10 Most Common Video File Formats for 2024

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In today’s digital era, videos have become our primary sources of information. Whether it’s for educational purposes, training, or simply finding answers to everyday questions, we now turn to videos hosted on diverse online platforms. With the continuous evolution of technology, the importance and prevalence of videos are destined to grow. As this trend continues, we can expect a surge in the creation and dissemination of video content, both through the internet and other communication channels. Therefore, our aim is to provide a concise overview of video fundamentals and delve into the prevailing video file formats for the year 2024.

What is a video file?

A video consists of a sequence of images combined with audio data, resulting in a significantly higher level of complexity compared to individual image or audio files. The rapid succession of these images creates a continuous flow that is imperceptible to the human eye, rendering any gaps between consecutive pictures indiscernible. Modern smartphone cameras can record at a frame rate of 30 frames per second, capturing 30 snapshots of the scene in a single second. This high frame rate allows the human eye to perceive it as a seamless video, closely resembling real-life visuals without any noticeable interruptions.

Before delving into different video formats and their specifications, it’s essential to gain a deeper understanding of what constitutes a video file and the considerations to bear in mind when selecting a video file format.

Certain essential features or characteristics are imperative for a video file, and their specifics can fluctuate depending on the chosen video format. These attributes serve as determinants of video quality.

Frame rate – This represents the frame capture rate, measured in frames per second (fps). A frame rate of 24 fps is typically regarded as suitable for filming movies, television shows, and similar content. Increasing the frame rate results in smoother video playback but comes at the expense of increased storage requirements.

Aspect ratio – The aspect ratio of a video represents the relationship between its width and height. It is determined based on the typical screen dimensions used by viewers when watching the video.

Bitrate – Bitrate refers to the amount of data transferred within a single second, typically quantified in bits per second (bps). This characteristic becomes especially significant when engaging in online video streaming or broadcasting. A greater bitrate demands a fast and stable internet connection to ensure a seamless, buffer-free viewing or broadcasting experience.

Resolution – Video resolution refers to the pixel count within an individual video frame, and it directly influences the clarity of the image. Resolutions commonly encountered include 480p, 720p, 1080p, and 4K. While a 720p video might appear impressive on a mobile device, it tends to lose its sharpness when stretched to fill a larger 55-inch TV screen. Therefore, the significance of resolution becomes more pronounced as the display size expands.

Having discussed the features of a video, let’s now provide a brief explanation of the fundamental components that make up a video file. These characteristics serve to define and differentiate one video format from another.

Video and audio signal – This represents the factual information retained during video capture, encompassing both video and audio data. It constitutes the fundamental content within a video file, crucially accessed during video playback.

Container – A container can be likened to a wrapper that houses both video and audio signal information. When discussing video file formats, people commonly use the term “container” because containers are frequently associated with the file extensions of various video formats, such as .mp4, .avi, and .3gp.

Codec – A codec is a software application responsible for the encoding and decoding of video signals. Its primary function involves the storage of video signals and subsequent signal processing during video playback.

Frequently, a video container format has the capability to accommodate videos in various formats; however, it’s important to note that not all codecs and containers seamlessly harmonize. Typically, video recording devices are preconfigured to automatically select suitable codecs and containers. As a result, your primary consideration usually revolves around choosing the appropriate container or file format. Nonetheless, when converting a video, it’s crucial to ensure that you opt for codecs and containers that are mutually compatible.

Now, let’s explore the prevalent video file formats, delve into their features, and identify their ideal use cases.

1. MP4

For over a decade, MP4 has stood as the ubiquitous video file format of choice. Its widespread adoption has rendered it a staple, with virtually all reputable video player software seamlessly accommodating MP4 content. Originating from Apple, MP4 found its initial surge in popularity alongside the iTunes player. MP4 containers offer compatibility with codecs like H.264, H.265, and MPEG-4, while also serving as versatile repositories for images and audio data. This format excels in delivering high-quality video content within a compact file size. Moreover, MP4 boasts lossless compression capabilities, ensuring that video quality remains unscathed even through numerous rounds of editing and file saving. Its compatibility extends to major streaming platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and others.

