Microsoft releases Camera Codec Pack with RAW support: Digital Photography Review

Duh, Oly E-5 missing :-(

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Other notable's missing, are the 60D, D7000, and the K5. So it would seem that the Microsoft codec pack is well behind the times.

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You might try them anyway, if their RAW formats aren't any different than other cameras that are listed, the codec pack should decode them. Codecs are really for specific file formats, not cameras, I think they just list the cameras as that makes more sense to end users, but the list may be incomplete.

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Installed this codes pack for my Win7 64 bit is OK.

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oh finally !!

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64-bit Win7 worked like a damn! Fast and no problem with previews even on peripheral drives.

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Installed this for my W7 64 bit system. I only wanted to be able to view image thumbnails when browsing in Explorer, but it does't. It shows a CR2 file type thumbnail, but no thumbnail of the image. Should it show thumbnail of the image?

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I installed it and am getting the thumbnails. Check the following settings:

in Explorer click view -> large icons (if you don't have the menu bar press the alt key first)

If that doesn't work then thumbnails are disabled. To enable them do this:

Start (er, M$ logo button) -> control panel -> system
click the Advanced System Settings linkbutton
Advanced tab -> performance group -> Settings button
Scroll until you see "Show thumbnails instead of icons" and check it, then click OK. Now thumbnails should work but you *may* have to hit F5 (or view -> refresh) before the folder redraws, depending on your video card drivers.

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I have the same problem as Rob.
kimvette, your system settings do not show the thumbnail.

So still a issue to solve.

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Awesome stuff!!! Way to go Microsoft!! I have a Nikon D40 and windows 7 x64. Shame on you Nikon...

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Why should Nikon have any responsibility to produce updates to Microsoft software?

I think you need to re-examine who you paid the money to for your camera and operating system and stop blaming one for the other.

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It's 64-bit support. It may be incomplete, but damn, Canon doesn't provide that for ANY model. Grade appropriately.

Nobody asked or expected Microsoft to do this. What I'm more curious about is why MS felt they should do it anyway.

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M$ wants to compete with Adobe since the Windows market is long past peak and is on the decline so Microsoft is looking for new ways to grow again. Hence, the live gallery freebies, which encourages you to consider buying the Microsoft Expression suite (Microsoft's answer to the Adobe Creative Suite).

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Not true. MS Windows sales are very healthy:
It's one of those Myths
http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-windows-7-licenses-vs-ios-units-2011-4
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/windows-history-sales-figure-comparisons,news-11836.html

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Sticking with fastpictureviewer on my Win 7 64 bit machine for now, even though it costs a few bucks. jpg, CR2, pdf, psd, bmp even video files supported. No support for doc, but reads txt.

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DO NOT USE! Junk software and a real hindrance to serious photographers.

1- It will change your opening of file types to MS as opposed your default folder. Then you need to change every FOLDER to your old defaults. In short, it changes tiffs, jpgs, and raw to open in Live Gallery instead of PS CS5, LR3, PS9, etc, etc.

2- It fails to cover even moderately recent camera releases, such as the Nikon D7000.

3- To UNinstall it, simply reinstall and choose UNINSTALL as the option. What I don't know is whether the thousands of cached images will also be uninstalled. I doubt it but I am no computer guru.

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1. File type associations can be customized. Don't blame the software if you don't know how to do that. Go to Control Panel\Programs\Default Programs\Set Associations

2. D7000 is not listed as a supported camera. Not sure why you even bothered to install.
Supported Nikon: D100, D1H, D200, D2H, D2Hs, D2X, D2Xs, D3, D3s, D300, D3000, D300s, D3X, D40, D40x, D50, D5000, D60, D70, D700, D70s, D80, D90, P6000

4 upvotes

it didn't change my default file values at all.

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It didn't change mine either. These codecs work seamlessly in my Windows 7 x64. Way to go microsoft!!

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Limited it may be but it allows you to view ALL files, including non RAW images at the same time. A good idea. Thanks to Microsoft for it....

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They don't appear to have added support for (e.g.) DNG so that's quite a lot of support lacking. http://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/ does a better job - for a token sum of money.

