File explorer unable to display dimensions of some video files - any workarounds?

hsehestedt · Mar 14, 2022

When looking at a folder that contains video files, in both Windows 10 and 11, if you choose to view details, you can add a column that will show the dimensions of the video files. However, I compress all my videos as HEVC (H.265) in an MKV container. Windows doesn't seem to be able to figure out the dimensions for this type of video and won't display it. Interestingly, it's not totally stupid about these videos because it will display the length properly.

I know that that there are many utilities such a Media Info, and even players like VLC that can display the dimensions, but I'm wondering if there is a way to allow File Explorer to do this. It's just handy to be able to see the dimensions of all videos in a folder at once and to sort based on the dimensions.

Note that I already have the HEVC Codec add-on from Microsoft installed on my system.

Berton · Mar 14, 2022

I was curious and tested by adding the Dimensions column and for .mp4 and .mpg files I worked with didn't show anything in that column but the size, Frame width and Frame height, is shown in Properties of them.

hsehestedt · Mar 14, 2022

For HEVC encoded MKV files, the height and width is not shown even in the properties.

Ghot · Mar 14, 2022

hsehestedt said:
For HEVC encoded MKV files, the height and width is not shown even in the properties.

Is there some reason you don't just convert them to .mp4?

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idgat · Mar 14, 2022

File/Windows Explorer is deficient in so many aspects, this is just one of them.

I use Xplorer2 (Lite, freeware version) but sometimes that won't even reveal the dimensions of multimedia visual files (images and videos).

In respect of video files, the best option is MediaInfo (freeware). Right-clcik on the filename > MediaInfo to reveal the attributes of the video.

And quite often, this will reveal why X/Explorer (both sorts) can't interpret the dimension because the header in the video file shows disparate data ... e.g. might show 16:9 ratio, but with actual dimensions that don't equate to that ratio.

EDIT : Note that a video file is just a container for an audio stream and a video stream (MediaInfo displays each). Depending on the file type (.mp4, .mkv, etc) the video stream type(s) can differ, or be the same, even within the same file type container. This is why anomalies occur when analysing video files, and/or playback between different software players (Windows Media Player = the worst offender in being unable to interpret various video formats, hence why many users download unnecessary (and dangerous) codec packs !!!)

(Dismounts soap-box ....

)

hsehestedt · Mar 14, 2022

Ghot said:
Is there some reason you don't just convert them to .mp4?

Yes, in fact many of the videos are converted FROM files that were originally MP4, or some other format. HEVC is so much more efficient and reduces video size dramatically. Plus, in an MKV container, you can also store multiple audio tracks easily.

My video library is currently approaching 8TB in size and that is at the reduced size :)

hsehestedt · Mar 14, 2022

idgat said:
In respect of video files, the best option is MediaInfo (freeware). Right-clcik on the filename > MediaInfo to reveal the attributes of the video.

Note that I referenced Mediainfo and other utilities in my original posting saying specifically that this was NOT what I was looking for, but I appreciate the thought.

idgat · Mar 15, 2022

hsehestedt said:
Note that I referenced Mediainfo and other utilities in my original posting saying specifically that this was NOT what I was looking for, but I appreciate the thought.

Oops, sorry missed that. But the inadequacies of File/Windows Explorer are the raison d'être for these 3rd party programs. Sometimes there is no alternative if a user wants extra (or often, more accurate) features.

hsehestedt · Mar 15, 2022

idgat said:
Oops, sorry missed that. But the inadequacies of File/Windows Explorer are the raison d'être for these 3rd party programs. Sometimes there is no alternative if a user wants extra (or often, more accurate) features.

Thanks. I agree. I was simply hoping that there was some magic workaround that I was not aware of.

I've been using media info because I can drop all the files from a folder into it at once and display a custom sheet with the info I'm looking for. It just would be nice if it worked in File Explorer.

