Playback

Updated: 12/20/2024 by Computer Hope

Playback may refer to any of the following:

Illustration: Playback of a video file.

1. With a file, playback describes media files containing audio or video stored on the computer that can be opened (played) at any time. When opened, these files are often played in a media player.

Playback may also describe content that's uploaded and stored on the Internet and streamed to a computer later. Examples are a video on YouTube or a song downloaded from Spotify. Playback of content differs from live-streamed content, which is consumed in real-time by an audience over the Internet.

2. With hardware, a playback device is a device that can listen to audio or watch video. For example a monitor, speakers, and headphones are all examples of playback devices.

Codec, File, Internet terms, Media, QuickTime, Sound terms, Streaming, Video terms, Windows Media Player