In a typical AV system, what does a codec do?

The role of a codec in a typical AV system is to encode and decode audio and video signals. This process is critical for the transmission and storage of media content. When audio or video is recorded or transmitted, it often needs to be compressed to minimize file size and bandwidth usage. The codec takes the raw data and encodes it into a format that can be efficiently transmitted or stored. On the receiving end, the codec then decodes the encoded data back into a format that can be played back or processed. This ability to convert between formats is essential for ensuring compatibility across various devices and platforms in AV systems.

While amplifying audio signals, switching output devices, and capturing video are all important functions within an AV setup, they do not relate to the specific function of encoding and decoding signals, which is the exclusive purpose of a codec.