Most people think of video formats as just the file extension of video files, such as AVI, MP4, MKV, and so on. In actual fact, they are so much more than that – and have a big impact on your videos.
Simply put the ‘format’ of a video refers to both its container and its codec. The container is what determines the file extension, and holds all the video data and components together. On the other hand, the codec is used encode and decode that data, compressing it so that it can be stored without requiring as much space.
Importance of Video Formats
By this point, you may have a slight idea of why video formats are important. Simply put they will affect your video in various ways:
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Compression and file size
The video codec will determine the compression that your video uses and ultimately affect its file size. Some codecs are able to compress videos more efficiently without a noticeable difference in quality, and for example, the newer H.265 codec can reduce the file size of H.264 videos by about half.
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Compatibility
Different devices support different types of formats – both in terms of containers and codecs. As a result, some devices may not be able to play videos in certain formats, or may only be able to decode them using software that is processor-intensive and will require a lot of power.
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Additional video features
The video container will determine what additional video features are supported, such as metadata, menus, captions, chapters, streaming, and so on. Some containers are far more versatile than others and support more features.
See how the impact of formats can affect your video? Based on that you may even be starting to see how converting the format can help.
How Converting Video Formats Can Help
Basically, videos can be converted to and from different formats provided you have the right software. For example, you could use Online Video Converter as an MPG to MP4 converter if you need one.
By converting your videos you will be able to:
- Ensure they are compatible and can be played on the device that you’re using, or with the device or platform others are using if you’re distributing the video.
- Reduce the video file size by converting it to a format with better compression rates, and possibly reducing the video bitrate further if necessary.
- Match the recommended settings of online platforms so that they don’t automatically convert the video once you upload it – which could affect its quality.
In short converting video formats can be extremely useful if you’re creating or managing video files. For personal use, it can be helpful as well and will ensure that you never run into a video that you can’t play because its format isn’t supported by your device.
It is up to you whether you prefer to rely on online video converters or apps to do the job, but what is important is that you are able to convert the format of your videos if necessary.