Video File Formats - MP4, MOV, MKV

Summary

This video dives into the world of video file formats and codecs, explaining the differences between file extensions like MP4, MKV, and MOV, and the importance of codecs such as H.264 and H.265 for video compression. It highlights how these codecs help reduce file size while maintaining quality, touching on open-source alternatives like VP8 and VP9. The video also covers container files, their compatibility, and features. Lastly, it discusses Adobe Flash formats being phased out and offers tips on simplifying workflows across multiple computers using tools like Synergy.

Takeaways

• 📹 Video file extensions like MP4, MKV, and MOV are containers, not just formats.
• 🔧 A codec compresses or decompresses video files to save space; H.264 is one of the most popular codecs due to its efficiency.
• 📦 H.264 compresses video by predicting blocks of pixels and only saving differences, similar to JPEG compression for images.
• 🎬 H.265 (HEVC) is more efficient than H.264, supporting larger blocks and better predictions, crucial for 8K streaming.
• 💼 Both H.264 and H.265 are patent-protected, requiring companies to pay royalties for their use.
• 🌐 Google's VP8 and VP9 codecs are open-source alternatives to HEVC, often used based on device compatibility (e.g., Netflix).
• 🎥 MP4 is widely compatible and commonly used, but MKV is becoming more popular due to its flexibility and support for modern codecs.
• 🍏 Apple's MOV format is useful for editing due to faster export times in tools like Final Cut Pro.
• 💻 FLV and F4V are formats for Adobe Flash, which is being phased out.
• 🖱️ Synergy allows seamless movement of the mouse between multiple computers, solving the issue of multiple peripherals.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on explaining common video file formats and codecs, their differences, and how they are used in media editing and streaming.

What is the difference between a file format and a codec?

A file format, like MP4 or MKV, refers to the container that holds video and audio data, while a codec is the scheme used to compress or decompress that data, such as H.264 or HEVC.

Why is video compression necessary?

Video compression is necessary because uncompressed video files take up a lot of storage space. Compression reduces the file size while retaining as much visual quality as possible.

What makes H.264 a popular codec?

H.264 is popular because it maintains good image quality while significantly reducing file size by predicting and encoding blocks of pixels instead of saving every pixel individually. It’s widely used by platforms like YouTube and Blu-ray discs.

How does H.265 improve upon H.264?

H.265, or HEVC, is more efficient than H.264, using larger blocks of pixels (up to 4096) and more advanced prediction algorithms, which is crucial for streaming higher resolution content like 4K and 8K.

What is the motivation behind VP8 and VP9 codecs?

VP8 and VP9 are open-source codecs promoted by Google to avoid patent royalties associated with H.264 and H.265. These codecs are technologically similar to HEVC and are used by platforms like Netflix, depending on the user's device.

What is the difference between MP4 and M4V file formats?

M4V is essentially the same as MP4 but with Digital Rights Management (DRM) enabled. If an M4V file doesn't play, changing the extension to MP4 might help.

What are some advantages of the MKV container format?

MKV is versatile, supporting many combinations of audio and video codecs, flexible menus, and chapters. It can even play corrupted files, making it a growing popular choice for media enthusiasts.

Why is the MOV format commonly used for video editing?

MOV, developed by Apple for QuickTime, supports multiple codecs and allows for easier editing without rewriting the entire file, speeding up the export process in video editing software like Final Cut.

What are FLV and F4V formats typically used for?

FLV and F4V are formats used for videos meant to be played through Adobe Flash, which is now being phased out.

Outlines

00:00

📹 Introduction to Video Formats and Codecs

The video starts by encouraging viewers to subscribe and enable notifications to stay updated on future videos. It then dives into the variety of video file formats and containers like MP4, MKV, and MOV, explaining that these are not just file extensions but containers holding video, audio, and other data. The focus shifts to codecs, with H.264 being a popular example, which compresses video by predicting blocks of pixels and saving only the residual data. This method helps reduce file size while maintaining image quality.

05:00

🧠 Understanding H.264 and H.265 Compression

The script explains how H.264 splits video frames into 256-pixel blocks, predicting subsequent blocks and saving only the differences to reduce file size. It compares this method to JPEG compression for images. H.265 (HEVC), a newer codec, offers even better efficiency by using larger blocks and more advanced prediction algorithms, making it essential for 8K video streaming. However, both codecs are patent-protected, which has spurred the development of open-source alternatives like Google's VP8 and VP9. These are similar to HEVC, but there's no clear consensus on which is better for video quality.

