Typing WMP MINI FAQ into google.com finds that FAQ and http://www.moviecodec.com has other information which I don't duplicate in these forums.
Bob
I am trying to get the concept here. I mean, if I open a .avi file, does the player (i.e., windows mwedia player) look all over my hard drive for the information needed to decode it? or do they live in a specific place? and if so where? does having more codecs on my machine make it possible for windows to "see" video it currently can't? and if download a codec, where does it go and how does windows media player know where to find it?
just curious - fj

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic