(1) (enCOder/DECoder) A hardware circuit that performs analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) and digital-to-analog (DAC) conversion. When analog signals are entered into a computer, cellphone or other device via a microphone or video source such as VHS tape or analog TV, an ADC creates the raw digital audio or video samples. Quite often, the results are then further compressed to save bandwidth (see definition #2).
(2) (enCOder/DECoder or COmpressor/DECompressor) Software or hardware that compresses and decompresses audio and video data streams. The purpose of this type of codec is to reduce the size of digital audio samples and video frames in order to speed up transmission and save storage space.
The goal of codec designers is to maintain audio and video quality while compressing the binary data further. Lossy methods are widely used, which actually discard bits that most people cannot hear or see. The algorithms may be implemented entirely in software, in which case the PC does all of the processing. In handheld devices, the codecs are chips.
Codecs Are Specialized
Speech codecs are specialized audio codecs that look for voice patterns and characteristics. Since the human voice falls into a much more limited audio range than music, a speech codec is able to compress voice conversations even further. For a list of popular codecs, see codec examples. See companding, codec switching and lossy compression.
(2) (enCOder/DECoder or COmpressor/DECompressor) Software or hardware that compresses and decompresses audio and video data streams. The purpose of this type of codec is to reduce the size of digital audio samples and video frames in order to speed up transmission and save storage space.
The goal of codec designers is to maintain audio and video quality while compressing the binary data further. Lossy methods are widely used, which actually discard bits that most people cannot hear or see. The algorithms may be implemented entirely in software, in which case the PC does all of the processing. In handheld devices, the codecs are chips.
Codecs Are Specialized
Speech codecs are specialized audio codecs that look for voice patterns and characteristics. Since the human voice falls into a much more limited audio range than music, a speech codec is able to compress voice conversations even further. For a list of popular codecs, see codec examples. See companding, codec switching and lossy compression.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- FastPictureViewer WIC Codec Pack 1.50 (Windows)
- A set of free 32-bit and 64-bit codecs that enable full support for raw image formats from 12 manufacturers, covering 300 digital cameras in Windows 7, Vista and XP. Provides thumbnail support in Windows Explorer, along with viewing and slideshows in Photo Gallery / Photo Viewer and Window 7's Media...
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- Sonne Screen Video Capture is powerful screen capture software that can capture any part of screen from your desktop, and save the images in BMP or JPEG formats. Besides, it offers you the function of capturing video and image from DV, TV Tuner and other capture devices in real time....
- Software downloads 2009-11-26
- FLAC frontend 1.7 (Windows)
- FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec, an audio format similar to MP3, but lossless, meaning that audio is compressed in FLAC without any loss in quality. This is similar to how Zip works, except with FLAC you will get much better compression because it is designed specifically for audio,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-25
- x264 Video Codec r1347 (Windows)
- This is a free library for encoding H264/AVC video streams. The code is written from scratch by Laurent Aimar, Loren Merritt, Eric PetitOS X, Min Chen (vfw/asm), Justin Clayvfw, Mans Rullgard, Christian Heine asm, and Alex Izvorski asm. Some key features include CAVLC/CABAC, Multi-references, Intra: all macroblock types (16x16, 8x8,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
- MicroVideo Software DVD Ripper Premium 1.1.6.192 (Windows)
- With DVD Ripper Premium you can convert any DVD movies to MPEG-1, MPEG-2, AVI (DivX, XVid, MP43, YUV). It enables you to watch and copy DVD movies on any DVD drive. Combining powerful functionality with a straightforward interface, DVD Ripper Premium provides an easy way to transfer DVD information onto...
- Software downloads 2009-11-22
- MicroVideo Video Converter Professional 8.2.3.136 (Windows)
- Video Converter Professional is a powerful video software that supports conversion of many video formats: MP4, 3GP, AAC, AC3, MP2, MP3, MOV, MPEG, RM, WAV, and SWF. What's more, Video Converter Professional allows adjusting parameters of audio/video codec. Moreover, you can also extract and convert the audio from a video...
