How to add a Video Encoder to windows to be recognized by DirectShow

Question

i don't understand somethings about video encoder if you could help me clarify:

• where the encoders exist in the system?
• how's directshow recognize them?
• what's the encoders supported by directshows and how to add them?

thank you for reading my questions, and for any help.

Answer 1

A very usefull tool for things like that is GraphEdit (part of DirectShow SDK and can be downloaded for example here: http://www.videohelp.com/tools/GraphEdit)
If you click Graph -> Insert Filters you see a list of all installed filters and can see their file location.

To register a filter you can use (in command prompt): regsvr32 filter.dll
(As described here: How to use/install custom Directshow filter)

Answer 2

See Choosing a Compression Filter:

To enumerate the video or audio compressors available on the user's system, do the following: [...]

There is also a code snippet there to enumerate and instantiate the compressors/encoders.

You tagged the question as c# and not directshow.net, so you might also need to look at DirectShow.NET for accessing DirectShow API from managed code. DirectShow.NET also provides you with samples.