How do Windows users feel abvout H.264 videos?

[Cleo]

I'm getting ready to encode some vids for a new member's area and I'm seriously considering making them H.264 format.

They play great on Macs and can also be used on iPods from what I understand although I don't own a video iPod to test on yet.

They don't seem to play on my default install of WindowsXP unless I install QuickTime, which is free, or a plugin form Lead Codecs

Apple also has information on H.264

Been using MPGs but this format seem to be getting long in the tooth and don't want to use WMVs so looking at alternatives.