What is the purpose of a codec in digital transmission?

A codec plays a crucial role in digital transmission by converting analog signals into a digital format. This process involves encoding the analog signal into a digital representation that can be easily transmitted, processed, and stored by digital systems. In communication systems, analog signals, such as voice or music, need to be transformed into a digital format to ensure efficient transmission over various types of networks, including the internet.

By converting the analog signals into digital format, a codec allows for various benefits such as improved signal integrity, the ability to compress data for more efficient bandwidth usage, and compatibility with digital communication systems. The use of codecs is fundamental in applications like telecommunication, video conferencing, and digital audio streaming, where high-quality transmission is essential.