My #1 wish for Windows: I wish that Microsoft would stop with the stupid new useless features in Windows that they often end up simply deprecating a few later anyway and just FIX and tidy up what is already there. For example, in Windows 10 they started migrating stuff from Control Panel to the new UI and NEVER finished it. Now they are doing the same thing in Windows 11. Also, they add a dark mode, but fail to completely implement throughout the OS. Sometimes it feels like they just don't care to finish what they started. File explorer in particular feels like it could really use a little TLC.

bronskimac · Mar 15, 2022

I just checked, MKV HEVC (H.265) files are showing frame height and width for me. Windows 11 Home version 21H2, build 22000.556. The only video specific change I have made to my computer is installing the K-Lite Codec Pack, so I get thumbnails for all my videos (I actually use VLC for playback, so the codec pack is not needed).

hsehestedt · Mar 15, 2022

bronskimac said:
I just checked, MKV HEVC (H.265) files are showing frame height and width for me. Windows 11 Home version 21H2, build 22000.556. The only video specific change I have made to my computer is installing the K-Lite Codec Pack, so I get thumbnails for all my videos (I actually use VLC for playback, so the codec pack is not needed).

Fantastic - that's exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. I'll give that a try.

BTW, I also use VLC and I have the Microsoft HEVC codec installed (it's like 99 cents from the Microsoft store if I recall correctly), but guess that is not enough.

krzysiek · Apr 30, 2022

Hello, I wanted to ask, maybe someone knows why I can not buy from Microsoft HEVC Video Codec Pack via paypal, when I switch to payment, it shows that I should provide payment card details and I want to pay with a paypal account, is there any other option to buy this codec?

Fabler2 · Apr 30, 2022

krzysiek said:
Hello, I wanted to ask, maybe someone knows why I can not buy from Microsoft HEVC Video Codec Pack via paypal, when I switch to payment, it shows that I should provide payment card details and I want to pay with a paypal account, is there any other option to buy this codec?

I don't bother with the Store for these codecs. I download these two from,

Codecs.com | Downloads for HEVC Video Extension 1.0.50361

Download HEVC Video Extension 1.0.50361 : fast downloads for latest versions of HEVC Extension

www.free-codecs.com

Codecs.com | Downloads for HEIF Image Extensions 1.0.50272

Download HEIF Image Extensions 1.0.50272 : fast downloads for latest versions of HEIF Image Extensions

www.free-codecs.com

idgat · Apr 30, 2022

Fabler2 said:
I don't bother with the Store for these codecs. I download these two from,

I don't bother with external/3rd party codecs, can do more damage elsewhere on the system than the problem they purport to fix.

A reputable video player with its own built-in codecs is much more reliable.

Start with ...
Daum Potplayer
VLC

No conversions (and possible loss of quality) or re-muxing required

EDIT : Daum Potplayer may need a tweak for H.265/HEVC video streams in some files (.mkv, .mp4 etc).

Settings > Manage filters > H.265 elipses (...) > H.265/HEVC > drop down menu arrow > change from Built- in FFmpeg etc to > FFmpeg64.dll

idgat · Apr 30, 2022

krzysiek said:
Hello, I wanted to ask, maybe someone knows why I can not buy from Microsoft HEVC Video Codec Pack via paypal, when I switch to payment, it shows that I should provide payment card details and I want to pay with a paypal account, is there any other option to buy this codec?

1) I think Paypal accounts now have to be overtly linked to a "top up" source (i.e. credit/debit card)
And/or
2) A lot of purchase sources have stopped using Paypal as the direct source of payment, hence 1) above.

Fabler2 · May 1, 2022

idgat said:
I don't bother with external/3rd party codecs, can do more damage elsewhere on the system than the problem they purport to fix.

A reputable video player with its own built-in codecs is much more reliable.

Start with ...
Daum Potplayer
VLC

No conversions (and possible loss of quality) or re-muxing required

EDIT : Daum Potplayer may need a tweak for H.265/HEVC video streams in some files (.mkv, .mp4 etc).

Settings > Manage filters > H.265 elipses (...) > H.265/HEVC > drop down menu arrow > change from Built- in FFmpeg etc to > FFmpeg64.dll

Each to their own. Don't like Potplayer and don't like VLC. That site and the codecs are perfectly good and safe.

File explorer unable to display dimensions of some video files - any workarounds?

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