Client software requests connections and communications with servers. A computer playing content with Windows Media Player is often called the client. An algorithm or scheme used when recording digital video or audio. A codec is used, for example, when video is compressed on the sending end and decompressed on the receiving end. Windows Media Tools provides a choice of codecs for Windows Media-based content.
Users can select a codec based on the audio or image quality, and image size preferred.
The coding of data to reduce file size or the bit rate of a stream. Content that has been compressed must be decompressed for playback. A codec contains the algorithms for compressing and decompressing audio and video. The data that servers stream to clients through unicast or multicast. Content can originate from live audio or live video presentation, stored audio or video files, still images, or slide shows.