But hackers have found that when the codec is fed with high quality video from a DVD disc, it produces files that are much smaller than the original but are still watchable.

BBC: Video shrinks with MP4

Also, there's this whole format thing about VC1 and how VC1 has emerged -- that's pretty hardcore -- but our codec's emerged as the highest quality even versus the MPEG-4 stuff which if you'd asked people a year ago they would have said there's no chance of that happening and that's happened in a very big way.

ENGADGET: A lunchtime chat with Bill Gates at CES

Samsung's Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker (model DA-F60) brings advanced sound quality with an apt-X codec, while offering the simplicity of Near-Field Communications (NFC) connectivity.

ENGADGET: Samsung introduces its CES audio hardware, claims a world first

Users will also enjoy improved performance and a high-quality experience with the built in apt-X codec technology, which boosts the Bluetooth speaker's extensive dynamic range, particularly at the top end.

ENGADGET: Samsung introduces its CES audio hardware, claims a world first

Apt-X is a unique codec that reproduces robust sound that's true-to-life, providing CD quality audio, regardless of file compression encoding.

ENGADGET: Altec Lansing's inMotion Air speaker system streams from just about anywhere