A codec is a device or program capable of encoding and/or
decoding 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'.  Related concepts   In the recent software sense,
codecs encode a data stream or signal for transmission, storage
or encryption, or decode it for viewing or editing. Codecs are
often used in videoconferencing and streaming media
applications. A video camera's analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
converts its analogue signals into digital signals, which are
then passed through a video compressor for digital transmission
or storage. A receiving device then runs the signal through a
video decompressor, then a digital-to-analogue converter (DAC)
for analogue display. A "codec" is a generic name for a video
conferencing unit.  An audio compressor converts analogue audio
signals into digital signals for transmission or storage. A
receiving device then converts the digital sig