WebM Files
WebM container file types are made for creating videos for the web, whether posted on the biggest social apps or must-see video streaming services. So if you’re producing engaging content for platforms like TikTok and YouTube, WebM is a compatible file you could use.
Royalty-free and open source, WebM could be perfect for your next project — discover how it works and how to use it.
What is a WebM file?
A WebM file is a video saved in the WebM format, designed for sharing content online. It has a container structure which is similar to MKV (Matroska video format). WebM stores compressed visual and audio data, to keep the file size down and take up minimal storage space.
WebM compresses audio data using either Opus or Vorbis audio codec, and video data using either VP8 or VP9 codec. This helps keep file sizes under control, while still retaining a high audio quality.
WebM is also used in HTML5 audio and visual elements and supported by most major browsers, whether natively or through a plug-in. This widens the number of devices and platforms WebM videos are compatible with.
History of the WebM file.
WebM was released in May 2010 after its development was started by Xiph and ON2 — the latter of which was acquired by Google shortly before the official launch. WebM was based on the MKV container format and so Matroska was also involved in the construction of the file.
Originally, WebM supported Vorbis audio streams and VP8 video streams. After the 2013 update incorporated additional streams, including VP9 for video and Orbis for audio, this broadened the number of streams it could contain.
The latest WebM release was in 2019, where the v1.9.0 version was launched to add support for the NV12 pixel format — widening the compatibility for better picture quality in WebM videos. Today, WebM also supports the new AV1 codec, which is another royalty-free coding format for online video streaming.
How to use WebM files.
WebM files are used for both commercial and non-commercial projects, as the file type is completely royalty-free to use. This is perfect if you’re creating videos designed for internal use or videos shared on social platforms.
Because of that, WebM files are popular on video streaming sites that use HTML5 to stream content — this is the streaming technology that allows you to watch a video online, before it has fully downloaded.
YouTube is one prominent example of a video-sharing site which uses WebM for all videos, ranging from 360p video to high resolution. Skype and Wikimedia also use WebM.
Pros and cons of WebM files.
Before choosing a WebM file for your next video project, it’s important to weigh up its pros and cons.
Pros
- Widely used. One of the primary advantages of using WebM is that it is completely free and open to everyone. Popular websites such as YouTube and Wikimedia all use WebM for video file sharing.
- High quality. Video created using WebM is typically high quality with good performance, even when the video is being played on older devices. The file type is also supported on most major browsers.
Cons
- Plugins required. One of the downsides is that, outside of Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, you’ll need a plug-in to use WebM. Users of browsers such as Safari or Microsoft Edge will need to install third-party WebM Media Foundation Components.
Find out which container file types are supported by Adobe Premiere Pro
How to open a WebM file.
The WebM file format was specifically designed for use on the web, which makes it relatively simple to open.
HTML5 <video> tags are usually embedded in the websites, so you can open the file easily using the on-screen controls within your web browser.
If the browser does not support WebM, you may get an error message. If this occurs, it should be possible to download a free plug-in for that browser and reload the page once installed.
How to create and edit a WebM file.
There are multiple third-party tools available online to help with creating and editing a WebM file. Many of these are converters, allowing the user to convert other video files into WebM formats and vice-versa.
Each tool has its own process for file creation and editing. A typical editing process would involve:
- Selecting the file you wish to edit and dragging and dropping it into the editor.
- Using the on-screen controls to make the changes you want, whether that’s consolidating, changing tones, adding text or subtitles, cutting or splitting.
- Exporting the completed file ready to share.
As WebM is a container file type rather than a codec, you will need to convert it to edit in Adobe Premiere Pro. You can do this using a secure third-party converter.
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Is WebM the same as MP4?
WebM and MP4 work in similar ways but there are several key differences. While both use compressed files, WebM files tend to be slightly smaller. The main difference is in the type of codec used. MP4 uses H.264 rather than VP8 or VP9 which results in a lower quality of video.
However, a benefit of MP4 is that most smartphones support it, while WebM can currently only be used on Android devices and isn’t supported on iOS.
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Learn more about similar file types to WebM.
MP4.
Learn more about one of the most widely used container files in all of video production and explore how it works for video projects.
MOV.
MOV is the main choice for videos designed to be played on QuickTime player. Explore what it’s all about and how to use it.
MTS.
Discover how MTS, one of the most popular camcorder filetypes, can be used and what devices it’s compatible with.
MPG.
Find out more about MPG files and how this standardized format, created by the Moving Picture Experts Group, works.
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