Taking into account all the multimedia information we visualize every day, we need, without a doubt, a small piece of software that nobody gives the value it deserves. This is the so-called video codec. In this post we are going to talk about what these elements of audiovisual files are so present and for what we use, without our knowing it, in our day to day.
If we didn’t use codecs, it would be impossible to be able to enjoy watching a movie or just listen to a song. Its function is, in summary, to encode and decode signals .
There are a good amount of different codecs for each type of file and each one of them has been created for a particular task . But the technology in which they are designed is quite novel and sure that it can get your attention. Read on to learn more about what these tiny video softwares are and the characteristics of each of them .
Index:
What is a video codec and what is it used for? programs?
As we indicated at the beginning of this post, a codec is the software that is responsible for encoding analog data to digital (compressing the digital flow so that its length be much smaller and can enter the available storage medium) and decode these , when necessary, to work and reproduce them in a format that the user can see or hear .
The latter occurs, simply, when we click on the file to play it, taking place in a few tenths of a second.
The task of codecs is quite complicated, because they all cause some quality to be lost by reducing the file size. The information is compressed at the time it is saved and decompressed while playback is taking place.
From the above we can say that the video codec , therefore, is any small software that complies with what is described in the previous paragraph and that works with audiovisual files , that is, video.
This is part of a set of many elements that come together to form the file: other codecs, image data, text, audio, interaction. Which is all inserted in a container.
What are the main types of video codecs that exist?
We can make a classification based on different aspects, such as utility or loss of information. Depending on the utility, each video codec has been implemented by a different company and has its own algorithm .
Their specifications are different and apply to different fields. Therefore, we must know how to choose the one we need perfectly depending on what we want to use it for .
To reproduce
Are those that are designed to work very quickly and make the reproduction of the file they accompany have the best features (clarity, fluency, etc.).
Often, are required to be able to run audiovisual files in somewhat strange formats that, by default, our team does not read, interpret or reproduce properly. The codecs work on these files that cannot be read so you can enjoy them.
To edit
Contrary to what we have just seen, the editing codecs are designed to keep even the smallest detail of the file so that all, 100%, is available to be modified . The procedure for handling files is slower because there is much more information to show, looking for quality to be maintained.
Another way to classify these softwares, and this time we are not just talking about the video ones, but about everyone at a general level is based on the loss they cause to occur .
Lost codec
It is the one that, when it starts up and begins to compress the files, causes these to lose part of their content . In this case, lighter files are achieved.
Lossless codec
The coding occurs but the result is a file that, because of not having diminished its quality due to not losing parts, is much heavier .
How to install an easy and fast audiovisual codec in your editor or video player
Installing a video codec on our computers is a simple task. In fact, this is not usually done individually but in ready-made packages that include several of them .
If the idea is to look for a single codec in particular, we must emphasize that this will become a rather complicated task unless, as we say, we find it within a pcl and get done with it.
We can get the K-Lite Codec Pack package, which comes with all the necessary software for video and audio playback to practically play any type of file. It is the best valued and, without a doubt, one of the most complete to get for free .
We also recommend the CCCP pack, which is also well stocked in terms of quantity and variety. When we install it, will do an analysis of the equipment to see the codecs already present within the system. This is notified to the user and gives him the option to keep it or replace it with the correct and most current codec.
In any case, knowing that there are many others and that there are no better or worse, but some that are better suited to our needs; It’s just a matter of searching.
If we connect to the Microsoft store directly we can get codecs that we need in a simple way. In addition, only in this way will we be able to install them in our equipment or as if it were one more application , with the approval of the corporation, that is, without the “handicap” of being installing something not official, of doubtful or potentially harmful origin.
But, come on, this is something that the company releases us when we install practically anything so if any of the packs that we have proposed or other are of your interest, go ahead with the installation.
Any pack is downloaded compressed and / or in an executable and installed as we do with any other file . Double click, follow the instructions of the installer, and voila! The softwares remain on your computer and you can now play the multimedia files that perhaps you weren’t before.
Sometimes, we can access the help menu of our editing or playback program and from there look for the option where it invites us to find and install the codecs necessary to see each image. This other way to, in the end, take us to the same place.
List of the best codecs to edit or play audiovisual content of all kinds
The videos are compressed by a series of codecs, and we have already seen that in the compression process they may lose some information; This will depend on the software used.
Next, we will show what are the most used video codecs for editing and playing audiovisual content:
MPG
This is one of the best known by users. It provides a large number of possibilities at the time of compression of the files.
The three best known types are:
- MPEG-1: Used to make VCDs . It combines with the MPS codec for audio coding . It provides a lot of support on all types of computers so it is available for the vast majority. Its quality is not too good, because only allows progressive scanning of the image.
- MPEG-2: Image quality is a bit higher than the previous one. It is frequently used in DVDs, as it allows you to make a progressive and interlaced scan of the files.
- MPEG-4 : It has been developed in based on the previous model, but improving compression methods , making it the best codec in the whole family. It focuses on the distribution of content on networks so, in addition to being good with video, it includes audio and interactivity specifications.
H.264 or MPEG-4 AVC
This was created in 2003. It is one of the most used because it has a great compression capacity and a minimum loss of information and quality in doing so. It is mostly used to compress 3D or HD videos although we currently see it a lot in real-time streaming.
At present the H.265 codec already exists , which is capable of compressing videos in 4D, although it is not really used, in part, because of the little content available.
DIVX
This is the first video codec that had been used in DVD movies. Its initial objective was to decrease the size of the video and burn the content to a CD without compressing the audio .
An alternative was created for this codec, called XVID, although the former was better in terms of quality. In addition, there were a large number of players that supported it, so that it remained at the forefront without getting the competitor who came out to make a remarkable place in the market.
Theora
This is a VP3-based codec created for low-power hardware because it consumes very little CPU. Work with a block-based compression for the movement so that there is no final loss of quality even if transcoding to VP3 that loss can prevent us.
VPS
It is a codec created with free code . It was made to be able to compete with H.264 , since its characteristics are very similar.
We wanted to let you know the best known. However, there are many more that you can use. You just have to take a look at any available package and you will see that you will find dozens of them , although in the end they always end up using them for their versatility, usefulness and good features.