COmpresor/DECompresor, that's what codec stand for. Basycally, it's a program (called filter) that "archives and extract" the content of a file. Video files consist of 2 streams (or more) audio, video and others (like subtitles). So, to decode the file you need the decoder and the splitter. BSPlayer uses the installed filters, winamp uses it's own filters, dvd players comes with own MPEG2 decoders to play vob files, and so on. To play DivX avis you need an DivX decoder or to activate the "support all mpeg4 (or something like this)" in XviD decoder or vice-versa. To play vobs, you need an MPEG2 decoder, such as elecard or bitctrl, or intervideo.
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