A coder-decoder (codec) utilizes what method to break down video images into digital bytes?

The method used by a coder-decoder (codec) to break down video images into digital bytes is primarily through encoding. When video images are captured, a codec encodes them, effectively converting the analog signals from the video into a digital format that can be stored or transmitted. This process often involves compressing the data to reduce file sizes and facilitate smoother streaming or storage. Encoding encompasses various techniques, including algorithms that specify how the data is transformed into a digital stream.

While other options like compression, algorithms, and encryption play roles in video processing and security, they do not directly define the initial encoding process that a codec performs on video images. Compression focuses on minimizing the amount of data, while algorithms refer to the mathematical procedures that can help in the compression and encoding processes, and encryption is concerned with securing the data rather than its initial conversion. Hence, the core function of a codec in transforming video images into a digital format is fundamentally the encoding process.