What is a codec and what are they for?

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On the Internet you can often find the question "what codecs."To answer it, let's encoding digital data.

Each of us at least once to watch video on the computer, mobile device or player.And listening to audio tracks has become so common that now, out into the streets of the city, it is difficult not to meet someone with the headphones.At the same few people think about those calculations that have to perform CPU and graphics card, preparing the image or sound.It would seem that any calculations?The same cassette player without a CPU (not including special), remarkably coped with their tasks.However, such a comparison is incorrect, since any image is characterized not by the length of the magnetic tape in meters and a volume of -mega -Oral terabytes, and the free space on the carriers are always small.Generally, all questions disappear once voiced size digital video stream: in HDTV standard 1 minute takes about 3 GB.So now all video and audio is processed by special programs, reduces the file size by removing (compression, compression) are part of the non-essential data.There are many such programs, but only a few widely.For example, Kodak video - it is DivX, Xvid, x264 and so on. But in less diversity of sound.Basically, here reign following audio codecs: Mpeg Layer version 3, AC-3 format and uncompressed WAV.Now on the computer the average user to find an example uncompressed stream is almost impossible.

answer to the question "What is the codec" is: codec - a small specialized program or library (dll), which serves as the encoding (compression) and decoding files, multimedia streams.Suppose the user opened the file in a software player video.The structure of each file has information unit, indicating it with the help of the codec compression was performed.On the basis of the read information Player prompts the operating system data on the location of the codec and use it to decode the stream, the video output on the screen.If the system of this codec is not present, a message is displayed on the impossibility of reproducing.A special case - is only sound or only video.

Knowing what codecs can be useful in order to determine, with the help of which the target file has been compressed.This will require the program mediainfo, gspot or the like that reads the data block.There are many, sometimes even applications to work with multimedia files (Format Factory) provide such an opportunity.We direct the cursor to the desired file and call the menu.In the link "View" or "Send to" option will be necessary.Then the case for small - to download and install these codecs.

who know what codecs to easily solve the problem of inoperability of multimedia files.You do not need to delve into the features of a particular encoder or read multi-page instruction.Solution very simple - download and install special free codecs.Currently, one of the best - is K-Lite Codec Pack.The set is available in several versions, so do not regret spent a few extra megabytes, and immediately download Mega Pack.When installing beginners can use the parameters recommended by the developer, and the experienced user to choose to indicate that it is necessary to register in the system.After installing K-Lite all codecs will be registered and will be able to automatically connect to the player on request.That is, the presence of codecs to the user absolutely "transparent".

There is another way to play multimedia files.For this purpose are special players (PotPlayer, VLC, etc.).Algorithms for decoding are in themselves.