Video file formats.
There are many different types of video file formats. Some of the most common video file types are MP4, MPG, WMV, and MPEG.
If you want to find out more about video file extensions, we’ll explain what they are and what they’re used for.
What is a video file format?
The video file format is a type of file format used to store digital video that can be easily stored and played back.
Video files consist of ‘containers’ and ‘codecs’.
Container.
Video containers contain multiple embedded data streams, such as visual and audio data. Other components include metadata such as subtitles, date, size, and the codec.
Codec.
Codecs compress or decompress large amounts of data. They can play back the data in a container.
Various media players support video file types, including the likes of Windows Media Player and Apple’s QuickTime player.
What are video file formats used for?
The main purpose of video file formats is to contain video data for storage and playback. But in order to play the video file on your computer, the file itself will need to be coded with the correct audio and video information.
There are many different video file types, all with their own specifications. Find out more about the different video formats.
What are the different types of video file formats?
There are a collection of different types of video file formats currently available that each have their own characteristics that make them perfect for video projects.
WEBM
Or “Web Media” is an alternative to the HTML5 format. It’s a similar file format to MP4, differing only in the codecs. They are mainly used in royalty-free video offerings. A prime example of their usage would be in memes on the internet.
MPG
Is an abbreviation that’s derived from the Motion Picture Experts Group, who are responsible for standardizing the video file. MPG files usually contains MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video and audio data. They are very popular and you can play them on VideoLAN ,VLC Media player, Microsoft Media Player, and Apple QuickTime.
MP4
Is a digital video format for MPEG-4. This is one of the most common video formats. Its main use is for video, however you can also use it for audio files as well. It contains one of the most popular audio codecs — the AAC, which is of superior sound quality to most other formats.
OGG
One of the free open-source video output types, developed by The Xiph Org Foundation. Royalties and licensing fees aren’t applicable for these video file extensions. Windows Media Player doesn’t support it, however it’s playable on the likes of VLC Media Player and KMPlayer.
AVI
Audio Video Interleave, which stores video and audio data encoded in codecs such as DivX. It’s one of the oldest digital video formats and uses less compression than other video formats such as MOV and MPEG. AVI enjoys support on iOS and Android devices and is often used for DVDs, due to its capacity to play HD video formats well.
MOV
Developed by Apple, MOV is compatible with Apple’s QuickTime player, hence its popularity on devices such as iPhones and iPads. As well as being the standard video and audio file type, the format can hold text.
FLV
Released in 2003 for use with Adobe Flash Player for streaming films and TV programmes on the internet. It’s also open source, which means it’s supported on non-official programs. FLV is rare since the retirement of Flash.
How to choose the best video file format for your project.
There are a few factors worth considering when you have to choose from different video formats for your project. Context is king, so you’ll need to consider the following factors:
- Where it’s uploaded. Consider which platform you’ll be posting your video onto when it’s ready. Because different file formats will be compatible with different platforms, this one of the first things you should consider, as it lays the foundation for the other important factors that follow.
- File size. Which video format size suits your project? If you’re looking to post on video sharing platforms such as TikTok or Instagram then you’ll want to opt for a small video file. But if it’s for a streaming service, then you may go for a larger file size.
- Video Quality. As more and more platforms edge towards 4K, video quality has become more important than ever. If your video is for internal purposes, a client pitch for instance, don’t hold back on quality. But if it’s for personal use, such as TikTok, then the video quality may not need to be as high.
- Content. If you’re making a long duration documentary style video about wildlife for example, choosing a video file that’s capable of handling high quality video and sound, as well as efficient processing rates are critical for capturing natural surroundings. On YouTube for example, if you’re making a video about “how to make the perfect poached eggs in 15 seconds”, the communication needs to be sufficient, concise and attention grabbing, whilst also getting the point across. In that situation, the more attention-grabbing it is, the better.
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What is the most popular video file format?
Which video quality is best?
Which codec is best?
Is 4k better than 1080p?
Which video compression is best?
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