DirectShow is a multimedia framework and API produced by Microsoft for software developers to perform various operations with media files or streams.

By default, DirectShow includes a limited number of filters for decoding some common media file formats such as MPEG-1, MP3, Windows Media Audio(wma), Windows Media Video(wmv), MIDI, media containers such as AVI, ASF, WAV, some splitters/demultiplexers, multiplexers, source and sink filters and some static image filters.

DirectShow codec refers to codecs developed in the form of DirectShow filters, resulting in the presence of several filters that can decode the same media type.

DirectShow Codec

• True Audio DirectShow Codecs Suite

True Audio DirectShow Codecs Suite 1.0 allows 3rd party applications to work with the True Audio data streams. With the correct codecs installed it should be playable in Windows Media and any other DirectShow compliant player.

• Dicom Media Bridge directshow codec

Dicom Media Bridge is a dicom codec for Windows that allows multimedia applications to read and display multiframe or single-frame Dicom files.

• Windows Essentials Codec Pack

Windows Essentials Codec Pack is a collection of the most essential Audio and Video DirectShow Codecs and Filters.

• FFDShow MPEG-4 Video Decoder
• Media Player Codec Pack
• Elecard MPEG-2 Decoder and Streaming Pack

DirectShow Filter

• DirectShow FilterPack - DirectShow FilterPack is a lite-weight package of filters (decoders) which will enable to play many different kinds of encoded music and video.


• Monkey Audio DirectShow File Source Filter - This Filter helps you to play Monkey Audio in any DirectShow based MediaPlayer.


• ReClock DirectShow Filter - It is a DirectShow filter which is loaded in place of the default directsound audio renderer.


• GPL MPEG-1/2 DirectShow Decoder Filter
• CoreAAC Directshow filter
• Ogg DirectShow Filters
• DirectShow Filters for Ogg Vorbis Speex Theora and FLAC
• LAME DirectShow Filter
• iPod Encoder Directshow Filter
• River Past DirectShow Detective
• Audio Pitch Directshow Filter
• FLV Directshow Source Filter