RE: What is an AVI?

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From: Lee (Lee_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 11/02/04 

Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 04:46:03 -0800

It should also be mentioned that CODECs are essentially mathematical
algorithms residing as .dll files in the system directory. They are used to
compress a raw file into a smaller output, or to decompress a file into a
usable plaback form. There are a relatively few audio codecs, and a large
number of video codecs. They are usually identified internally as a
four-character code that gets embedded into the compressed file, and the
playback software extracts those characters from the file and uses to locate
the codec algorithm on your disk.

Obviously, the decompression algorithm must correctly reverse the file
according to the compression algorithm used. That requirement alone causes
users a big headache, since there are so many different algorithms. It
doesn't help users that everyone is fighting each other tooth and nail for an
extra dollar.

"marilyn" wrote:

> What is an AVI,XviD,DivX3/4/5etc...and how do I know which one I am playing
> and what codec I need to play it after it is downloading?(it being a movie)
> Please help.
> --
> marilyn

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