Meaning & use
codec
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Meaning
nouncountablecomputing
A program or device that compresses digital sound or video for storage and sending, and unpacks it again for playback.
Grammar: Countable: install a codec, several codecs.
Patterns
- a codec for something
- use a codec to do something
The video would not play because the player lacked the right codec.
This codec squeezes music files without much loss of quality.
Streaming services choose a codec that balances quality and file size.
Word forms
| plural | codecs |
|---|
Common combinations
- audio codec
- The audio codec reduces the file size of the song.
- video codec
- A modern video codec can stream high-definition films.
- install a codec
- You may need to install a codec to watch this clip.
- lossless codec
- A lossless codec keeps every detail of the original sound.
- support a codec
- The phone supports several codecs.
Synonyms and how they differ
- encoder
- An encoder only compresses data, while a codec does both compressing and decompressing.
- compressor
- A compressor reduces data size in general, while a codec specifically handles encoding and decoding of media.
- format
- A format is the file type, such as MP3, while a codec is the software that creates and reads it.
Word family
Commonly confused: codec or codex? codec or container?
codec vs codex
A codex is an ancient book made of bound pages, which has nothing to do with digital compression.
codec vs container
A container, such as MP4, holds audio and video streams, while a codec compresses each stream.
Practice
The video file would not play because the player did not support its _____.
Choose one answer.
A codec is the method for compressing and reading media. Codex is an old book and cord is a string, so only codec fits.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “codec”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.