Video is a highly effective marketing tool that can assist you achieve various goals, such as selling your product or service or impressing your boss or preparing a compelling presentation for your school.
But, selecting the wrong format for your video can hinder or even stop the ability of editing and rendering a top-quality video. Therefore, today we’ll break down the essential information you should learn about choosing the correct format for your video to reduce your time and frustration.
The basics of Codec
Codec, also known as the decoder/coder procedure, is the process of recording and compressing an audio file before decompressing it. The term”codec,” or container, is frequently used in conjunction with the format of video files and will be displayed in the form of MP4 and AVI.
The only difference between them is that a video codec is software that compresses and processes the video file, whereas your video’s container will be the end product. Be aware that the program you use in editing the video needs to work with the codec for your video and the container your camera is recording in.
10 of the Best Video Formats
What are the top video formats? Continue reading to find out the top 10 video formats with both their advantages and disadvantages and what they’re best for.
AVI
AVI files were first created in 1995 and are considered to be one of the most popular video formats. Because of their time of development, AVI files are accepted by a variety of websites and software that is a huge benefit to many creators of video content. Yet, AVI are larger video files that could be quite large and take up lots in space on your computer. Furthermore, AVI files are not suitable to stream or share on the internet as you could be experiencing lags when streaming.
AVI is ideal for those who want to upload their videos on multiple platforms or run it across various browsers or Windows because they’re accepted almost everywhere. Furthermore, AVI has excellent video quality, however, once again be aware that the videos that are rendered could need an additional hard disk in order to be saved to.
The best for everyday users and creators of content who utilize a variety of platforms and software
Pros:
Work to record DVDs
Compatible with every browser which include MAC, Windows, Linux and many more.
Stellar video quality
Accepted by the majority of websites and software
Cons:
Huge video file sizes
Older and less up-to-date than other formats for video files
Not the best choice to stream or share
Compression can lead to problems with quality
AVCHD
AVCHD files employ MPEG- 4 AVC/H.264 standards to compress video. AVCHD is flexible and compatible with numerous high definition video formats, including stereoscopic and formatting options, which makes it perfect for professional editors of video and creators who want top-quality video quality.
Be aware that AVCHD offers superior video quality and can pick even the tiniest details on camera, which is why it’s referred to as a sturdier file format. But, it’s also the most high-quality video format available today for editing video with high-end quality.
Best for: Professional video editors
Pros:
Compatible with Blu-rays
Audio and video of high-quality
Can record 1920 x 1080 resolution videos.
The most current AVCHD formats are compatible with 3D videos.
High-end video editing requires extremely sharp and clear quality. video editing
Cons:
The unforgiving will grab every single thing
Huge file sizes
Only limited compatibility
FLV, F4V and SWF
FLV, F4V and SWF are official formats for video files used by Adobe Flash Video. Each of these formats contains the ability to synchronize audio streaming, video data streams metadata packets, as well as short headers.
The first Adobe Flash Player came out users used the FLV, F4V and SWF files to play games and video content, such as movies and TV shows. Today, if you wish to make Flash movies, you’ll have to export these files using an application like the Flash video exporter plugin. QuickTime, Windows Media, or Adobe Media Encoders may also be utilized to create these files.
Remember that many websites and video players are not compatible with Flash video formats as of December 31, 2020.
The best choice for users of Flash
Pros:
Often used on YouTube to stream
Great for video games and gaming content
Official format for video used by Adobe Flash Video
Cons:
Very old
Only limited compatibility
This device isn’t supported by iOS devices.
MKV
MKV files were developed in Russia and refer to Matroska Multimedia Container that refers to the well-known Russian nesting dolls. The format of MKV is perfect for projects where you have to store various codes and other information such as chapters, subtitles menus, and so on. Because of this, MKV is perfect for projects that are viewed on a computer or TV with an open-source media player. MKV is also an excellent option for streaming and downloading.
MKV is not a proprietary format, which makes it simple to use and allowing it to be used by a huge user base that is continuously working to bring it up to the latest IT specifications. It’s regarded as universal and similar to MP4 files. Some users have noted the fact that MKV has a higher risk of audio issues.
Ideal for: Storing a variety of kinds of codes and data in the same file
Pros:
Video with high-quality
More video and web browsers as well as players are accepting this format.
It is flexible enough to save chapters menus, subtitles, chapters and many more.
The perfect choice for a movie that is to be watched on a television or computer using an media player
Cons:
Not compatible with all Apple devices.
Reduces the quality of compressed air.
Could have more audio issues than other formats.
