WebM is a container form (with the extension * .webm) for multimedia files, therefore video and audio files. VP8 and VP9 video encoders, as well as Vorbis and Opus audio encoders, are used within the container form. As announced at the Google I / 0 2010 conference, WebM was originally designed as an alternative to the MP4 format with the H.264 encoder. The latter is free for consumers who use it to watch videos, while developers who want to work with the encoder must pay for the license. Instead, WebM is an open source project that anyone can work with without having to pay.
WebM was created for use with HTML5. VP8 and VP9 encoders are designed so that even with significant compression, decompression requires minimal computing power. The goal is to be able to watch real-time videos from the Internet from all devices (desktops, tablets, smartphones or multimedia devices such as smart TVs). So it’s no surprise that YouTube, as a subsidiary of Google, has turned all videos into WebM format, regardless of the original file format. However, YouTube still supports H.264 for those who can’t play WebM.
WebM has become a political problem in the Internet community. While Google is trying to impose this format on audio and video in all its forms, other competing companies, such as Apple and Microsoft, still insist on other formats, such as MP4. The main reason is the problem of patents: both software companies are part of the MPEG LA patent group, retaining the patents of the encoders they use and collecting license fees. Google is trying to overcome these patents with WebM.
This has already caused legal problems in the past: the controversy was the VP8 encoder. Many companies have criticized the fact that the coder did not take into account their patents. Google has reached an agreement with MPEG LA, but Nokia, which is not part of the patent team, is violating their rights. However, the first lawsuit filed by the company in a lawsuit against an HTC competitor that identified V8 devices was rejected by the Mannheim District Court.
WebM is compatible with some of the main browsers: Chrome, Chromium, Firefox and Opera do not require more features to play the format. Microsoft Edge needs an additional addition. Safari can also be customized to play WebM, at least on the desktop version. Instead, it becomes annoying for iPhone and iPad users, who need to install additional software to play video on their devices.
The most popular program for playing WebM files is probably the VLC player. This program is also available for iOS devices, so Winamp and Kodi also have the ability to play WebM. Windows Media Player 12 can also play WebM. However, to do this you need to install the WebM Media Foundation. WebM video playback can also work on Internet Explorer.
WebM vs MP4: advantages and disadvantages
While WebM is still a relatively new form, MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) and H.264 have been used for many years. This has turned the previous format and its encoder into a standard: in fact, you will find very few applications that are not compatible with MP4. In addition to Internet services and software for PC and Mac, there are also many devices (eg cameras) that can manage MP4. The high degree of acceptance makes the format interesting for both the manufacturer and the user.
However, Google earns points for WebM’s open source character: there are no costs for the manufacturer and developer to use the form, and this applies to the end user. The software is then distributed through the open BSD license.
The issue of the license to be used for MP4 and H.264 is unclear: most users, even those who create professional videos, do not know if they already have a valid license to purchase hardware and software or if they have The videos will find license fees. By using WebM you avoid all this confusion. However, MPEG LA announced in 2010 that the use of the H.264 encoder will be free in the future, provided that the videos produced are made available to users for free.
