In today’s ever-changing social context, each person wants comfort in his or her life. This is the reason why people are now more inclined to watch videos rather than read articles or text. Indeed, it has been revealed that retention of video and visual media is higher than that of audio and written text.

In general, being the major source of information, videos whether educative or entertaining, are a common aspect of our lives. It’s however important to realize that not all platforms support particular video formats. This is why professional videographers and students should be familiar with the basics of the different videos that are on the market. This process begins with us making sure that we fully understand what is meant by video file format.

A key question arises: what are the best video file formats and which one is easier to work with?

What Is a Video File Format?

Video file format is a method of playing images with sound which is fast expanding the field of technology. This is true because videos are a combination of images and sound, which makes them larger and usually more effective towards the target audience.

However, it is necessary to note that the concept of the video format might be rather difficult to grasp. That is where codecs come into play, these are applications that Code/encode, Compress/decompress, and put together video data into frameworks.

The structure which stores this data is referred to as a video file format. Formats depend on codecs that they use and what practices they are engaged in formats used for their work.

I don’t remember chapter three from my 7th history book, but I still remember TV shows like Shaktiman or the villain Emperor Kilvish because we were shown these in forms that we could visualize. That, I think is the beauty of  Video file format.

In this article, we shall introduce these formats and how they can be applied.

Types of Video Formats:

1. MP4 (MPEG-4)

• MP4 which was established as an international standard by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) in 2001is a visual audio codec. After extracting the window ID, it can be used with almost all video programs and accepts video, audio, subtitles, and images. Popular streaming platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram use MP4 because of its small file size yet high video quality.
• Extension  (. mp4).
• Advantages: A standard-setting application for the web, high compression ratio, very high quality and high flexibility of use.
• Disadvantages: This involves the use of substantial computing power in the encoding as well as decoding of Erickson’s ideas.

2. MOV (Apple QuickTime)

Although first seen in Apple in 1998, MOV is a file format that was developed to be used with QuickTime and it can contain video, audio, image data, and even text. Although the MOV files contain better video quality than the files in MP4 format, they are massive in size and are ideal for professional editing programs operating under macOS.

• Extension : (. mov).
• Advantages: The following is a summary of the features of the WMV video codec: High picture quality and low bit rate, adaptable compression, compatibility across reams of platforms, and streaming.
• Disadvantages: These include compatibility issues, large file size, less popularity and limitations to editing large Mac files.

3. WMV (Windows Media Video)

Unlike the MP4 files, the WMV and the other files were created in 1999 by Microsoft for use in Internet streaming. That is why they are not popular now; the format has a lower video quality than the new video formats. WMV is well supported by various Microsoft-based media players and VLC.

• Extension : L:.wmf /.asf
• Advantages: The advantages include a high compression ratio, good picture quality, effective compression techniques, and support for digit rights management.
• Disadvantages: Restricted cross-browser compatibility, excluded in the contemporary web application development.

4. FLV (Flash Video)

FLV, which was created by Adobe Systems in 2003, used to be used on the internet; however, the latest Flash video format is HTML5 and WebM. It is mainly designed for use in mobile devices although it results in poor video and audio quality due to its enhanced compression.

• Extension: With playing formats as (. flv /. 3gp).
• Advantages: High compression, good for mobile platforms.
• Disadvantages: They include low picture quality, low sound quality and reduced usage frequency.

5. AVI (Audio Video Interleave)

This format was developed in 1992 by Microsoft and is quite popular though requiring quite a high amount of disk space; it gives excellent quality of the video.

But it does not provide compression which leads to large file sizes and therefore this format is not very suitable for transmission over the internet.

• Extension : (. avi).
• Advantages: Public approval, possibility to receive good image quality.
• Disadvantages:D Too large, not very portable, on request it will not stream.

6. AVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition)

Starting from 2006, Panasonic and Sony have jointly come up with the AVCHD for high-definition recording and playback. Its newer version is the AVCHD 2. 0, Driving a 3D video recording capability to the gadget.

• Extension: (. mts or. m2ts.)
• Advantages: Video quality in HD and very efficient compression, native support of 3D with AVCHD 2. 0.
• Disadvantages: This may just result in large file sizes and interference with compatibility with some of the other editing software and devices.

7. WebM (Web Media)

A Google-backed project that arrived in 2011, WebM is an open-source format that is intended to deliver videos through web browsers. It is usable with Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Edge.

• Extension: (. webm.)
• Advantages: It is highly compressed and has very good optimised for use on the World Wide Web.
• Disadvantages: Lack of popularity could be attributed to optimizing of the shelf space for newer formats that appeal a lot more to consumers.

8. MKV (Matroska)

Free and realized in 2002, MKV remains one of the most universal formats today. It has the supported codec formats of the videos, audio, and subtitles, and has future flexibility for storage of contents such as movies and television shows.

• Extension : (. mkv).
• Advantages: Customizable, works with more than one codec at a time, good picture quality.
• Disadvantages: The issues that may be encountered by listeners while playing backtracks on various devices.

 

How to Choose the Right Format:

It is only natural that you would inclined to select the right video format based on necessity. Think about how the particular video will be watched, passed around, and even cut.

Some formats work better for specific platforms.

2. Web Browsers: WebM and MP4 are favourable formats for Web sharing because of their high compatibility with most of devices.
3. Social Media: MP4 is compatible with the most popular platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and even Facebook.
4. TV & Computers: These are: AVI, MOV, and MKV formats which are good for high-screen devices and come with good quality.

Storing: This is because they are compatible with most players and the files are well compressed hence the need to make a copy.