MP4
MP4 is among the most popular video formats because it’s a universally-compatible format that is universally compatible. This means that it is possible to use MP4 videos in iTunes, Apple, and Windows. Another advantage to making use of MP4 has to do with the fact that MP4s are smaller in size yet maintain a high audio and video quality.
MP4s are able to achieve it by showing similar files within video data, clearing the video file of its content, and putting similar color pixels to allow the video to run more quickly. This could lead to an enlightened decrease in the quality of video, especially in the sharpness and color. There may be an error message regarding corruption of the MP4 video file when this happens.
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Ideal for the everyday user
Pros:
Video format that is universally accepted
Compatibility with Windows Media Players, iTunes, Apples, GOM player and many other players.
High-quality video but with smaller file size
Excellent for streaming online videos
Accepted by the majority of video-sharing platforms
Great for YouTube since MP4s are great for closed captions and subtitles
Cons:
More vulnerable to crashes because of corruption concerns
There may be a slight decrease in the sharpness of video and color depth
MPEG-2
MPEG-2 is the most widely used format for a digitally encoded movie that has broadcast quality. Many prefer this format due to its high-quality image and high resolution for an extremely small size, especially when you consider the typical lengthy video. It is however, MPEG-2 is not readily accessible to most people who don’t have particular equipment, which makes it a difficult video file format for the typical video viewer. License fees are typically required when you release the MPEG-2 video format. MPEG-2 movies are massive in terms of size due to the fact that they typically compress huge files and require large amounts of storage, which makes them unsuitable for most mobile devices as well as Internet streaming services.
Shortly, MPEG-2 is the standard for DVD movies and is the best choice for anyone who wants to burn DVDs but it’s not much more.
Ideal for DVD burning
Pros:
High-image quality
The DVD standard
Reduces long video clips into smaller sizes quickly
Cons:
Unplayable for the majority of people without specialized equipment
The licensing fees are typically required for distribution of this kind of video
It doesn’t perform as well as other formats when you use high bitrates
Not as efficient as newer standard video file formats
MOV
MOV, which is also referred to in the QuickTime video formats, were invented by Apple. MOV files are of superior quality and are similar to MP4s as they can include audio videos, subtitles, and more , all together in one document. The biggest drawback is that it isn’t playable on many other video players, besides that of the QuickTime player. Windows users can play MOV using it using the QuickTime player, however it’s always better to be played by Apple users. The other drawback to MOV’s format is Apple could end the use of the format in the near future and make this format almost impossible to use or play.
But, MOV offers a high-definition video with a small size. This is a great feature for editing video on an MAC. Many professionals who work in the media and film industries prefer MOV due to the fact that it allows movies to be divided into several editing tracks. MOV is a suitable format to use for YouTube, Facebook, and TV watching.
Ideal for: MAC and Apple users.
Pros:
Ideal for web-based use due to its compact size and its high-quality
Can save subtitles along with audio and video
It is compatible with many other formats of video.
Ideal for video editors because of its compact dimensions and capabilities for division.
Cons:
It must be played using QuickTime player for the majority of the time.
The compression of this file could result in data loss
It could be pulled out by Apple
MTS
MTS or MPEG Transport Stream, is an advanced format for video that is saved within the Advanced Video Coding High Definition setting. Major companies such as Sony, Canon, and Panasonic utilize this format to create high-definition movies. MTS is a format that can also be utilized to produce 3D videos, and it is compatible with certain Canon cameras as well as Sony models.
It’s true that MTS isn’t the best choice for many users and video editors. MTS isn’t compatible with all social media platforms like YouTube and requires specialized instruction to edit properly. Video files can be large and may be difficult to edit.
Ideal for professional Canon as well as Sony camera owners
Pros:
Compatible with 3D videos. Compatible with 3D
Develops high-definition-quality projects
It works well with certain Canon as well as Sony camera models
Cons:
Limited to specific cameras and other products
The editing process is slow and has the steep learning curve
HTML5 or WEBM
WEBM also known as HTML5 is an open-source developed by Google that allows people to look over and alter the video format whenever needed. WEBM works with HTML and HTML5, making it a great option for videos embedded in browsers.
One of the major advantages of this format for video is the fact that you don’t require the most processing power in order to decompress or compress video information. Because of this, WEBM is a great format for video streaming. WEBM format is ideal for large-scale distribution online and embedding video online and that’s why a lot of small and medium-sized business owners utilize the format. They’re fast to download and streaming well and are supported by all browsers, including Opera, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Firefox.
The best for digital marketing and small-sized businesses.
