Video Codecs for AVIs on new PCs

[BizClicker]

I am preparing a few projects that will use video and would like to ask what video codec is recommended for our current pc systems. MMF 2.0 gives some options for video play but what is the most common used on newer PCs (XP on up).

I would not want a CD user to get a "... could not find vids:xxxx ..." error if they try to run the CD.

On the VCD type project the look of the video would be adjusted from one of three sizes. What is recommended for a fair video picture?

For the edutainment CD project, the video would play in a 800 x 600 screen, but not fill the entire screen, much like the old 1995 CDs used to be in that smaller window in the program.

Suggestions, please.

[DJFuego]

Windows own video format is your safest option. WMV

[BizClicker]

Thanks for the input. I actually had this happen a few times when I was doing test projects so I will give it a shot. Used a DV .AVI and it would not play in the MMF created application. Just showed an empty screen and an error code like above.

Many of the older edutainment SW programs back in the 1990s has a Quicktime installer that came with the program since many videos in SW then were .MOVs. But I wanted to avoid this. Thanks.