We demystify the most common Bluetooth codecs and explain why they matter for audio quality. I've been a contributing editor for PCMag since 2011. Before that, I was PCMag's lead audio analyst from ...

With the rise in popularity of wireless headphones and earbuds, a lot of technical terms have come along with them. From wireless charging to Bluetooth multipoint, wear sensors, ANC and transparency, ...

Have you ever overheard someone casually talking about their preferred audio codecs, or perhaps questioning the value of one model of wireless earbuds versus another because of the audio codecs they ...

Smartphone manufacturers all but took away our beloved phones with headphone jacks. Now we’re left buying admittedly great wireless earbuds hand over fist. But listening to music is no longer a ...

It’s been 3-plus years since the MPEG codec explosion that brought us VVC, LCEVC, and EVC. Rather than breathlessly trumpet every single-digit quality improvement or design win, I’ll quickly get you ...

Streaming platforms and video services have long relied on open-source codecs like x264, x265, SVT-AV1, libaom, and libvp9, all readily available in FFmpeg. For many users, these codecs offer ...

Maintaining a Windows-based PC has, in most respects, gotten easier over the years. OS 'hackability' (the bad kind) has dropped, and Windows Update has become a terrific tool for minimal-intervention ...

Still gaming or streaming music over SBC like it’s 2005? Get the real scoop on which Bluetooth codecs — AAC, aptX, LDAC, or LHDC — are actually worth your ears. If you’re streaming hi-res audio tracks ...

I'm having an issue where I can't figure out what codec the 360 supports. I have converted a few of my DVDS (using AnyDVD and Handbrake) using both xvid and h.264 (avi container) with a bitrate of ...