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Multiple Choice

In telemedicine, what is the primary function of a CODEC?

A CODEC compresses and decompresses signals for transmission. In telemedicine, audio and video streams must travel over networks that vary in bandwidth and reliability. The encoder part reduces the data size by removing redundancy and, depending on the method, may trade some quality for smaller files. The decoder on the receiving end rebuilds the stream so the clinician and patient can understand and see each other in real time. This compression/decompression function is what makes smooth telemedicine sessions possible over real-world networks. The other options describe activities unrelated to encoding/decoding: scheduling meetings and storing patient records, or the incorrect implication that the tool transmits only audio.

A CODEC compresses and decompresses signals for transmission. In telemedicine, audio and video streams must travel over networks that vary in bandwidth and reliability. The encoder part reduces the data size by removing redundancy and, depending on the method, may trade some quality for smaller files. The decoder on the receiving end rebuilds the stream so the clinician and patient can understand and see each other in real time. This compression/decompression function is what makes smooth telemedicine sessions possible over real-world networks.

The other options describe activities unrelated to encoding/decoding: scheduling meetings and storing patient records, or the incorrect implication that the tool transmits only audio.