What's the best codec to use?

[chuckles9999]

Are all codecs about the same within their "category" - like Xvid? Or is there a best one that everyone strives to attain? I've just been using one of those mega-codec packs and assumed all was well but a forum post said that's wrong and that we should only enable the codec that G-Spot says you need for each task. I've been wondering about that because G-Spot often says that I have 4 or 5 codecs installed that will handle the task. I really don't understand how the program picks which codec to use? And if there are 4 or 5 codecs to choose from which is best? Why use an expensive CCE encoder with an inferior codec? It would be nice to know which is best and remove the rest.
Thanks for any advice.

[The_Mask]

What I use is K-lite Codec but I don't install everything, what I install is:

Video:

DivX Pro full
Xvid full
MS Mpeg 4
Mpeg 2 demuxer (Elecard)
Mpeg 2 decoder (ligos)

Audio:

MP3
AC3 (ACM) not AC3filter
AAC (3ivx Pro) full
WavPack
LAME mp3 encoder
MP4 splitter

All tools and compatibility

[npreiber]

There should just be a downloadable Film Machine codec pack. It's very difficult figuring this out right now.

[seomul]

I use K-lite Codec