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Different codecs work for different multimedia formats. To put it simply, a codec is a software program created to encode or decode digital data into something that your PC can understand and play.
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So, if you're using Windows Media Player, for instance, and stumble upon a video file that you can't get it to open and play (for the simple reason that it doesn't support the format of that file), then all you need to do is install the right codec to solve the problem. We are all familiar with media players and the fact there is a mind-boggling variety of media formats out there.
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