# Codec
> A codec compresses and decompresses audio or video so it can be stored or streamed efficiently.
Topics: Entertainment, Computing
Difficulty: Getting technical
Aliases: H.264, AV1, HEVC
Updated: 2026-06-26T08:00:00.000Z
## Go deeper
A codec compresses and decompresses audio or video so it can be stored or streamed efficiently. In everyday buying decisions, the useful question is not just what the spec says, but what it changes for comfort, cost, speed, safety, or battery life.