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This new Windows capability seems pretty limited compared to just downloading freeware Irfanview and associating your RAW files with it. It will instantly open any RAW file as a bitmap, which you can fool with -- Irfan has a nice selection of editing tools -- then save in lots of formats. If I want to do more, then I can open with PS.

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The point of a codec is you have to open the file in anything. You see a thumbnail, get preview pane support and see all the EXIF data in Windows explorer.
Be aware that not everything which converts a raw fuke works with the RAW data - a lot just process the JPG which is embedded for a preview.

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Whatever. The point of this exercise is you get a preview. And what is a "fuke"?

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he means you don't have to open it, and fuke=file
many people will like this codec pack, you can also use Windows Live Essentials and Skydrive now. If you want to use Irfan view, stick with that, its your choice - why argue.

1 upvote

From the comments on this forum I don't know why Microsoft even bothers.

Just because Microsoft has produced a wide ranging codec in a snap shot of time that does not align with your camera release date, does not mean it is Microsoft's fault. Try blaming your camera manufacturer.

At least Microsoft has tried. Take Nikon. They have not even bothered to keep up with the worlds most popular operating system. For years it has ignored the fact that while Bill has produced a superb 64 bit operating system and Adobe and others have produced software that marries to the advantages of 64 bit memory addressing, they (Nikon Australia) have simply told me ... "sorry there has been no demand for a 64 bit version". Oh why oh why do they continue to frustrate the #$@% out of us either producing what is a candidate for the worlds worst photographic software (NX) or not producing any at all (64 bit codec for their NEF files)!!!

Unbelievable.

4 upvotes

People love to hate Microsoft. It's been a childish sport ever since the inception of the Internet - and probably before.

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Don 't forget the massive amounts of free plug-in power, gimp offers. many are a one click affair. Explore them to see what you just can't get; anywhere else.

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As soon as The Gimp handles 16 bit files I'll be there with my ears back ... but until then, sorry:)

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That was an extremely uninformed reply. Sorry. The use of ufraw, when one wishes to develop, from Raw, allows you to set 16-bit, light levels; in the most professional manner. By using curves (over levels, or contrast/brightness). The ufraw page, even tells you how to set the two curve controls. From there, save it as a .PNG file, which makes an excellent temporary work file. A .PNG file, has nine times compression, and no losses. Temp .PNG work files also save you from, "catalog" maintenance. Just delete the .PNG, when you want to, and you can start over, with the original file, if ever needed. Bring it up the .PNG file (or JPEG) in the Gimp, and do whatever else, that could be done. There's even a plug-in, that automatically brings up the ufraw output, in the Gimp. So, duh. (Sorry) :)

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*** How to show Raw thumbnails, for all sensor types with open systems, such as Linux Mint 11, Ubuntu, or Debian?

Click the File Manager.

*** How to edit Raw photo, taken by various cameras sensors?

Click the Raw files, and it will appear, in ufraw.
Just save it as a .PNG "work" file.

*** How to edit your .PNG, or .JPG files?:

Click your photo, and you can bring it up in the photo viewer, or right click it and select the Gimp, for "anythings possible".

See the gimp site, and simply Google, for anything you might want to do, to a photo; with the Gimp, and you will find videos aplenty.

Why waste your time, otherwise? These work on all computers, and you get the new versions, with no hassle, as they are released. There's nothing more professional, than these, and this is what savvy "pro"s (paid photographers) really use.

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Works just fine for my D7000 files

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are you running 32 or 64 bit win 7?

this codec did not work for me on my d7000 on win 7 64 bit.

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Did you download and install the 64-bit version?

MicrosoftCodecPack_amd64.msi is the correct version for 64-bit Win 7.

Works perfectly for me.

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No support for prosumer compacts S95, LX5, XZ-1? This is really LAME.

And AFAIK, Windows Live Gallery will attempt to modify the photo on import. Or the photo will not be rotated automatically. This is a big "No No" to me.

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Picasa is cool, it does not modify nothing and will automatically rotate your photos

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I installed 32 bit win xp. No problems in open LX5's rw2 files.

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Sorry, I mean 32 bit win vista.

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It's a shame that the best option for RAW codec support on Windows 7 is still FastPictureViewer's Codec Pack. http://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/

It works fine, but it's a shame that I have to buy a 3rd party tool to get functionality that Linux and Mac users get for free.

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No support for newest Nikon DSLRs (D7000 etc), no Panny LX5 support, and so on as others here have noted. It looks as if it was written about 1-1/2 - 2 years ago.

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No Sony SLT support.

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I can subscribe to an earlier post by Wye Photograph.
DOESN'T WORK.

Lousy product, confirming once more negative sentiments about MS.

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It's a limited support; Windows Explorer will create a thumbnail image of the RAW file but right-clicking on it won't offer the possibility to preview the photo (like any Mac can do)

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Read the info provided in the link and install Windows Live Gallery and you can open them.

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On a Mac, I just have to right-click on a RAW file to preview it.

Under Windows, I have to :
A) double-click on the shortcut on an application (Windows Photo Gallery, Lightroom, etc.),
B) wait for that application to load,
C) import the RAW file,
D) than see it.

Wow! Windows has a long way before being as user-friendly as a Mac...

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JeanPierre, I take it you haven't ever user Windows, have you? I just single-click on the file, and it opens right up in the application of my choosing.

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I cnat install this update.

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I have Canon Cameras and Micrisoft already had codecs for Win 7, good stuff anyway

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Reads my Oly 8080 just fine so I'm happy !
G

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Great stuff! For those who feel there gear is not listed some companies provide the necessary codec’s as listed here for Microsoft ICE. Some of these have been now superseded by this latest Microsoft release, which is good. Here is the link: http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/groups/ivm/ICE/codecs.htm

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It says it supports my camera, but, IT DOESN'T WORK.

Typical Microsoft product.

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Nice message!

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Why ?
- majority producers of cameras ignore universal RAW format DNG
and users choice ...
- Microsoft afraid Google's cloud computing activites ...

How it works?
No commment ... Is it integrated in the system? ... not

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Not sure what you're trying to say here, but:

- The codecs are for the WIC framework so, starting with XP SP3, they should work in Windows Explorer (they work with my Windows 7 installation). I would say that's pretty much integrated with the system...

- About DNG support (and in general for other Codecs) I'm pretty sure they don't have unlimited development resources and have to prioritize as everyone else. I would say that a lot, if not most, consumers are simply ignoring DNG but I'm sure MS can draw better statistics from their side. Moreover, I'm not quite sure why Adobe is not developing a WIC coded in the first place if they really think DNG should be ubiquitous. Finally, they posted on the blog that they're already working on further codecs.

- Everyone is afraid about everyone else cloud at this point... MS, Google, Apple, you name it

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btw: I just found out Adobe already has a DNG codec (Labs site) so I really don't understand.

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Have the LINK to the Adobe site where Win7 64-bit will be able to show the thumbnails in Win7 Explorer??? I missed that one.
I use LR , but it would be nice to see the thumbnails of my DNGs in Explorer ... and I assume PowerDesk PRO , my fav file manager for Win7 :) Thank you

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Yes, I found this LINK ... but it is for the "release candidate" ... any final version? Win7 and DNG has been around for a while now.
http://labs.adobe.com/wiki/index.php/DNG_Codec

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does not support canon rebel t3i/600d

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??? was already supported by an old codec, what r u saying???

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Hmm I'm unsure of what older codec you speak of? I would love to be able to view raw files in explorer

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so, if im running intel, vista 64 bit... i get the x86 version???

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no the AMD 64 version, x86 means a 32bit version.

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Installed it 3 days back, number of cameras supported is very small. D7000 and some other camera's aren't even supported yet.

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i installed to find out the same. why release a patch that doesn't cover popular cameras released within the last year? it seems like shear laziness.

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Why, oh why, do they ignore the Panasonic GH2? Picasa doesn't support the raw files, now Microsoft. This is a camera so popular there is a wait to get one. I don't get it.

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That's all I need to know. Bummer.

