# Roon OS Missing Codecs---##### [[_ROCK: Getting Started_|ROCK: Getting Started]] _> Roon OS Missing Codecs_---<br> ## BackgroundRoon does not ship with patented codecs such as MP3 and AAC on any platform.- On Android/iOS, Roon does not decode audio formats.- On Windows/Mac, it uses the built-in system codecs.- On Linux, Roon expects to find the codecs installed as part of the Linux based operating system.- On Roon Core Partner hardware devices, the partner is expected to license the codecs required and provide them in their operating system.Because Roon OS (the operating system behind [[Roon Optimized Core Kit]]) is optimized to do nothing but run Roon in the most efficient manner possible, it lacks the general purpose packages that come along with a large server or desktop Linux OS install.## Missing Codecs?If you visit the web UI of Roon OS, it may tell you that you are missing codecs (with a link to this page.)To rectify this situation, you will need to make the codecs accessible to Roon OS. This is done by placing the `ffmpeg` file in the `Codecs` folder of Roon OS's shared `data` directory.Note, the file must be called `ffmpeg` and must live in the `/Data/Codecs/` directory in your Roon OS's network share (so make sure you uncompress the .xz file). The ffmpeg must be a statically linked Linux ELF x64 binary. One place you can get those here: http://johnvansickle.com/ffmpeg/## How To Add Codecs: Step By Step1. **Download `ffmpeg`** - Roon will need access to the required codecs via the `/Data/Codecs/` directory. You will need to download these codecs on another computer before placing them on ROCK. - For example, grab https://johnvansickle.com/ffmpeg/builds/ffmpeg-git-amd64-static.tar.xz and uncompress it. Remember, no additional files from that package are required, only `ffmpeg`. - If you are using Windows and do not have the ability to uncompress .tar files, we recommend downloading the open-source program [7-Zip](https://www.7-zip.org/)1. **Connect To Roon OS** - Roon OS exposes a shared network folder called `Data`. You can access this SMB share by following the instructions here [[here|Roon OS Data Directory]].1. **Copy Codecs to Roon OS** - Place the `ffmpeg` file in the `Codecs` folder, which you can find in Roon OS's `Data` directory 1. **Restart Your Core** - Restart Roon Server using the Roon OS web interface
![Minimal Os X Installation For Roon Minimal Os X Installation For Roon](/uploads/1/2/6/6/126602557/934836805.png)
Minimal Os X Installation For Room Design
This is a minimal Linux installation that Roon recommends be installed on a dedicated Intel NUC. I wondered whether it could be virtualized as well. So I tried it and got stuck, until I found a very helpful thread on the Roon community forum here. Armed with this information, I was able to complete my virtualized ROCK installation. Rather than a desktop or server operating system like Windows, a Linux distribution, or a system-builder tool, Nucleus uses a truly bespoke operating system. Roon OS is an optimized Linux-based operating system developed by Roon Labs to provide the best reliability and performance for what Roon does – networking, storage, and fast database.