- Software downloads 2009-11-22
- Yaease FLV to iPod Converter 2.1.7.8 (Windows)
- Yaease FLV to iPod Converter is the best solution for converting flash videoFLV to iPod MP4 video format,with it you can convert your favorite flash video to your favorite iPod anytime and anywhere. It supports batch flash video convert with speed and quality. You can use the predefined profile setting...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Realtek High Definition Audio Codec (Windows Vista / Windows 7) R2.37 (11/20/2009) (Windows)
- Realtek HD audio driver package. The package includes: driver setup program, drivers for Vista 32-bit and 64-bit editions.
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Realtek High Definition Audio Codec (Windows 2000/XP/2003) R2.37 (11/20/2009) (Windows)
- Realtek HD audio driver package. The package includes: Driver setup program, WDM driver, Realtek Soundman, Realtek Sound Effect Manager.
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Power Screen Capture 7.1.0.71 (Windows)
- With Power Screen Capture, you can capture screen from your desktop with high quality. Besides, it offers you the function of capturing video and image from other devices, DV and TV tuner. A list displays all the files captured by Power Screen Capture, and then you can view, copy, delete,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Vista Codec Package 5.4.9 (Windows)
- 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...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Micro Video Capture 7.0.0.663 (Windows)
- With Micro Video Capture, you can record video and image from Webcam, TV tuner card, digital camera and other capture devices in real time, and all captured video files can be saved as AVI format by using any compression codec. What's more, it enables you to set each capture device's...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Apple QuickTime 7.6.5 (Windows)
- Just launch QuickTime Player, and there's no telling where you're likely to land. The Player may whisk you to the Moon or perhaps to an exotic location on this planet. Take you on a virtual field trip to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Or treat you to...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- iWisoft Flash SWF to Video Converter 3.4 (Windows)
- iWisoft Flash SWF to Video Converter is the best option for SWF to Video Conversion. This powerful tool can easily convert Macromedia Flash SWF to video/audio/picture files of most popular formats. Convert Flash SWF to AVI/MPEG/WMV/FLV/MOV/3GP/MP4/iPod/PSP/Zune/MP3/GIF/PNG/BMP/animated GIF with excellent quality. It supports batch SWF conversion. And with this powerful SWF...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- DivX 7.2 (Mac)
- DivX 7 for Mac is a free digital video software suite with everything you need to enjoy high-quality digital videos on your computer, including high definition H.264 (.mkv) videos with AAC audio and videos created using all previous versions of DivX technology. You can also play your DivX files (.divx,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-17
- RER 3GP Converter 3.7.2 (Windows)
- RER 3GP Converter is a powerful video converter that can convert all popular video to 3GP/3GPP/3G2/3GP2 video playable on your mobile phone. A professional mobile phone tool 100% supported by Motorola, Nokia or other software 3GP players. Easy to use and free to try. Key Features: 1. Convert to 3GP/3G2...
- Software downloads 2009-11-17
- RER AVI Converter 3.7.2 (Windows)
- RER AVI Converter is a powerful program, which supports almost all popular file extensions such as AVI, MPEG, WMV, ASF and 3GP as well as other available codecs. It is a powerful video format converter that can convert AVI to video and convert video to AVI. It is also a...
- Software downloads 2009-11-17
- RER MP4 Converter 3.7.2 (Windows)
- RER MP4 Converter is an outstanding and professional video converter for millions of MP4 users to convert almost all popular video files to MP4 format, or MP4 to video. Easy to use and free download. With RER MP4 Converter, you can convert your video to MP4 (MPEG4) for portable video...
- Software downloads 2009-11-17
- RER Audio Converter 3.7.2 (Windows)
- RER Audio Converter converts between most known audio files: WAV, OGG Vorbis, MP3, MP2, WMA, AAC, M4A and other well-known media formats according to your wish. Convert between any audio file format With lots of codec built in, RER Audio Converter can convert audio files between almost any formats, including...
- Software downloads 2009-11-17
- RER HD Movie Converter 3.7.2 (Windows)
- RER HD Movie Converter is the best HD movie convert tool which supports decoding and encoding of all High-Definition video formats including HD AVI, H.264/AVC, MKV, AVCHD, HD MPEG4 TS, HD MPEG2 TS, HD WMV, HD Quick Time, ASF-HD and more in both 1080P & 720P. RER HD Movie Converter...
- Software downloads 2009-11-17
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