Video/digital compression/file types
These are some of the most common video file types, as well as MPEG2 and MP4.
Most formats are compatible with multiple players and will work in many situations. If they don't work, it's because they don't have the right encoding algoritrhms.
Here is a list of video file types with pros and cons for each:
AVI is what’s known as a container format. There are many formats in this category and here’s what it means. Let's put it in terms of storing liquid in a container! You can put anything into this container.. So it's the same with a container file format!
Video formats come in parts, layers and types. The “container” is part of the video file and it holds other parts. Any video you watch is made up of a container and numerous interior parts. For example, the video and audio are actually separate signals bundled together within the container.
AVI is an early form of video file so it has been around for a very long time and is very common. The fact that it has been aroundn for a long time means it is highly compatible with most players.
AVI files are usually way too big for a finished video so it is not considered a sharing file. It is better used as a format in the beginning stages of video production, not for the final output.
A Microsoft format. WMV stands for Windows Media Video. WMV files are tiny because they are highly compressed. This is one of the smallest sharing formats, so it is for the end stages of your video project.
Any video this highly compressed looks a bit ragged, that's just the nature of it. I think WMV files look horrible. The more you compress a video, the more details and info you take out. This means your resolution suffers! Compression is always a balance between file size and image quality. But tiny video files are a great thing, so sometimes people are willing to put up with the lousy resolution in order to have the convenience of a small video file.
WMV files are the type of videos you get emailed directly to you. WMV are about the only type of file small enough to email so that is a huge advantage.
Since windows based products are so common, WMV files will play on just about anything, except a Mac.
MOV as the file extension means the video is a Quicktime Movie file, which is an Apple software product. Quicktime movie files are very common and one of my personal favorites. MOV functions frequently as both a sharing file but is quality enough to use as source video inside of an editing program. In fact, if you download stock footage, the chances are fairly high that it will be a MOV file.
MOV files look great, but unless you compress them an awful lot, they are still a bit big for a sharing file.
MPEG2 is the type of video file that a home DVD player will read. If you go out and rent a film, the DVD will contain an MPEG2 file.
MPEG2 is way too big for the web. It is also incompatible with video editing software. You can not edit an MPEG2 file without converting it first.
Some new video cameras shoot on MPEG2 because camera manufacturers are all always going all out trying to show off that their product is as good as a DVD! And a lot of people these days want to watch what they've filmed, on their huge TV at home. So if you are buying a video camera, keep this in mind. Before editing an MPEG2 video you have got to convert it first!
