What is a decoder, which ones do I need, and where do I get them?
A combination of audio decoders and video decoders are required for you to watch live tv and recordings. In simplistic terms, decoders take compressed audio/video frames, and decompresses them into audio samples for sending to the speakers, or video frames for displaying on the screen.
NextPVR is a non-commerical application, and ships without any decoders installed, since these would cost $$$ for me to legally license and distribute. Instead, NextPVR will make use of decoders you already have on your system. Some of these are supplied with Windows, some come from other applications you have installed, some are downloaded from Internet sources.
Below is info on what decoders you need and recommendations, the TL;DR answer: install the LAV decoders from HERE, then go to the Settings->Decoders screen, and set everything to the LAV decoders
It depends on the country you're in, the television system you're using, and sometimes the device you use. If you don't have a decoder you require, NextPVR will tell you what type of decoder it's missing. Here are some example decoder requirements for common user groups:
: Produced by Swastik Productions, it was India's most expensive TV series at the time, with a budget of approximately ₹5.1 billion (roughly $60 million).
Dynamic VFX houses created the grand palaces of Hastinapur and Indraprastha.
Before a single scene was shot, Mahabharat (2013) was already making headlines for its sheer scale. It became the first Indian television show ever to be made on a budget of ₹100 crore, redefining what was possible on the small screen. An additional ₹20 crore was allocated solely for its marketing, highlighting the immense faith the network, Star Plus, had in the project.
Writers updated the dialogue delivery while keeping the core philosophical essence intact.
| Character | Actor | Notable Role | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Saurabh Raj Jain | The divine charioteer and narrator of the epic. | | Arjuna | Shaheer Sheikh | The third Pandava prince and unparalleled archer. | | Draupadi | Pooja Sharma | The fire-born princess of Panchal, married to all five Pandavas. | | Karna | Aham Sharma | The son of Surya, raised by a charioteer, and a loyal friend to Duryodhana. | | Duryodhana | Arpit Ranka | The eldest Kaurava prince, whose jealousy and ambition led to the war. | | Yudhishthira | Rohit Bhardwaj | The eldest Pandava, known for his unwavering commitment to truth and dharma. | | Bhima | Saurav Gurjar | The second Pandava, renowned for his immense strength and loyalty. | | Nakula | Vin Rana | The fourth Pandava, celebrated for his beauty and skill in swordsmanship. | | Sahadeva | Aham Sharma | The youngest Pandava, a master of astrology and wisdom. | | Shakuni | Praneet Bhatt | The prince of Gandhara, master strategist, and uncle of the Kauravas. | | Bhishma | Arav Chowdhary | The grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, bound by a terrible oath of celibacy. | | Dronacharya | Mohit Raina | The royal guru who taught the art of warfare to both the Pandavas and Kauravas. | | Kunti | Shafaq Naaz | The mother of the Pandavas, who carries a hidden secret regarding Karna's birth. | | Gandhari | Riya Deepsi | The blindfolded queen of Hastinapur and mother of the Kauravas. | | Vidura | Naveen Jinger | The wise prime minister of Hastinapur, renowned for his intellect and dharma. | | Dushasana | Nirbhay Wadhwa | The second Kaurava, infamous for his role in Draupadi's public humiliation. | | Subhadra | Veebha Anand | Krishna's sister, who becomes Arjuna's wife and Abhimanyu's mother. | Mahabharat -2013- - Complete - 268 Episodes - 7...
These interludes break down complex concepts of Dharma (righteousness), Karma (action), and duty into digestible, universally applicable life lessons. The critical segments covering the Bhagavad Gita during the Kurukshetra war are handled with immense directorial care, transforming ancient theological discourse into actionable psychological guidance for the modern viewer. Musical Mastery
The show seamlessly wove together countless story arcs, from the tragic tale of Amba leading to her rebirth as Shikhandini, to the birth of Dhritarashtra and Pandu, the early rivalries of the princes, and the training under the tutelage of Guru Dronacharya. It extensively covered the Pandavas' 13 years of exile, the preparations for the great war, and the aftermath.
A breakdown of the between the 1988 and 2013 versions
It is widely considered a successful, high-quality alternative to the 1988 B.R. Chopra series. : Produced by Swastik Productions, it was India's
Often praised for his serene yet commanding portrayal of the supreme consciousness.
Collector’s Note: The original TV broadcast had a distinct background score and shorter episode lengths. OTT versions sometimes remaster audio. If you want the authentic 2013 TV experience, look for DVD rips labeled “Star Plus Broadcast” with the original watermark.
Bhanu Athaiya, India’s first Oscar-winning costume designer, co-designed the attire, blending historical authenticity with theatrical grandeur. Narrative Architecture and Character Depth
Focus: Childhood of the Kauravas and Pandavas, Drona’s academy, Karna’s humiliation, and the lakshagriha (house of lac). Eklavya’s sacrifice, Draupadi’s swayamvar , Arjun winning the bride, and the infamous dice game. It became the first Indian television show ever
The 2013 Mahabharat series was produced by Swastik Productions, a well-known Indian television production company. The show's creators aimed to stay true to the original epic while making it accessible to modern audiences. The series was filmed in various locations across India, with extensive use of special effects to recreate the grandeur and spectacle of ancient India.
: The series is noted for its "larger than life" sets (designed by Omung Kumar) and extensive use of CGI, though critics have debated the accuracy of these visuals compared to historical texts. Helpful Resources for Deep Dives
The pivotal act of the epic is portrayed in harrowing detail: the game of dice. Here, Shakuni's deceit leads Yudhishthira to gamble away his kingdom, his brothers, and finally, Draupadi. The subsequent public humiliation of Draupadi in the Kaurava court is a defining moment, and her prayer to Lord Krishna results in a divine miracle that saves her honor, becoming a central moment of the epic. As a result of the dice game, the Pandavas and Draupadi are sent into 13 years of exile (12 years in the forest, followed by one year in incognito).
With diplomacy failing despite Krishna’s best peace missions, both sides mobilize massive global alliances. On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, faced with fighting his own teachers, uncles, and cousins, Arjuna suffers a psychological breakdown. Krishna delivers the sacred discourse of the Bhagavad Gita and reveals his cosmic form ( Vishwaroopam ). The Kurukshetra War (Episodes 191–255)
NextPVR is a 32bit application so will only see 32bit decoders on the machine. It can't see 64bit decoders, so these will not be listed.
NextPVR's decoder settings only apply to Live TV, and the playback of .ts recordings. For playback of other file types, like .mkv/.mp4/.avi, it's left to Windows to decide what decoders etc are used during playback. Installing LAV from HERE will often resolve issues with playback of these other file types.