Are you video chatting with friends on a Windows desktop device? You can bolster your video experience with video codecs from the Microsoft Store! This article covers which Microsoft Store extensions can support a high-quality video experience on Discord.
What this article covers:
What Are Video Codecs?
Similar to images (ex. jpg, png), there are a variety of technologies for encoding and decoding video. Each video codec has various tradeoffs, but they all have the same goal of storing, transmitting, and playing video efficiently.
The Discord app uses video codecs in several parts of its experience including:
- File attachment playback
- Quest videos
- Video calls
- Go-Live screenshare
Discord relies on codecs provided by the operating system, such as Windows. When they’re unavailable, parts of the app experience will not function properly.
How To Get Video Codecs on Windows
Most Windows users already have the necessary packages, but you can follow the steps below for each codec to verify support. Codecs installed from the Microsoft Store will be used by Discord and other applications on the computer.
Getting The AVC Codec
The AVC codec is required for core Discord functionality such as playing most file attachments and participating in video calls. An AVC encoder is especially important for camera and Go-Live screensharing. It is provided for free by Microsoft to Windows users.
To verify support, follow this link then press the View in Store button to launch the Microsoft Store app.
- If the package isn’t installed, install it
- If the package is installed, move on to the “Getting The AV1 Codec” section
The “View in Store” button for the AVC Encoder Video Extension page in the Microsoft Store on the web browser.
Getting The AV1 Codec
The AV1 codec is another free codec provided by the Microsoft Store. When installed and supported by all call participants, it can provide a very high quality streaming experience.
To verify support, follow this link then press the View in Store button in the bottom right corner of the page to launch the Microsoft Store app.
- If the package isn’t installed, install it
The “View in Store app” button at the bottom right corner for the AV1 Video Extension page in the Microsoft Store on the web browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I don’t have any problems with my existing experience. Do I still need to install these codecs?
A: Discord tries to use the ideal codec that everyone on the call can support. If you are missing any of the above codecs, installing them may improve video quality depending on what hardware you have and who’s in the call.