Copied from Shark007 Homepage:


The Vista Codec Package is compatible with all versions of Windows XP

MKV playback is fully supported.

The latest release contains a Settings Application which enables the user to choose a different splitters 'on the fly' for specific filetypes.
The application will also allow you to choose from 10 different speaker configurations from 'same as input' and all the way up to full 7.1 channel output.


The Settings Application is 100% UAC compliant.
Restricted access is enforced. (User Account Control)
The Application allows each user to maintain individual settings while at the same time seamlessly integrating any administrative commands directly into the users account. New users accounts are detected upon opening the Application and automatically inherit the Administrators settings.


Codecs have been a problem for most users at one time or another.
This is because there has never been an 'out of the box' working solution that the average computer user could install and just have everything work properly from the beginning. There are several decent codec package solutions out there, but none of them did everything I wanted. I was always in need of a tweak, adjustment, or even a re-installation just to get the codecs I needed/wanted and most of the time, the file still didn't play properly.
I've never claimed to be a media guru. My media experience prior to creating these packages was to double-click a file I downloaded and hope that it played. 


The installer will automatically remove most other popular codec releases from your computer before installing this concise yet comprehensive package.
You won't need to make any adjustments or tweaks to enjoy your media content immediately. Windows Media Player and Vista's Media Center will instantly recognize all your files as playable.


It does not contain a media player and it does not associate file-types.
With this package installed you will be able to use any media player, limited only by the players' capabilities, to play all movies and video clips.
Streaming video is supported in several formats in all popular web browsers.
Users of VCP have the ability to choose what is installed and where to install it using the public redistributable. After installation you can select to remove specific portions without removing the entire package.
You can also re-add the removed items at any time.


This package supports 20 localizations.
The default is English and the installer includes support for the following other languages; Arabic, Chinese Simplified/Traditional, Japanese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Polish, Swedish and Turkish. Languages can be added upon request. 


Uninstall ALL codec related installations
before installing this comprehensive package.

UNINSTALL YOUR OLD VERSION  - upgrades are enabled but not recommended


IF you have RealPlayer installed choose a CUSTOM
installation and deselect [X] that item from the menu.


Changelog:


What's new in Vista Codec Package 5.3.4:


Remove Xiph Ogg Codecs

Improve support for older CPU's

Allow AC3Filter to be turned Off/On

Allow XviD decoder to be turned Off/On

Update Gabest splitters to 1168

Enable thumbnailing OGG/OGM

Add splitter selections for OGG/OGM


What's new in Vista Codec Package 5.3.3:


Improve DTS audio in ALL containers

Improve audio type detection

Allow Haali to be turned Off/On

Allow FFDShow to be turned Off/On

Update FFDShow to rev 3029

MANY changes to the Settings Application


What's new in Vista Codec Package 5.3.2


Updates Gabests filters to 1164

Update FFDShow to rev 3020

Add codec testing tool to MISC TAB

Previous version MUST be uninstalled


What's new in Vista Codec Package 5.3.1


Updates Gabests filters to 1161

Use stable revision of FFDShow

Fix DirectVobSub Styles conflict /x64


What's new in Vista Codec Package 5.3.0


Add Arabic language support

Add Danish language support

Add icons for non-native filetypes

Use a stable revision of FFDShow

Updates Gabests filters to 1156

Settings Application bug fixes



Comments from the uploader (olofolleola4):
Here is a list of all things automatically uninstalled by the VCP installer:

AC3Filter Spdifer
AC3Filter
Haali MatroskaSplitter
Real Alternative
K-Lite Codec Pack - all versions
Combined Community Codec Pack
ffdshow standalone installer
XviD standalone installer
Storm Codec Pack
XP Codec Pack
Satsuki Decoder Pack
Theorica Divx ;-) Codecs
LD-Anim
ACE Mega CoDecS Pack
MUSK Codec Pack v5
TTPack
Recode Media
Codec Pack - All In 1
Cole 2k codecpack
CodecPack
Essentials Codec Pack
Xiph.Org Ogg Codecs

If you DO NOT want something on this list uninstalled,
choose a CUSTOM installation and de-select Conflict detection.