
What is video format and which one is better?

If you went in and read this text, it is likely that you have already encountered the difficulties of video playback and the concept of video format. In this article, I would like to highlight common questions about what is a video format, what formats are there, and what is their difference, as well as give advice on how to choose the most convenient format to store your video.

Generally speaking, a video file is a set of still images that switch between each other at a certain frequency. Each image is a separate video frame. This is true when it comes to uncompressed videos. These video files take up a lot of disk space and it doesn’t always make sense to store them. And it makes sense when the video is of optimal quality and size. We can achieve this by using the desired format.
What is the video format?
The video format is determined by two parameters: a container file (in which the recording is stored) and the codecs (used to process sound and images)
What is a container file?
Consider the video recording process on any digital video camera. A video camera records sound and video in separate sequences (tracks), encoding each of them with a special program: a codec. Then both tracks are put into a special file, the same container file, where they are given a description. This information will further help the media player to correctly synchronize the image and sound when playing a video.
What is a codec?
A codec is a program that compresses when recording and decompresses multimedia information during playback: audio, video, etc.
So how are the formats different?
The content of the container file. For example, you can put multiple audio tracks and subtitles in an AVI container. And in the MKV container, you can pack whatever you want: any number of video and audio tracks, animated and test subtitles, fonts for them, and much more.
Codecs used. Despite the wide variety of codecs, each format is “friendly” or compatible only with certain audio and video codecs.
For example, an MPEG container only allows video compressed with MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 codecs. But its younger cousin, the MP4 container, is less demanding on connections: here the choice of codecs will be wider.
Many others stem from these two basic differences:
File size
video resolution
the ability to play videos online
picture quality
other…
There are formats that produce ultra-clear images and great sound, but take up a lot of disk space, and there are formats that cannot boast of video image quality, but take up very little space. Therefore, to the question: “Which of the video formats is better?” – everyone must answer for themselves. Depending on the characteristics of the device on which the movie or clip will be viewed, the best quality, the “clearest” or, for example, the most common format may be the best.
We recommend that you choose for yourself several “on duty” formats, which will be adapted to each one according to your needs. Here are the format guidelines for different storage locations.
Video for online storage:
YouTube, Vk, Facebook, Vimeo
Please use MP4 format with H.264 and AAC codecs. This setting provides the highest video quality with the smallest file size.
Other places
Most modern sites are “compatible” with MP4, FLV, AVI, and WebM, so choose one of them.
Video storage on computer:
If you have a powerful computer (see the specs below), protect your recording in MKV or MTS (M2TS) and enjoy excellent picture and sound quality
Intel, AMD (or compatible) processor with a frequency of at least 1 GHz.
1280×1024 screen resolution, 32-bit color (or higher).
1 GB of RAM for Windows XP, 2 GB for Vista, Windows 7 and 8.
NVIDIA® graphics with CUDA ™ technology support.
If your computer does not meet the above specifications, save the video with a video resolution of no more than 960×540 pixels in MP4, AVI, WMV format if it is Windows OS and MOV or MP4 if you have Mac OS X.
Video for storage on a mobile device:
Convert video for mobile phone with video converter. I recommend FormatFactory. It has many presets for popular models and a simple interface to help you convert your videos to the format you want.
Personally, I think that you should focus on popular video hosting sites like YouTube and Vimeo anyway, and compress videos with compression parameters similar to what these two giants use at home.







