A codec is a device or computer program that encodes or decodes a digital data stream or signal. In video production, a codec takes raw video data and compresses it into a format that can be stored or transmitted more efficiently. The codec also decompresses the data when it is played back. Knowing how to check which codec was used to compress a video file can be important for compatibility, editing, and other purposes.
There are many different codecs available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common codecs include: