How to open OGG files?

OGG is a multimedia container format that can store video, audio, and lots of other multimedia content. A file with an .OGG extension generally contains audio. Xiph.org maintains the OGG multimedia container as well as several types of OGG audio that you can use, including vobis, theora, and speex.

Here are a variety of methods in which you can enjoy audio in the OGG container.

Easiest Method -- VLC Media Player

The VideoLAN client player does not only support the OGG multimedia container, but it also supports the Vorbis, Theora and Speex formats, meaning that right from installation is able to play the vast majority of OGG files you will obtain.

The player directly supports OGG without the need for DirectShow filters or special codecs to be installed. If you are looking for a quick solution then this is certainly it, but if you want to look at other examples of these players or learn to play with Windows Media Player and store it in your Media Library, then read on.

You can get VLC for Windows from this URL.

Click File and click the Open File option.

Now, click the Browse button next to the first white line at the top of the window with title Open.. and navigate through your harddrive for the OGG file you wish to listen to and select it. After you have selected the file, click OK and VLC will start playing the OGG audio you chose.

For other Operating Systems...

Mac: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/alternative_platforms/mac_software/vlc_for_mac.cfm

Linux: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_players/vlc_linux.cfm

Another Player with Direct Support for OGG - Foobar 2000

One of the most excellent audio players and converters available is Foobar 2000. It is available as a free download from AfterDawn and it natively supports OGG format. It also will allow you to easily convert it to another format or edit the tag information.

Download Foobar 2000 from AfterDawn at:

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/audio_software/audio_players/foobar2000.cfm

Play OGG in Windows Media Player and other DirectShow players

It is totally possible to play OGG files in Windows Media Player and technically any DirectShow-based player. Before you look at Windows Media Player directly, please first take a look at Media Player Classic, because with Windows Media Player, you will also need to install a plug-in to read the OGG tags correctly.

The first thing you need is a DirectShow filter. For OGG, you can download the Illiminable OGG Directshow Filter that adds support to DirectShow-based players for OGG.

Download it from:

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/codecs_and_filters/oggcodecs.cfm

Download Media Player Classic from:

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_players/media_player_classic.cfm

Install Illiminable OGG Directshow Filter

Once you have downloaded the DirectShow filter you will have to install it. The install process is very easy, just accept the license agreement and click Next until it is complete. There is nothing to configure now, but if everything went correctly you should be able to play OGG in DirectShow-based players like Media Player Classic and Windows Media Player.

With Windows Media Player however, while you can now play the files, the tag information (album info, artist info etc.) that is useful for the Media Library won't actually work. However you can fix that with WMP Tag Support Extender.

Download WMP Tag Support Extender.

Install WMP Tag Support Extender

When you have downloaded WMP Tag Support Extender, run the installer. It is just a basic install and requires you to just clicking Next until it is complete, at which time, you can click Close.

Now you must configure Windows Media Player to use this add-on.

Configure Windows Media Player for WMP Tag Support Extender - 1

Open Windows Media Player. If you do not have the latest Windows Media Player, this might not work.

Download Windows Media Player by clicking here.

Now open Windows Media Player and you should see something similar to the picture located to the right of this text. Right-click somewhere on the top bar and scroll your pointer down to Tools --> Plug-ins --> WMPTagSupportExtender Plugin. This usually is already selected.

Make sure that there is a tick beside this plug-in or else Windows Media Player won't use it while playing OGG audio. Now there is another bit of configuring to do. Again, right click in the same spot, navigate to Tools --> Plug-ins --> Options and left-click on Options. This will open Windows Media Player Options in the Plug-in tab.

Configure Windows Media Player for WMP Tag Support Extender - 2

In the Plug-in tab in options you will see a list underneath Category. As you can see from the picture, you need to click Background. Now from the list that appears below, click on WMPTagSupportExtender (don't untick the box, click the text) and then move the mouse below to the Properties button and click it. This will now open a new window.

Configure Windows Media Player for WMP Tag Support Extender - 3

Now as you can see in the picture, a new Window will pop-up with settings for WMP Tag Support Extender. From here you can change some of the Read/Write options for tags. I recommend selecting Allow Write and then selecting both the options available to you below it.

Once you are done, click Refresh Now to refresh your library, then click OK. This should now work.