Introduction
to Different Video File Types
By Jim Moore
Most
of us - because we use Windows - are probably more familiar with the Windows
video file format - AVI. This is what you will see at the end of the file
name (for example, movie23.avi). These open by default in Windows Media
Player.
However, there are many different types. Those who use Quicktime
(I use both) more often deal with .mov file types,(for example,
movie23.mov).
Windows Media Player will
not open .mov files. Quicktime,
originally a Macintosh program, will open both .mov and .avi
files. WinAmp is also a popular (and free) audio-video player.
There are also MPEG types (the video version of MP3
audio files), RAM or Real Media file types, DVD, VCD and
Super DVD types - Digital Video and Video CD.
There
is also a DivX format for higher quality ... and this is the one
that causes the most problems for beginners trying to convert or view
their videos.
The problem arises
when you try to play something that does not match your player, or when
you try to upload a video to YouTube or Google Video, for example ... or
when you try to convert a movie from one format to another. That's when
things get (unnecessarily?) complicated.
Everyone
pushes their own format - sort of like the old Betamax and Sony videotape
wars. The consumer ends up confused and frustrated.
But
wait - it gets worse! There are also such things as Flash video
file formats - SWF and FLV. And Google even has its own GVI
format. SWF is the only one of these that doesn't require a special
video player. SWF plays in Macromedia Flash - and most computers (but not
all) already have that installed.
All
of this hodge-podge is really a problem if you want to put videos up on
your website - videos that will work for everyone. For example, most
people still use that (horrible!) Internet Explorer for their browser -
but a growing number are using Firefox, Opera or Netscape. What works with
Internet Explorer will often not work with the others.
So
how do you find that lowest common denominator that will work with all of
them?
In another article, I will
cover some of the solutions that work - and some "solutions"
that don't work as promised. We'll look at some popular software solutions
- and some "secret" software, much of it free or low-cost.
("Free" is your friend if it does what you want!)
In
fact, you'll soon find some of it right here in our bookstore.
Most
of us - because we use Windows - are probably more familiar with the Windows
video file format - AVI. This is what you will see at the end of the file
name (for example, movie23.avi). These open by default in Windows Media
Player.