Format IV50

You can download the codec [b]IV50= Intel Indeo R5.1[/b] by downloading [b]Media Player Codec Pack 3.9.5[/b] from the website [b]www.softonic.fr[/b].

Important: only download what you need, as this pack initially offers a homepage for the internet, but also a search engine.

Furthermore, only download the missing codecs, as you can always download others later, because downloading codecs that are already present on the machine may cause conflicts. So, to install our Intel 50 codec, uncheck all the other boxes.

In principle, the codec then works with any video player; I've checked it.

One option you can keep is the little program GSpot Codec Information at the end of the list, which allows you to find out which codecs are used by a video file. This program is quite comprehensive and details all the properties of audio or video files (more for "specialists").

In principle, the codec you are looking for is installed along with Windows Media Player under Windows XP, but this is no longer the case with Windows Vista or Windows 7. And this is regrettable because AVI type videos created with Canon camcorders or cameras usually need this codec; otherwise, you have sound but no image.

And the solutions proposed by some internet users do not hold; using VLC media player, for example: the codec must be present, but since it is not provided with the player... Another suggestion that does not hold: trying to convert the file to another type, as the converter requires the codec to perform the conversion. Similarly, sending the file to an online converter is pointless, as one of these sites no longer responds and the other does not recognize the file type.

So do as I do, try to pressure Microsoft to find a solution, as it is unacceptable that we can no longer view our children's souvenir videos, for example, as is often the case with these AVI files from our small digital devices. One believes one is safe behind a standard that one believes to be universal, and suddenly, it becomes a hassle for the average user.

In the meantime, I am converting all the videos I have in this format to a standard like MPEG, which I hope will remain safe from this kind of mishap, as I fear the next version of the operating systems.

There are also currently at least two paid solutions to download this codec, one offered by Ligos Corporation at $15.95 (note: this version may not be supported by Vista and Windows 7 as well as 64-bit systems) and another that I will not mention, but which is a scam, as you must first obtain a code via SMS for €3, of which you are informed at the last moment (I have not checked if it works!).