCodec = "MF";
VideoGrabber.PlayerFileName = "c:/folder/clip.mp4";
VideoGrabber.OpenPlayer();

More information here.