A codec is software that is used to generate and play back the AVI movie file. Windows comes with a small number of codecs installed by default, and when exporting a BB FlashBack Express movie you must select which one to use. As well as these default codecs, your PC may have had others installed by third party applications. However, because the codec is also used to play back the movie, a PC will be unable to play back the AVI file if it does not have the codec you selected during the export process.
Recommendations on selecting codecs:
If possible, determine which codec and display settings will give you the best quality movies by testing the recording and playback on suitable PCs. Exports using some codecs will result in an unclear image on some PCs in certain display modes.
Of the default codecs supplied with Windows 2000 and XP, "Indeo video 5.1" usually gives the most consistent quality at a reasonable file size.
There are many codecs that can be installed by third party applications. If you have the "DivX" codec installed, and know that this is also installed on the PC that will be used for playback, it can be used instead of the default codecs. When "high definition" mode is selected in the options for the DivX codec it should give good quality at a smaller file size than any of the default codecs installed with Windows 2000 or XP.
Note: A normal Windows installation will need to have the DivX codec installed before it is able to play movies exported using the codec.