Codecs are vital to the NetShow experience because the .asf file creation tools use the codecs to compress the ASF information small enough to fit on reduced-bandwidth networks. NetShow Player then uses the same codec to uncompress and then play the ASF information. When you use the tools to create .asf files or live ASF streaming, you apply a codec to the audio, image, or video source before you turn the source into ASF information. Each type of information has its particular codecs that must be used to compress that source.
Several audio and video codecs are provided for use with the content creation tools. NetShow tools can use any codec that is on your computer; however, the computer that NetShow Player is on must also have the codec in order to play the .asf file or ASF stream. The NetShow content creation tools do not come with the same number of codecs. See the following sections for the codecs that are part of each installation.
Codecs are designed to compress their source files to a certain bit rate, which means that not all codecs can be used to compress a file to a particular size. The difference in compression ratio also means a difference in playback quality. Those codecs that don't compress their sources as much usually sound and look richer and more dynamic. Choose the codec that suits your needs and sounds the best. For more information on using codecs with the ASF Editor or the ASF Real-Time Encoder, see each tool's online Help file.
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