What is the primary purpose of a codec in audiovisual technology?

The primary purpose of a codec in audiovisual technology is to compress and decompress signals. This process is crucial for efficient data transmission and storage. By compressing audio and video data, codecs reduce the file size, making it easier to store and transmit over various networks without sacrificing quality. When the compressed file is needed for playback, the codec then decompresses the data, allowing it to be processed and viewed or listened to by the end-user.

Compression is important in many scenarios, such as streaming video online, where bandwidth may be limited, or in archiving footage where storage space is a concern. While codecs can indirectly influence audio and video quality through the type of compression used, their primary function remains focused on the handling of data size, not enhancement or broadcasting directly.