2. MOV

MOV, a video file format created by Apple Inc., originally served as the primary format for Apple’s Quicktime video player. Its core objective was to provide top-notch video quality without any compromise. This emphasis on quality does result in larger file sizes when compared to the more commonly used MP4 format. Furthermore, the limited compatibility of MOV files with various video players has hindered its widespread adoption. Nevertheless, the landscape shifted with the introduction of the Quicktime player for Windows, expanding the utility of the MOV format beyond its initial Apple-centric origins.

3. AVI

AVI, an acronym for Audio Video Interleave, represents one of the most enduring video file formats, originally conceived by Microsoft in 1992. Its enduring popularity owes much to its extensive codec compatibility. However, as AVI’s development predates the internet’s widespread use for video transmission, it tends to yield larger file sizes when compared to more contemporary video formats. Consequently, AVI is not the favored choice for internet-based uploads or streaming. Instead, it shines as an optimal option for individuals seeking to store video files in their personal storage without sacrificing video quality.

4.FLV

The FLV video format, commonly referred to as Flash video format, was developed by Adobe Systems and has gained widespread usage. Its popularity stems from its compatibility with Adobe Flash Player, which can be seamlessly integrated as a plugin into various web browsers. This enables effortless playback of FLV video files directly within web browsers. However, FLV’s utility extends beyond internet browsing, as it can be played on any reputable video player. FLV supports the H.264 video codec and HE-AAC audio compression format. Nevertheless, due to certain limitations associated with the H.264 format, Adobe recommends the use of the F4V format alongside H.264 compression for optimal performance.

5. MKV

The MKV format is an open-source video standard created by the French non-profit organization, Matroska. Its open-source nature has contributed to its widespread popularity among up-and-coming content creators.

6. WMV

WMV, an acronym for Windows Media Video, serves as both a codec format and a video file container. Microsoft developed WMV as a component of the Windows Media Framework. Initially designed for hosting on streaming platforms and internet applications, WMV produces video files with notably small sizes when compared to alternative video formats. Its modest file size makes WMV a preferred choice for sharing videos via email or on platforms with strict video file size restrictions. However, this compactness comes with a trade-off: WMV employs lossy compression, resulting in video quality that falls short of lossless codecs.

7. AVCHD

Sony and Panasonic collaborated to create the AVCHD format, which was designed for the purpose of capturing high-definition videos with digital camcorders. The format’s full name, Advanced Video Coding High Definition (AVCHD), succinctly conveys its primary objective. AVCHD employs H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for video compression and Dolby AC-3 for audio compression. This format serves as the default recording mode for numerous camcorder models produced by both Sony and Panasonic, and it additionally accommodates the recording of 3-D videos. These inherent attributes render AVCHD particularly well-suited for the needs of professional videographers.

8. WEBM

The WebM format was initially introduced with Google’s backing to offer a fresh video format suitable for online use, presenting an alternative to HTML5 videos. It is a relatively recent format and lacks support on Mac OS and Quicktime player at present. Nonetheless, it enjoys broad compatibility without the need for users to download extra codecs when used with prominent video players like VLC, K-player, MPlayer, and others.

At this point, you should possess a clear understanding of the significance of utilizing an effective codec for video content. Consequently, for the final two entries on our agenda, let’s delve into the discussion of widely used codecs rather than focusing on container formats.

9. H.264

Advanced Video Coding, commonly referred to as H.264, stands as a widely embraced video compression codec. Its architecture relies on block-based, motion-compensated integer-DCT techniques, with the primary objective of achieving commendable video quality while minimizing bit rates. H.264 is the codec of choice for numerous video file container formats and boasts compatibility with high-resolution videos, including those up to 8K.

10. MPEG-4

While MPEG-4 predates H.264, it remains prevalent in legacy systems and certain video file formats, particularly favored by online streaming services. Nonetheless, its popularity has waned in comparison to the H.264 and H.265 codec formats.

We conclude this discussion and trust that you’ve discovered intriguing facts and valuable information within this article. Moreover, for those entering the world of videography and encountering video corruption issues, there’s a positive update. You can utilize the Kernel Video repair tool to resolve your video problems without compromising any data.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have elucidated the fundamental aspects of video files and the pivotal factors that govern video quality. Subsequently, we delved into the fundamental components of video files and underscored the importance of selecting the appropriate codec and container for your video content. We proceeded to explore eight widely-used video file formats and two popular video codecs, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed format choices for your videos. Finally, we introduced a potent video repair tool capable of swiftly restoring corrupted video files. Should you find this article beneficial, we welcome your valuable feedback in the comments section.