Codec

A codec (encoder/decoder) generally refers to an electronic device or software component that is capable of encoding signals from an analog or other source into a digital file in a process sometimes referred to as .

History
The term "codec" came into more widespread use with the release of QuickTime from Apple Computer in December 1991, which introduced various algorithms for digitally encoding video and audio.

Articles

 * A quick look at Apple's QuickTime by Yuval Kossovsky at Computerworld  (2005-03-31)