Pros:
The format for video is open-source and continuously changing
Speedier loading on the internet than other video formats
Doesn’t require a lot of computer power to compress or decompress
It is a great way to share videos with multiple people online.
Cons:
The HTML file must be opened and played. HTML open before it can be played
Not so compatible with mobile devices.
WMV
Microsoft created WMV which is also known as Windows Media Video, which has increased its popularity on the internet. But, WMV is most helpful for people looking to share their videos via the Windows PC, or edit with Windows Movie Maker. WMV files do not work with others video editors, which makes them less versatile as compared to other options for file formats in this list.
WMV files are great choices due to their size however, the file could be easily damaged, resulting in loss of quality following compression. If you’re looking to upload your images to YouTube WMV is a good option for a file. Apple users are also able to access WMV files through Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player.
The best choice is for Windows and Windows Movie Maker Users
Pros:
The video files are relatively small
A fantastic option for storing videos on the Windows PC
It can be used to create short animations in a range of video applications
Ideal for sharing videos through email because of the tiny size of the file
Cons:
It is only compatible to Windows PCs and certain video players.
Quality of video is reduced throughout and even after compression
What is the best format to choose? format for your video?
There are numerous amazing video formats that are available. It can be difficult to pick one that is suitable for your project. To aid you we’ve prepared the following cheat sheet , so that you are able to easily choose the right video format for your specific requirements.
YouTube
YouTube accepts various formats, including MOV MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 as well as MPG, MP4, AVI, and WMV.
In reality, AVI and MP4 will be the most popular options for the majority of users, particularly if you are planning to utilize the file on different platforms or websites.
If you are Windows Users, WMV may be the best option If you are using Windows Movie Maker.
TikTok
MOV as well as MP4 are the most popular TikTok video formats. However, this platform also allows AVI, MPEG, and 3PG files.
Instagram
Instagram prefers the format MP4 however, it will accept MOV and GIF If you prefer that format to your liking.
Videos on the website
WEBM and HTML5 videos are fast to load and great to watch on a web site
MP4 videos and AVI videos are a great option since they are widely accepted.
Sharing
MP4 files are perfect to share because they are widely accepted, meaning that your recipient will be able open the file on any device or internet browser.
For emails, we recommend WMV files if both you and your recipient have an Windows computer due to the small size of the file.
Recording
MTS files are a favorite option among Sony and Canon customers due to their incredible resolution and 3D video capabilities.
If you’d like to burn your film to DVD, you must film it using MPEG-2.
Editing
WMV is perfect for Windows users editing using Windows Movie Maker.
If you’re planning to burn DVDs, or even create movies, think about MPEG-2 and MKV file formats.
MOV files are a popular choice for Apple users for editing videos.
Storing phone on phone
MP4 files are tiny and compatible with almost every device, which makes them ideal to save on phones.
MKV files also work to work with Android smartphones 6.0+.
If you are using Apple products, you should consider the use of an HEVC format for your files.
High-quality
AVCHD is among the best quality video files that are available.
If you own either a Sony or Canon camera, you should consider the use of an MTS file to get a high-resolution.
4K
MTS files support 4K resolution as well as 3D video support.
AVCHD is a fantastic option for high-definition 4K projects.
Valuable Resources
While conducting our research during our research, we discovered the following sources that we’d like to provide to you in the event that you have any additional concerns.
Are you still not sure the meaning of a codec for video or would you like to be aware of the different options for codecs that are available to you while you’re shooting, editing or creating your videos? Take a look at the video on understanding codes for a thorough explanation of what a codec can be and how you can use it for your benefit.
Are you not sure which video format to choose for exporting your video? We loved this video from Filmora MVP on video formats which explain what they are and which one should you decide for your videos to be exported.
Are you curious about which format of video file is best for you? Check out the YouTube video below to find out which video format is best for your needs and how it can improve the video’s quality to your viewers.
Final Thoughts
The proper video file extension can make a big difference to how well you can present your work as well as the time it takes to load or download or load, and whether you are able to transfer it onto the web site or other platform you’d like to share it with.
Before beginning any video-related project, you should be aware of the format that will work best for your particular project, and how your PC can handle it. If you own smaller space on your computer it is necessary to choose the smallest video file, or risk your computer crashing during the process of making edits or rendering the project. If you’re using the external drive it is possible to select larger video files that are high-quality resolution.
Begin by thinking about your video’s ultimate destination whether it’s streaming, a film, or social media. Once you have that, create and edit your video using the same format. Make sure you think about what the ideal option for your particular project. Don’t fret it’s possible to change your video’s format using the numerous online tools.