CODEC, in the context of computing, is an acronym for COmpressor/DECompressor. It refers to a small piece of code (program) which is used to compress and decompress data, you will normally come across these when using Audio and Video.

Each CODEC is specifically designed to compress or decompress certain file types. An example of a CODEC would be the DivX CODEC, which is commonly used to view AVI video files on computers and certain DVD/Blue Ray players.

You may be prompted during internet use to download a CODEC if you visit a site that requires a certain CODEC not already installed on your PC. Always ensure that the website is trusted before installing anything that a website asks you.

Back to Computer Dictionary