Video formats are frequently misunderstood, and the role that they play is often underestimated. At its core however a video format is really just a type of file format to store digital video data.
The reason why video formats are misunderstood is because they consist of two separate parts, namely the container and video codec.
“What is a Video Codec?”
The video codec is used to compress the video data by using various algorithms to store it more efficiently. That compression can either be:
- Lossless compression that discards no data and allows the original video data to be restored exactly as it was when the video is decompressed.
- Lossy compression that discards some data that is considered to be redundant in order to reduce the file size by a more significant margin.
Most videos use lossy compression to make the file size more manageable for delivery. Lossless compression is generally only used by professional production studios.
“What is a Container?”
A container is the wrapping that holds together the video data that is encoded using a video codec, the audio data that is encoded using an audio codec, and other data too such as subtitles, chapters, menus, synchronization information, and metadata.
The types of video and audio codecs that are supported as well as the other data that the container can hold will vary from one container to the next.
The file extension of the video file is determined by the container and not the video codec.
What Role Does the Format Play
Overall the video format (both container and codec) plays an important role in several different aspects of the video, such as its:
- File size
The file size of the video will vary depending on the video codec that is used to encode the data. Some codecs provide more efficient compression than others, and for example, the H.265 (HEVC) codec can reduce the file size of H.264 videos by up to 50% while retaining the same quality.
- Compatibility
For a video to be viewed its data needs to be decoded (i.e. decompressed) by the device, it is on. That can be accomplished either using hardware or software.
Software decoding for video codecs can be added to devices, making it more readily available. However, it requires more processing power than hardware decoding.
If you need to convert a video format, you can use Movavi Video Converter for Mac (www.movavi.com/videoconvertermac/). It will allow you to easily convert your video between different containers and codecs, and has useful presets for various devices and platforms. On top of that its other features will let you edit, compress, and prepare the video in numerous ways.
Now that you understand what video formats are and the role they play, it should be easy to see why you may need to convert them to reduce their file size or ensure they are compatible. By using the ‘right’ format for your videos, you can ensure they’re able to be viewed without any issues.