(1) Short for compressor/decompressor, a codec is any technology for compressing and decompressing data. Codecs can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both. Some popular codecs for computervideo include MPEG, Indeo and Cinepak.
(2) In telecommunications, (short for coder/decoder) a device that encodes or decodes a signal. For example, telephone companies use codecs to convert binary signals transmitted on their digital networks to analog signals converted on their analog networks.
(3) The translation of a binary value into a voltage that can be transmitted over a wire.
The Almost Definitive FOURCC Definition List This site contains descriptions of RGB and YUV pixel formats used by Video for Windows, DCI and DirectDraw. Also included is a list of AVI codec FOURCCs and links to sites offering codec information or downloads.
