Codecs
Codec is a term that combines compression and decompression. Transmitting video streams or storing video files in a compressed format to save bandwidth and storage capacity requires one algorithm to compress the video and another to decompress it at the system receiving the stream or playing the file.
Containers
Containers are just that, a container sort of like a shipping box, that holds all the pieces of your file together so that when you want to play back a file, everything needed is there. An example might be including subtitles or metadata with your video. Some container types are capable of this while others are not, which may influence the type you choose. This is illustrated in the article ExacqVision Export Video File Types
<br>