What is Codec?

A codec compresses and decompresses video data for storage and playback. Learn about H.264, H.265, AV1, and how codecs affect video quality and file size.

  • Video Formats & Codecs
  • 4 related terms
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Definition

A codec is a software algorithm that encodes raw video data into a compressed format for storage or transmission, and decodes it for playback. Common video codecs include H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9, and AV1.

Codec explained

The word codec is a portmanteau of 'encoder' and 'decoder.' Every video file uses a codec to compress the enormous amount of raw pixel data into a manageable file size. H.264 (AVC) remains the most universally compatible codec and is the standard export format for most social media platforms. H.265 (HEVC) offers roughly 50% better compression at equivalent quality but has slower encoding and slightly less universal playback support. Newer codecs like AV1 provide even better compression ratios and are increasingly adopted by streaming platforms. The choice of codec affects file size, encoding speed, visual quality, and platform compatibility. BlitzReels exports video using platform-optimized codec settings so creators do not need to configure codec parameters manually.

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BlitzReels provides the tools and automation to put these concepts into practice.

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