🎬 Container Formats: MP4, MKV, and More

Moving to container formats, MP4 is highlighted as a widely compatible format, capable of holding H.264 video and MP3 or AAC audio streams. The MKV container, a rapidly growing alternative, supports newer codecs like H.265 and offers more flexibility with features like chapters and menu support. It even allows playback of corrupted files, making it a reliable choice for content creators. The paragraph also mentions Apple's MOV format, which supports multiple codecs and offers faster exporting in Final Cut Pro, a valuable feature for video editors.

🔚 Closing Thoughts on Legacy Formats

The script wraps up by briefly mentioning legacy formats like FLV and F4V, which were used in Adobe Flash but are now being phased out. It suggests checking out a previous video on this topic. Additionally, it promotes a tool called Synergy for managing multiple computers with a single set of peripherals, solving the clutter problem with KVM switches. The video closes with reminders to like, comment, and subscribe, emphasizing viewer interaction and engagement.

Keywords

💡Codec

A codec is a scheme used to compress or decompress a video file, making it smaller for storage or easier to stream. The video explains that codecs like H.264 and H.265 reduce file sizes by predicting and compressing video frames efficiently. This concept is crucial to the video's discussion of how different video formats manage storage and quality.

💡Container

A container is the file format seen at the end of a video file, like MP4, MKV, or MOV. It holds the video, audio, and other data (like subtitles) together. The video highlights how containers can support multiple codecs and how different containers have varying levels of compatibility with devices and software.

💡H.264

H.264 is a popular video codec used for compressing digital videos. It reduces file sizes while maintaining good visual quality, making it widely adopted by platforms like YouTube. The video describes how H.264 breaks video frames into blocks and uses predictions to minimize the amount of data stored, making it highly efficient.

💡H.265 (HEVC)

H.265, also known as HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding), is an advanced codec that offers even better compression than H.264. It supports larger blocks of data and more sophisticated algorithms, which is critical for reducing file sizes for 8K videos. The video mentions how H.265 is a more efficient option for future streaming needs, although it requires licensing fees.

💡MP4

MP4 is a popular video container format that can hold different types of video and audio streams. It is widely compatible and often used with H.264 video and AAC or MP3 audio codecs. The video explains that MP4 is commonly used among content creators due to its flexibility and ease of use across devices.

💡MKV

MKV (Matroska) is a versatile and rapidly growing video container format. It supports many different codecs, including newer ones like H.265, and offers better features like menu and chapter support. The video points out MKV’s ability to play corrupted files and its increasing popularity over MP4, especially for more complex projects.

💡VP8/VP9

VP8 and VP9 are open-source video codecs developed by Google, designed as alternatives to proprietary codecs like H.264 and H.265. They are similar in functionality to HEVC but do not require royalty fees. The video notes that Netflix and other streaming platforms use these codecs to optimize video playback across various devices.

💡Compression

Compression refers to the process of reducing the size of a video file by eliminating redundant data. The video explains how codecs like H.264 and H.265 use compression techniques to save space by predicting what video frames will look like. Higher compression rates result in smaller file sizes but potentially lower video quality.

💡MOV

MOV is a video container format developed by Apple for QuickTime. It supports multiple codecs and allows for easy editing without re-encoding the entire file. The video explains that this format is particularly useful for projects that require frequent updates or edits, as it speeds up the export process in video editing software like Final Cut.

💡FLV/F4V

FLV and F4V are formats associated with Adobe Flash video. These formats were once popular for web video but are now being phased out as Flash technology becomes obsolete. The video briefly mentions these formats while discussing older video technologies that are less relevant today.

Highlights

Introduction to video file formats and the importance of knowing the differences between them.

Explanation of file extensions like MP4, MKV, and MOV as containers for video files.

Clarification of codecs and how they compress video to save storage space.

H.264 codec is widely used due to its balance of quality and compression, especially for YouTube and Blu-ray discs.

Detailed explanation of how H.264 works by breaking video into 256-pixel blocks and using prediction algorithms.

H.265 codec (HEVC) improves on H.264 by using larger blocks (up to 4096 pixels) and better prediction algorithms.

H.265 (HEVC) is essential for managing file sizes as video streaming moves toward 8K resolution.

Patents restrict H.264 and H.265 codecs, motivating the development of open-source alternatives like VP8 and VP9 by Google.

Comparison between VP9 and HEVC codecs, used by services like Netflix based on device compatibility.

MP4 is still one of the most popular containers, supporting both MPEG and H.264 video along with AAC or MP3 audio streams.

MKV (Matroska) container is rapidly growing in popularity due to its flexibility and support for new codecs like H.265.

MKV files can play back even if they are partially corrupted, a significant advantage over other formats.