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There is a wait to get one because Panasonic refuses to sell it in the US. It's an artificial scarcity. Why should MS bother to support it if Panasonic cannot be bothered to sell it here?

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Why no dng support!

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you should be able to answer that one without wasting the space!
duh why do you think no DNG adobes file.....

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who cares! CR2 is enough!

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G1 GF1 LXR rw2 supported but NOT orf from Olympus ... E-P2 E-PL1

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And no Sony Nex 5 support either. Bizarre.

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Supports NEX 5 raw in Windows Live gallery but not in Windows Explorer. I'm happy with that.

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Supports almost no m4/3 cameras ... hummm

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Finally... Just about time Microsoft!

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@theoschela so you cannot see thumbnails in Explorer? Strange, the video on the website says you can view it on explorer. I just installed a 3rd party CR2

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using Win 7 64 bit - I am unable to view my CR2 files from my 60D in Windows Explorer. Yet I feel mildly fortunate to be able to view them in Live Photo Gallery. But will I make use of it? On occasion perhaps

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awaiting an update so it officially will support cameras released after the 7D! This codec pack does not officially support the 60D, G12, or D7000 to name a few.

Nevertheless I was able to view my 60D CR2 files in the Live Photo Gallery, albeit sluggish as all heck. Cannot be viewed in Windows Explorer though...

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what are you saying ??? the 60D I bought 4 months ago and there were already codecs at that time!! and works perfect

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@Tormenborba I say, What are you saying?!?!
Yes, there is already from the beginning a codec from Canon that supports 60D, BUT it only works out of the box on the Windows x86
On Win x64 machines only with the trick of using Live Photo Gallery (a 32bit software) that one is able to see RAW images with the Canon 60D codec

1 upvote

I can confirm that the codec DOESN'T work for the 60D. It works fine for my 300D and 450D images but not for the 60D .CR2s

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That link is just a sad advertisement, for Microsoft. They just want you to use their products; without thinking. Then, you're hung.

Just get ufraw, see it's web page and learn professional "curves", instead of levels, or contrast and brightness. You do not have to set, all that ufraw can do. You only need to set your 16bit light- levels(as curves). Save as, a .PNG work file. From there, you can bring it up in the Gimp. Anything's possible there. Others do less. You have to do all. You can do just what you wish. Video tutorials are all over the net, for free 24/7. See Gimp website. Read. Not only that, but ufraw, and Gimp, are cross platform; which means you can use them on Windows, Mac, or Linux computers. They are also open software, which means you get the new versions free, as they come out! Save your self time, trouble, and lock-in, price tricks. Invest your time wisely learning the Gimp, and optionally ufraw (All your cams raw sensor formats); if you want to develop from Raw.

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Just as many major camera makers have released code, to show a thumbnail, in all popular file managers. That's not something you need Microsoft for. Just get it from your camera makers site. The Raw codec, for your camera. Showing it in the file browser is incidental, and automatic in OS's, other than Windows. Ironic; how their failings are used to snare the novice.

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It works as advertised. Did all of you install the correct version? I bet most of you wouldn't even know how to find out what version you need. Sheesj.Oh, My Practica MTL3 also isn't supported. Shame.

Blame the MFG's for creating so many different RAW formats, not MS.

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Been using up to now the Canon codec for the same purpose ,
on Vista .
It works fine , just a bit slow , particulary when reading from external drives .
Going to test now this win codec .

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Actually I can not edit nor save as a differnt file format

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I know this thread is a little old, but for those that haven't done so, Canon has a current codec pack that allows this to work with the 60D and others. http://software.canon-europe.com/software/0039964.asp

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Oops. Apparently a more current version number here:

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/windows_vista/cameras/eos_slr_camera_systems/canon_raw_codec_software#DriversAndSoftware

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This CODEC pack from Microsoft did not (until recently) support the 60D CR2 RAW files. However, from earlier this month (6th August 2012) they have now released a new version and this does support the 60D CR2 RAW file in OS, I can confrim that this works in Windows 7 on a 64 bit OS.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26829

Shame on Canon . Well doen MS

Comment edited 16 seconds after posting

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Microsoft releases Camera Codec Pack with RAW support

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