Most of the enhancements to movies centre around codec support. No longer will DivX and XviD fans have to scour the net trying to find a codec package they can be sure won't give them a virus, as well as the ability to play their ripped X-Files collection. Windows 7 brings the ability to play them natively.
The same goes for the HD codec of the moment, H.264.
The AAC audio codec used for the soundtrack of many video files is also supported out of the box. It's a step in the direction of media nirvana that could relegate scratching around on the web for an hour to history. You even get support for AVCHD - the raw format that HD camcorders tend to use - and 3GP mobile-phone videos.
Playback Quicktime out of the box
And finally, after more years of waiting than most of us care to count, the Release Candidate build includes the ability to play QuickTime MOV files. That brings with it the tantalising prospect of never again having to relegate control of your system to Apple's QuickTime Player and its penchant for downloading every update under the sun.
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| Video codec support is vastly improved in Windows 7, with DivX and H.264 now on the list of compatible formats |
This feature alone makes Windows 7 an attractive upgrade. Unfortunately, though, most of the recent movie-trailer MOV files we've tried need a newer version of the codec, and we wouldn't put it past Apple to increase the rate at which it updates QuickTime to keep the installation of its standalone player a necessary evil.
Media Center and H.264
When it comes to Media Center, changes to the look and feel are minor. Again, the big win is the codec support, and you can now play H.264 video directly through a Media Center Extender such as an Xbox 360.
A new, but fairly limited, Media Center desktop gadget is available from the desktop Gadgets menu - it sports a list of recently recorded TV programmes and quick links for music and pictures.
Next up: Will Vista applications work with Windows 7?
Also in our series, Windows 7 the complete guide:
Part 3: will your PC actually boot any quicker?
Part 2: raw performance benchmarks
Part 1: good news for gamers?
Also see: The 30 Best Features of Windows 7