The best replacement for codec is modem.

The best alternatives to codec are rated as following:
★★★★★  modem
★★★★  container
★★★  format
★★★  filter
★★★  wrapper
★★  ffdshow
★  codec
★  container format
★  codex
★  k-lite codec
★  prores 422
★  divx
★  vocoder
★  k-lite
★  decoder
  ogg vorbis audio codec
  g711
  klite
  storm codec
  xvid codec
  divx codec
  prores
  mpeg4
  xvid

Your alternative for codec is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about codec, one probably shouldn't forget about windows media player.

Other search terms related to codec and their ratings are:
★★★★★ windows media player
★★★★★ media player classic
★★★ gom player
★★★ avi
★★ windows movie maker
★★ media player
★★ high definition audio
★ flv
★ dsp
★ divx
★ mp4
You have in mind a companion for codec and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of codec in all years. Click on graph for more.
codec
modem
container