by Andy Stetzinger
A Codec is a device or program capable of performing encoding and decoding on a digital data stream or signal. The word codec may be a combination of any of the following: 'Compressor-Decompressor', 'Coder-Decoder', or 'Compression/Decompression algorithm'.
In other words, it's the program used when a video was made. It takes the 'essence' of the video, wraps it up, and tells the computer how to handle it. A common problem when an end user wants to watch a video stream encoded with a specific codec is that if the exact codec is not present and properly installed on the user's machine, the video won't play (or won't play optimally).
Windows XP SP2 itself only has a very limited number of video and audio codecs installed, other than Microsoft formats, Intel Indeo is the only available .avi Codec that is installed per default. All other codec formats, such as DivX, Xvid or Matroska must be installed manually.
Mac's don't come with many codecs either, Linux? Even less. Again, the user must manually install additional codecs by themselves. While some tools are available to help users identify the proper codec, and tell them where to go download the codec, and the 9 other things they need to do to get the codec to work properly, the best advice I can give you is to avoid "codec hell" all together.
My personal recommendation is to use Flash to encode videos. Adobe/Macromedia reports that 96% of the computers online today are able to view Flash content. You simply aren't going to get a better percentage out of anything else.
KeyThing's video systems re-encode your videos to Flash on the fly so you don't have to worry about it. I keep my eyes open for new and emerging codecs, and make sure that our technology works with them. Making Codecs one less thing for you to think about when creating or adding video to your web site.
Permission to reprint this article is granted by its author, provided the copyright is not removed, and the following text accompanies each article you use:
Andy Stetzinger (aka: High Tech) writes regularly on the technical side of online video, how and why it is so effective, and how easy it is for you to use. For your free copy of our 36 page blockbuster report "ONLINE VIDEO SECRETS REVEALED - an Insiders Guide" along with a complimentary subscription to our monthly e-newsletter, "High Tech & High Touch," go to http://www.keything.com/vomw
A Codec is a device or program capable of performing encoding and decoding on a digital data stream or signal. The word codec may be a combination of any of the following: 'Compressor-Decompressor', 'Coder-Decoder', or 'Compression/Decompression algorithm'.
In other words, it's the program used when a video was made. It takes the 'essence' of the video, wraps it up, and tells the computer how to handle it. A common problem when an end user wants to watch a video stream encoded with a specific codec is that if the exact codec is not present and properly installed on the user's machine, the video won't play (or won't play optimally).
Windows XP SP2 itself only has a very limited number of video and audio codecs installed, other than Microsoft formats, Intel Indeo is the only available .avi Codec that is installed per default. All other codec formats, such as DivX, Xvid or Matroska must be installed manually.
Mac's don't come with many codecs either, Linux? Even less. Again, the user must manually install additional codecs by themselves. While some tools are available to help users identify the proper codec, and tell them where to go download the codec, and the 9 other things they need to do to get the codec to work properly, the best advice I can give you is to avoid "codec hell" all together.
My personal recommendation is to use Flash to encode videos. Adobe/Macromedia reports that 96% of the computers online today are able to view Flash content. You simply aren't going to get a better percentage out of anything else.
KeyThing's video systems re-encode your videos to Flash on the fly so you don't have to worry about it. I keep my eyes open for new and emerging codecs, and make sure that our technology works with them. Making Codecs one less thing for you to think about when creating or adding video to your web site.
Permission to reprint this article is granted by its author, provided the copyright is not removed, and the following text accompanies each article you use:
Andy Stetzinger (aka: High Tech) writes regularly on the technical side of online video, how and why it is so effective, and how easy it is for you to use. For your free copy of our 36 page blockbuster report "ONLINE VIDEO SECRETS REVEALED - an Insiders Guide" along with a complimentary subscription to our monthly e-newsletter, "High Tech & High Touch," go to http://www.keything.com/vomw
No comments:
Post a Comment