I can't remember the last time I thought about codecs. If VLC doesn't play a video file, then GOM will (GOM plays some older files better than VLC does). I remember routinely downloading a K-Lite Codec Pack to update all the codecs I used to need, but I haven't done that since the Obama administration.

I can't remember the last time VLC wouldn't play something.

2005 A directory of Southpark Seasons upto then. Encoded in some impressive QuickTime format. Surprisingly supported by Windows media player of all things :p

I remember going to copy a legitimate DVD in mid 2000's and remembering oh yea need codecs for this. VLC made it alot "simpler".
Until you went to play a mp3 in Linux .OGG all the way.

GreaseMonkey was good but what was that cmd code thingey that used to trawl site directory by directory if you could figure out site structure and strip what was flagged like .jpg or such.

I have some old .avi files that play in VLC, but the top of the videos are distorted. They play perfectly fine in GOM. Also, some higher definition videos tend to be a bit choppy in VLC, but also play perfectly in GOM (this may have something to do with my GPU, I'd guess).

I was reminded that codecs are a thing that exists when I was setting up my GFs new computer the other day and saw the K-Lite pack as an option on ninite.com. I hadn't thought about them in years either.