A codec is a downloadable software encoder or decoder for a particular media format that is geared towards a specific computer platform. Codecs function much like plugins for browsers, and are used by players or authoring software to work with the specific media type. Most codecs that you will come across are decoders that are geared to presenting media content to players.

Go to the Windows Control Panel (Start > Settings > Control Panel) and double-click on 'System' to go to the System Properties. Click on the 'Hardware' tab, then on the 'Device manager' button. Open 'Sound, video and game controllers'. Right-click on 'Audio Codecs' and select 'Properties'. On the properties tab you can remove audio codecs.

The Basic Edition of the QDesign Music Codec is shipped as the standard music codec for Apple QuickTime. The Professional Edition of the QDesign Music Codec is available for purchase directly through QDesign Corporation or authorized resellers.

The word "codec" comes from COder/DECoder. A codec defines the algorithm used to convert analog signal into digital signal and vice versa. Each algorithm consumes different amount of bandwidth and provides different voice quality level. In the VoIP world the codecs are used to encode the voice for transmission across an IP backbone. Another name for voip codecs is "vocoders".

CODEC is an acronym for COder/DECoder. CODEC is the focal point of a videoconferencing system. The various functions of Codec include conversion of wide band analog signals into digital form, and vice versa, and removal of redundancy in audio and video signals (compression/decompression). It reduces the signal bandwidth from approximately 90 MBPS to as low as 56 Kbps or 64 Kbps, for better transmission over communication channels.