Video formats

Video file formats define the structure of a video and reflect exactly how the file is stored on any storage medium. Currently, there is a huge variety of video formats, and it is sometimes quite difficult to understand their features. Besides, users often confuse the concepts of "codec", "container", "and video standard" and replace one another.

For compression of digital multimedia files, you can use special programs – codecs.  This is a kind of formula that determines how you can "pack" video content. Codecs perform the reverse decoding operation, in this case they are called decoders. The most popular video codecs are: DivX, XviD, H.261, H.263, H.264, etc.

Any operating system initially contains a certain set of codecs, but they are not enough to play certain video files. Codecs convert data into a special file called a container. A container is a special wrapper that stores codec-encrypted information.

In fact, media containers are video formats that contain data about their internal structure. The first media container was created in 1985. The container can store information of different quality, in particular, images, audio, video and subtitles. Different types of containers determine the amount and quality of information that can be kept in it, but it does not affect data encoding methods.

In practice, there are a lot of cases when it is necessary to convert video from one format to another. The main problem lies in the fact that various devices impose special requirements on the quality of the downloaded video, in particular to video format. In this situation, come to the aid of special programs - converters, which allow you to convert the video into the desired format.