Video File Format Explained: Understanding The Top Video File Formats

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Did you know that any clip you watch on your device has a specific type of video file format?

The use of digital media files for encoding audio and video has been increasing rapidly. But when it comes to media file formats, there can be confusion as not all extensions correspond in the same manner.

Have you tried watching a movie on your laptop or TV but you are unable to play the video because the file is not supported? Or the video you rendered is not compatible with your PC?

This is a common problem, especially if you have no idea which format is best for your needs. Therefore, it is important to understand how each video file format works.

Read on to learn what the common video file extensions and codecs are. This guide also includes their different types and how to choose the right format for you!

What Is a Video File Format?

There can be confusion between audio, image, and video media formats. For one, there is a variety of formats available for each, which operate differently.

But in this post, we will focus on video formats. So, what are video file formats?

When you save a digital file, it is encoded so computer programs or apps can read and work with it. As for video formats, they must be converted, so they can be played by programs other than the software they were originally created or saved in.

DVD and Quicktime files, Window videos, to name a few—fall under this category.

The encoded video and audio are synchronized and stored in a media container, a.k.a. the file format. When your set top box or media player cannot play a video, it is likely because it cannot understand the file format.

Video encoding is the process of exporting digital video into a format suitable for playback by a user. There are two elements associated with the file format, and these are:

• Codecs
• Containers

A codec, short for coder-decoder, is software that does the decompressing of a video file. That way, it can be stored and played back.

When creating a video, a codec encodes and decodes the data to reduce the size of the content. The same goes with an audio codec for sound.

In contrast, a container is a package the final project is delivered in for playback. It stores audio, video, subtitles, and other metadata.

Codec and container basics

To explain further…

Codecs were developed to make large video files easier to store and share. As mentioned earlier, they encode data to compress the file and decrease the file size.

Then they decode the data to decompress it for viewing and editing. AVC and H.264 are the most common codecs for video compression.

As with audio file formats, most video formats lose data in compression. Which format you choose depends on the quality and ease of use you prefer.

A few common video codecs that will meet most of your needs:

• HEVC/H.265
• H.264
• MPEG-4
• DivX

Meanwhile, video containers store all video elements into one package. These elements include video and audio streams, subtitles, video metadata, codec, and more!

Each video container type is compatible with certain video codecs. Also, your video editing software should only enable you to choose compatible pairings.

You may also try to plan what code and container you want to use ahead of time. By doing so, you can avoid running into issues when you render your final video.

Like video codecs, here are a few common video containers to choose from:

• MP4
• AVI
• MOV (QuickTime)
• FLV (Flash)
• WMV (Windows Media)

Note: The codec plus the container equals the video file format.

Understanding the Top Video File Formats

Your first step in choosing the best digital video format is to understand the difference between them. Below, we’ve listed the most common video file formats as well as their frequent uses.

1. MP4

Also known as MPEG-4 Part 1, MP4 is the most common type of video file format. It is also one of the earliest digital video file formats, having been introduced in 2001.

Most digital platforms and devices support it, and it is Apple’s preferred format. An MP4 format can store video and audio files and text, but it offers lower definition than others.

It works well for videos posted on social media, such as YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.

2. MOV

MOV or QuickTime Movie is a popular file extension designed by Apple to support the QuickTime player. It stores high-quality video, audio, and effects, but it tends to maintain a large file size.

Hence MOV files take more memory space on a computer or any device. They are compatible across different versions of QuickTimePlayer, both for Windows and Mac.

MOV is also supported by YouTube and Facebook, and it operates effectively for TV viewing.

3. WMV

This video file format stands for Windows Media Viewer. As the name suggests, MWV was designed by Microsoft and is widely used in Windows media players.

It offers good video quality with a large file size like MOV. Yet it also provides smaller file sizes with better compression than MP4.

WMV file extensions are popular for online video streaming and are supported by YouTube. For Apple users, they need to download Windows Media Player to view these videos.

Note: You cannot select your own aspect ratio in WMV.

4. FLV

Standing for Flash Video, FLV is a file extension used by Adobe Flash Player and is designed for Flash Player. It is a versatile video formats supported by most video platforms and browsers.

FLV formats are a good choice for online video streaming platforms like YouTube. They are also easy to download thanks to their small file size!

The only downside is that FLV is not compatible with iOS devices. This has lead to a significant decrease in use of FLV files.

5. AVI

Also known as Audio Video Interleave, AVI is a video file format that was introduced by Microsoft in 1992. In fact, it is still widely used today and is one of the popular file formats available.

AVI file formats work with almost every web browser on Windows, Mac, including Linux. They offer the highest quality and use less compression than over video formats like MPEG or MOV.

But this results in very large file sizes, more or less 2-3 GB per minute of video. This can be a real issue for users with limited storage space.

AVI is also supported by YouTube and works well for TV viewing.

6. AVCHD

AVCHD or Advanced Video Coding High Definition is a video extension used for HD video playback and digital recording. Built for Panasonic and Sony digital camcorders, it is specifically for high-definition video.

AVCHD formats also compress for easy storage without compromising the video quality. Plus, they let you store hours of HD video using only a small amount of data.

For one, AVCHD leverages the H.264/MPEG-4 video compression technology. Even better, the latest format version AVCHD 2.0 supports 3D video.

7. WebM

WebM comes in high-quality and is commonly used for online streaming. It is first introduced in 2010 by Google, and is intended for use with HTML5 and designed for the Internet.

Its video codes need very little computer power to compress and unzip files. It also works on almost any device, from smart TVs, smartphones, desktops, and tablets.

This type of video format is best for videos embedded on your personal or business website. WebM files are small, so they load faster and you can stream with ease.

8. MKV

MKV file extension stands for Matroska Video file, which is developed in Russia. It is free and open-source, supporting almost every video and audio format, making it adaptive and easy to use.

These file formats incorporate audio, video and subtitles in a single file. They are developed to be future proof, which means the video files will always stay updated.

MKV is compatible on TV or computer as long as there is an open-source media player, e.g. VLC.

9. MPEG-2

This video file extension is commonly known as the digital video standard on which DVD video is based. If you wish to burn your video to a DVD, MPEG-2 with an H.262 codec is your best bet.

Also known as Motion Pictures Expert Group 2, it extends the basic MPEG system to provide compression support for TV-quality transmission of digital video.

Video File Format: The Bottom Line

Keep in mind that not all browsers, programs, and devices can play a specific video format. This is why choosing the right extension is incredibly important.

The file format should also be based on your video quality requirements. Be it for home entertainment use, such as home cinema, or for professional use.

Before choosing a video file format, consider the following cases:

• Choose video file formats that most web browsers and devices support. This applies to online videos; MP4 and WEBM are your best bets.
• For home video recordings, opt for an open-source file format with high-quality video. MP4 or AVI formats are a good fit for that category.
• You should also pick an extension that is compatible with Windows, especially if it is for Windows applications. In this case, WMV is a good choice.

Feel free to refer to our guide for common video file formats, including codecs and containers to help with your decision!