Free Realtek HD sound codec
Realtek High Definition Audio Codec is free software for your Windows PC that updates Realtek HD sound to the latest driver for Windows 10. The driver allows for high-quality sound, and with multi-streaming, you can make voice over IP (VoIP) calls from your PC, providing excellent sound quality.
The software is compatible with Windows 7 up to Windows 10, and it has no extra requirements. Other codec alternatives are AC’97 Audio Codec, K-Lite Codec Pack, and IDT High Definition Audio CODEC.
HD audio is a standard for high-quality audio on Intel chipsets. It offers features like multi-streaming, surround sound, and high-quality acoustics. It is available in three formats:
Realtek HD audio
- Dolby Sound Room supports two audio channels to simulate 5.1 audio while using only two speakers.
- Dolby Home Theater offers six channels (5.1) and has a minimum signal-to-noise ratio of 85 dB.
- Dolby Master Studio has eight channels (7.1) with a minimum of 95 dB signal-to-noise ratio.
These levels show users the onboard quality they can expect from the motherboard by looking at the Dolby logo printed on the box.
The Realtek high definition audio driver is a popular sound driver for Windows operating systems and manages surround sound like Dolby and DTS systems. It is an essential part of your system since no sound device will work without it.
Realtek HD audio codec
The word codec is a short form for coder-decoder. An audio codec uses a program or algorithm to convert sound to a compressed, digitally encoded form and return it to uncompressed sound after transfer. Codecs have different bandwidth and computer processing requirements.
Wideband audio users have greater frequencies of the sound spectrum for improved speech quality. The Realtek High Definition Audio Codec makes this wideband or HD voice available for your system. Different VoIP (voice over IP) phones need to use the same codec to communicate.
Codec for VoIP calls
The Realtek High Definition Audio Codec is an essential part of your system for acoustic devices to work. It provides HD quality surround sound, and multi-streaming lets you make VoIP calls with outstanding clarity and sound.
Realtek doesn’t publish any change log, so users need to download and install the new driver to see any improvements the developer has made in the latest release.