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Video File Types

Here is a list of the most common formats with the pros and cons for each.  This list is by no means a complete list.  It is meant for beginning and intermediate level video producers.

Here are the common video file format types:

  • AVCHD: This is an HD format for high resolution video.   These files are becoming quite common as HD spreads to more consumers.  AVCHD is not a sharing format, it’s for video at the beginning of a project.  Since HD is still a new format, few edit programs handle HVCHD files yet, although the list grows daily.
  • avi: AVI is what’s known as a container format.  (Sometimes referred to as a wrapper.)  There are many formats in this category and here’s what it means.  Let’s make an analogy of a “container” for liquid.  The container is the container; it will hold any kind of liquid.  (Or even a solid!)  You can put water or gasoline into the container.  Same with a “container” video format.
    • AVI is an early form of video file so it has been around forever and is very common.   The fact that it has been around forever means it is highly compatible with most players, even with the rotating insides issues.

    • AVI is for video in the beginning of a video project. .avi files are usually way too big for a finished video so it is not considered a sharing file.    .avi is better used as a format in the beginning stages of video production, not for the final output.

  • .wmv: A Microsoft format. .wmv stands for Windows Media Video.  .wmv files are tiny because they are highly compressed.  This is one of the smallest  sharing formats, so it is for the end stages of your video project.
    •  .wmv are about the only type of file small enough to email so that is a huge advantage. 
    • Since windows based products are so common, .wmv files will play on just about anything, except a Mac.
  • .flv: .flv means it is a Flash video format.  This is an extremely common and popular format because it is small but still looks good.  This is the most common sharing format on the web there is.  Flash is slowly being replaced by HTML5 however as the online format of choice.
    • .flv is highly compatible with most computers and browsers.   If you are watching a video online, it is probably in .flv format.   About 70% of all internet video is still Flash, although before the iPad, Flash was more like 98% saturation.
  • MPEG2: MPEG 2 is the type of video file the a home DVD player will read.  If you go out and rent a Hollywood Movie from Blockbuster, the DVD will contain an MPEG2 file.
    • MPEG2 is way too big for the web. 
    • MPEG2 is also incompatible with video editing software.
    • You can not edit an MPEG2 file without converting it first.
  • MPEG4: MPEG 4 is today’s defacto universal standard for video files on the web.  MPEG4 is a sharing format that produces tiny files that still look pretty good