Strictly speaking, video formats are just filing containers where you store different contents, including pictures, audio, and, if necessary, information like subtitles or time stamps.
Much more important are the codecs with which the image and sound tracks in the container are encoded. Codecs ensure that the media files consume as little storage space as possible while maintaining the best possible quality. Let's dive right into the 8 most common video file formats.
MPEG-1 is one of the oldest video formats, also while being a container and codec at the same time. Although its codec is recognized and played by almost all devices and browsers, MPEG-1's age is noticeable. For example, HD videos are no longer achievable, and the videos' quality is worse than it is good.
Things start looking different with its successor MPEG-2. Found under the same file extensions as MPEG-1, the codec is standard for DVD videos and many TV stations. Also, compared to MPEG-1, the quality is much better, and the distribution of the format is large. Nevertheless, MPEG-2 is less suitable for the web because its compression is comparatively low, and accordingly, good quality videos mean many megabytes more.
Creating videos and clips with good quality isn’t a big problem nowadays
Like MPEG-1, AVI is an old format - yet, having evolved, it supports good quality HD video with good compression thanks to codecs like DivX. AVI is most widely used, but it is only partially suitable for integrating into a website because it's not streamable.
To most people, the file ASF is probably more known as WMV. This format, developed by Microsoft, can be streamed, unlike AVI. ASF or WMV has similarities with MPEG-4, so it is suitable for online use. However, because of its low distribution, not exactly recommended.
These two formats are virtually no longer found on the web. Initially, 3GP's intention was a highly compressed mobile format, with Flash found on almost every website. Meanwhile, there are improved codecs/formats with MP4 and WebM that are suitable for web applications.
MOV files are native to Mac devices. However, Apple has managed to make this high-quality video format a standard in professional media editing. Many editors work with MOV in programs like Premiere or Final Cut.
With that said, QuickTime is mainly reserved for professional editors and thus not commonly used. Accordingly, it's less suitable for use on websites.
Editors often use QuickTime as their source format, but they need a format and codec that compresses the content and can be used on websites.
Like Russian Matroska dolls, the Matroska format can stack inside each other. This format is widespread, especially among home theater fans, as it works with many codecs. Compatibility with browsers, on the other hand, is not particularly remarkable.
MP4 videos are incredibly flexible as they allow a lot of codecs - this format is optimal for good image quality and small file size. Therefore, the MP4 video format is also perfect for website use. The most broadly used codec is H.264, but other codecs (DivX and Xvid) also get chosen in some cases.
Did you know? MP4 is the standard for HD television and Blu-rays.
WebM is based on Matroska and thus combines well with various codecs. The whole concept of this format indicates it will become the new standard file type for internet use in the future.
Did you know? Plugins aren't needed for WebM in HTML5. HTML5 replaces formats such as Flash and 3GP. Youtube, for example, has already switched from Flash to HTML5. This format is already widely used and supported by many browsers.
Sabrina writes for pixx.io about everything that concerns you in your day-to-day work and helps you to overcome challenges in content and social media marketing, image formats or compliance. When it comes to complex topics, she prepares the knowledge of media and legal experts for you in an understandable way.
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