MOV format, developed by Apple, is optimized for quick editing without rewriting the entire file.

FLV and F4V formats are tied to Adobe Flash, which is being phased out, making them less relevant.

Mention of tools like Synergy for streamlining the use of multiple computers with a single set of peripherals.

Transcripts

thanks for watching techwiki click the

subscribe button then enable

notifications with the bell icon so you

won't miss any future videos when it

comes to video files there are a lot of

file formats out there if you're a video

editor or a media enthusiast you've

probably encountered a veritable

alphabet soup of different ones so just

like in our episodes on audio and image

formats which you can check out up here

we're going to demystify some of the

common formats that you can choose for

your newfangled moving picture movies

first up to avoid confusion it's

important to keep in mind that the

extension you see at the end of a file

name such as mp4 or mkv or mov

actually specifies what kind of

container the file is in but there's

more to formats than just the container

so all those video clips and trailers

that you got could be using any number

of different codecs as well

but what's a codec

glad you asked most digital video is

compressed in some way since otherwise

it'd take up tons of space on your hard

drive a codec is simply a particular

scheme that's used to compress or

decompress a file

there are lots of codecs out there but

one of the most prevalent ones today is

h.264 which is popular because it

retains decent image quality while

shrinking the file sizes significantly

the way it works is by instead of saving

each frame of the video pixel by pixel

h.264 splits frames into blocks of 256

pixels each and tries to predict

what each subsequent block will look

like based on either the rest of the

frame or from previous frames the

algorithm then compares the predicted

block to the actual block creating a

difference called a residual next the

kodak compares the residual to 16

checkerboard-like standard patterns and

how much of each pattern contributes to

the residual is stored as a number with

higher frequency patterns you see to the

lower right often discarded as these

take up the most space this is really

similar to how jpeg works for still

images and like jpeg you can choose how

much compression you want with higher

compression discarding more patterns and

yielding smaller file sizes but also

lower quality

however h.264 is actually pretty good at

making predictions and even includes a

filter to reduce some of the compression

blockiness you sometimes see on low

quality video making it a standard go-to

codec for sites like youtube as well as

for blu-ray discs at similar visual

quality h.264 only takes up about half

as much space as mpeg-2 which is still

in use today for dvd video and broadcast

tv but a new codec the imaginatively

named h.265 better known as hevc is even

more efficient than h.264 it can use

blocks of up to

4096 pixels and has more advanced

prediction algorithms which is critical

for keeping file sizes manageable as

internet streaming continues

on its inevitable march towards 8k

of course one downside to both h.264 and

265 is that they're protected by patents

so companies that want to use these

codecs have to pay royalties that seems

to be the motivation behind the

development of vp8 and vp9 a pair of

open source standards being pushed by

google that are technologically quite

similar to hevc there are image quality

differences but there's no real

consensus as to which one is better so

some service providers like netflix just

use whichever codec will work best on

the device the user's watching from

there are other codecs floating around

there like the venerable avi but at this

point we've covered the major modern

ones so let's get back to container

files starting with the familiar mp4 mp4

enjoys wide compatibility and can hold

either an mpeg or an h.264 encoded video

along with an aac or mp3 audio stream

pro tip if you ever see

m4v

at the end of a video it's basically

just a version of mp4 with drm enabled

so if one of these files refuses to play

try simply changing the extension to mp4

and give it another go but although mp4

is still really popular especially among

youtubers the matraska or mkv container

is one of the fastest growing it can

support just about any combination of

audio and video codecs including newer

ones like h.265 and has more flexible

support for menus and chapters as well

as the ability to play back a corrupted

file so you won't necessarily lose all

of that super important drone footage of

your boring neighborhood and for

creative types there are many other

formats that you might encounter each

with their own advantages and drawbacks

for example the mov format which was

developed by apple for quicktime

supports multiple codecs and is easier

to edit on the fly without having to

rewrite the entire file when you're done

a cool feature that makes exporting a

finished video from final cut much

faster than competing video editors that

have to encode the entire project from

scratch finally we can't wrap this video

up without talking about flv and f4 v

these indicate of course that the clip

is meant to be played in adobe flash

which is being phased out

now you know i'd love to tell you all

about that but we're out of time so go

and watch the video that we already made

about it and be sure to yell at us down

in the comments if we neglected the file

video format of your choice

juggling multiple computers is difficult

you end up with various sets of mice and

keyboards on your desk which not only

looks messy but gets super confusing kvm

switches can partially solve this

problem but we found that they aren't

very seamless and are sometimes

cumbersome but with synergy you can move

the mouse seamlessly between your

computers which makes them feel like one

computer check out the full details at

the link below so thanks for watching

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