Video Format Guide

Posted by ttblogger on 03/15 at 08:00 AM Permalink
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Video may have killed the radio star, but it’s become more than just something that we watch on our televisions. Video is definitely an essential part of the desktop and Web experiences of most computer users. And more than just a few mobile phone users, to boot.

But like anything in the realm of computer technology, the video we watch is wrapped up in a morass of jargon and of weird extensions. If you don’t know your .avi from your .mov or .flv, then read on. 

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    Posted by zac  on  03/15  at  09:30 PM

  1. So how do I take a Iso or VOB file and turn it into say a AVI or MPEG for free to use in premiere pro? [removed]void(0);

    2. Posted by JOE  on  03/16  at  03:02 AM

  2. I read some of these tips, I’m so old i wish i could understand just one.LOL

    3. Posted by Dewey R. Hodgkinson  on  03/16  at  06:16 AM

  3. I am a VERY Loyal Geeks fan.  Check my Email Accounts or ask Jerimey in the Discount store.  Your store is great and I have a question regarding this Tech Tips Blog.  All these great Video programs sometime need “Converting” to make them play when using equipment that doesn’t recognize the Video Format.  Question, is there any program available (Free is best) that will convert all, or most, to another format.  If you can recommend one, I would appreciate it.  Thanks, Customer and Neighbor here in Oceanside.

    Dewey Hodgkinson - 760.945-0303

    4. Posted by RadioRich  on  03/16  at  06:22 AM

  4. Great article.  Thanks for sharing.

    5. Posted by BobbyJoe  on  03/16  at  08:50 AM

  5. Great Tech Tip on video formats.  Most of my pictures are in “JPEG” format which was not discussed.  What is JPEG and how does it compare with MPEG? Thank you.

    6. Posted by DW  on  03/16  at  12:09 PM

  6. I’ve been a subscriber to tech tips for a long time, and generally find them succinct and accurate.  However, this one misses the boat.  There are a large number of inaccuracies, so many that feel it is not worth pointing them out (doing so might come close to rewriting the entire thing).  I’m sorry, but I would instead recommend potential readers steer clear of this one entirely.

    7. Posted by Scott  on  03/16  at  04:04 PM

  7. @Dewey

    If you’re using Windows, then you might want to check out Xvid Converter (http://www.xvidconverter.com/). If you have small video files, then I’ve had some good luck with a couple of online converters: Zamzar (http://www.zamzar.com/) and Media Convert (http://media-convert.com/).

    8. Posted by Sindhu Shayana  on  03/16  at  10:20 PM

  8. I eagerly wait for Tech-Tips articles every
    day & whenever it appears I read it with lot
    of interst. The articles are highly educative
    & contains lot of information. Thanks for the same.
    I am interested to see VCR output of Camcorder
    on my computer. (TV to PC converter). Please suggest how to do this. I am very eagerly
    waiting for your valued advise on this. Sincerely hope I will not be disappointed.
    Thanks with regards, Sindhu Shayana

    9. Posted by RTShaw  on  03/18  at  06:20 AM

  9. Thank u

    very good info 4 all

    keep up the good work

    10. Posted by Conrado Cordeiro  on  03/18  at  06:51 PM

  10. Excellent information,

    thanks

    The IT Operation

    http://www.theitoperation.com

    11. Posted by Dewey R. Hodgkinson  on  03/19  at  06:24 AM

  11. I appreciated the “Come Back” to my inquiry about converting formats.  My problem is that I need a program to convert MP+3 type files (Karaoke) and I have hundereds of them.  I will be happy to pay, or get a Free Program that can do a BULK transfer of these to MP4.  Thanks again Dewey Hodgkinson

    12. Posted by mike  on  03/20  at  06:39 PM

  12. Actually there is a pretty big difference between formats & containers, though the container can sometimes dictate the formats you have available to choose from. Microsoft’s avi is arguably the best known container on PCs, & it’s main shortcoming is that it can’t carry lots of extra info like newer alternatives. While avi files can hold video with less or no compression [like the still important & popular DV], they work equally well holding varieties of mpeg4 like wmv. Avi files also have a place in editing, with several (near) lossless codecs [COmpresser - DECompresser] available. When talking about codecs &/or formats, it’s important to recognize that many non-interchangeable varieties are possible, along with a large number of settings—i.e. just because something’s mpg2, it won’t necessarily work on a DVD without re-encoding. These differences are often responsible for extreme playback difficulties, as users might install additional codecs so similar to what they already have, that software conflicts result breaking most video playback in Windows.

    Windows Media Video (wmv) is the grand-daddy of mpeg4 codecs… many alternatives got their start as a result of studying/using Microsoft code, along with the coders who went on to develop these alternatives. While yes, it was originally designed for on-line streaming &/or download, it’s evolved into a workhorse that’s equally well suited to email & HD in theaters. The more pixels used to make up a frame of video, the larger the file holding the video will be—wmv is extremely flexible in this respect, & both compression & file size can vary tremendously. As a means of comparing relative compression efficiency, both mpg2 & varieties of mpg4 can be used for BD discs—on these discs mpg4 (including wmv) takes up far less than half the space used by mpg2. The older mpeg1 is usually referred to as mpeg (without any numbers) & really isn’t used anymore since it doesn’t do anything all that well—it was just something (like VHS) that was once common but long since replaced by better technology.

    Microsoft designed their Windows Media Player & the Windows Media Video & Audio formats so that they would work with a script, not unlike the optional scripts used with Real Media, or inside a Shockwave file (swf). Microsoft’s also developed a streaming format that like avi can hold Windows Media Video &/or Audio files—it works similar to Flash, where audio & video can stand alone, be paired, or encapsulated in a Shockwave file (swf).

    Flash itself is popular because from a site developer point of view, it’s easiest in just about every way, including not having to worry about visitors playing it. It can also be harder to steal someone’s site design when it’s implemented in Flash. Flash itself isn’t a video codec or format proper, but a media player. Designed originally for simpler vector art animations, regular full motion video is usually limited to ~ 12 - 15 fps, encoded by either a couple of official (or several unofficial) encoders. Most of the really advanced, optional processing possible with many mpeg4 alternatives is missing—flv isn’t smaller because it’s more efficient, but because more frames & quality have been tossed aside.

    Quicktime was popular with the video editing crowd for quite a while, but currently their claim to fame is early mastery of mpeg4, all but abandoning the original Quicktime codecs that made it’s name. 3GP & it’s close knit cousins are varieties of mpeg4—just like mpg2 within a specified framework of settings is used on DVDs, mpeg4 that fits a specific template is 3GP.

    13. Posted by ed jurewicz  on  04/03  at  06:45 AM

  13. These tech tips are an excellent add on to your site. They are timely and well written. They add a free premium to your business that will be remembered overtime and attract an attention and credibility that will hopefully lead to increased sales.

    14. Posted by Dan Miller  on  04/12  at  05:15 AM

  14. Thank-you for the information.  I was able to help out one of my colleagues who is trying to send video files to her daughter who teaches in France.

    Again,
    Thanks!

    Dan Miller
    Technology Education Dept.
    OP Middle School

    15. Page 1 of 1 pages

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