Choosing the right video format is crucial for the success of video content. Whether for social media, marketing campaigns or film productions – the right format can have a significant impact on the quality and compatibility of your videos. In this article, TransferXL explains the most important video formats, highlights their advantages and disadvantages and provides valuable tips on how to choose the right format for your project.
Common video formats
MPEG-2 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2)
MPEG-2 is an older but still widely used format, particularly in the TV sector and on DVDs. It was developed to ensure high-quality video transmission and is known for its efficient compression. MPEG-2 is commonly used for standard definition television, cable broadcasts and physical media such as DVDs.
- Advantages: Good compromise between quality and file size, ideal for TV broadcasts and DVDs.
- Disadvantages: Relatively large files, not optimal for modern streaming services as it was not designed for high resolutions.
MPEG-4 (MP4 – Moving Picture Experts Group 4)
MP4 is one of the most popular video formats for the internet and mobile devices. It offers a very good compromise between quality and file size and supports a variety of codecs, making it extremely versatile. MP4 is the standard format for YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp and is supported by almost all modern devices and platforms.
- Advantages: High compatibility, small file size, ideal for streaming, mobile devices and web videos.
- Disadvantages: Slight loss of quality when heavily compressed.
AVI (Audio Video Interleave)
AVI was developed by Microsoft and is an older but very versatile format that supports various codecs. AVI has a relatively high quality compared to modern formats, but is associated with large file sizes due to its uncompressed nature.
- Advantages: High image quality and flexibility due to support for different codecs.
- Disadvantages: Very large files, which makes it difficult to use on the web and on mobile devices.
MOV (QuickTime Movie)
MOV was developed by Apple for use with QuickTime and is a popular format for video editing. The format impresses with its excellent quality and supports a variety of functions that make it attractive for post-production of films and professional video content.
- Advantages: High image quality, ideal for video editing and Apple devices.
- Disadvantages: Large file sizes, not always compatible with non-Apple devices.
WMV (Windows Media Video)
WMV was developed by Microsoft and is particularly optimized for use on Windows platforms. The format enables good compression and is therefore suitable for streaming and distributing videos over the internet.
- Advantages: Efficient compression, ideal for Windows-based systems and streaming.
- Disadvantages: Limited compatibility with non-Windows devices and applications.
VOB (Video Object)
VOB is the standard video format for DVDs. It is based on MPEG-2 and contains video and audio data as well as menus and subtitles. VOB files are usually relatively large, as they contain uncompressed or only slightly compressed video and audio data.
- Advantages: High quality, ideal for playback on DVD players and for creating DVDs.
- Disadvantages: Very large file sizes, not well suited for the internet as it is not optimized for streaming.
Special video formats
H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10, Advanced Video Coding)
H.264 is a state-of-the-art compression format that enables excellent video quality with a small file size. It is often used for streaming, web videos and Blu-ray discs. H.264 is one of the most widely used video formats as it is well suited for high-resolution video while reducing file size.
- Advantages: Excellent compression while maintaining high quality, optimal for streaming and web videos.
- Disadvantages: Patented, therefore license fees for some professional applications.
VP9
VP9 was developed by Google as an open source alternative to H.264 and is mainly used by YouTube and other Google services. VP9 offers similarly good compression as H.264, but without license fees.
- Advantages: Open source, no license fees, good compression.
- Disadvantages: Less widespread than H.264, hardware support not yet universal.
HEVC (H.265 – High Efficiency Video Coding)
HEVC is the successor to H.264 and enables even more efficient compression, which is particularly important for 4K and 8K content. Thanks to the improved compression, the file size can be further reduced without compromising the video quality.
- Advantages: Best compression for high-resolution videos (e.g. 4K, 8K), ideal for streaming and professional productions.
- Disadvantages: Requires more processing power and is not yet supported by all devices, also patented and subject to licensing.
Compatibility and conversion of video formats
It can be frustrating if a video cannot be played on a device. Different platforms and devices support different formats and it is important to recognize and work around these compatibility issues.
Compatibility issues
A video format that works perfectly on one device may not play at all on another device. This is particularly problematic when sharing videos via different platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook or WhatsApp.
Tools for converting video formats
There are numerous software options for converting video formats – e.g. from VOB to MP4 files. Programs such as Handbrake or the VLC Media Player make it easy to convert videos. Online services also have useful conversion options, e.g. Convertio.
Tips for choosing the right format
MP4 is often the best choice for publishing on social media platforms such as YouTube or Facebook. It has an excellent ratio between quality and file size and is supported by almost all platforms. MP4 is also suitable for messenger apps such as WhatsApp, while MOV or AVI may be more suitable for high-quality productions.
The future of video formats
New developments and trends
With the increasing demand for 4K and 8K content, video formats are also evolving. HEVC and VP9 are already established and new codecs such as AV1 are gaining in importance. These formats promise even more efficient compression and could set new standards in the coming years.
Impact on the video industry and consumers
For content creators and marketers, this means that they will have to adapt their processes to keep pace with technological developments. New formats often require more powerful hardware and software, which is particularly important in the production of high-resolution videos.
Send common video files easily with TransferXL
If you want to send large files, TransferXL is the ideal solution. With TransferXL, you can send files of up to several hundred gigabytes quickly, securely and easily. Many conventional services reach their limits, especially with large video files, which often comprise several gigabytes. TransferXL impresses with the following advantages:
- Security: if required, your files are transferred with end-to-end encryption to ensure maximum data security.
- Speed: Even large files are uploaded and downloaded quickly thanks to automatic file compression during upload.
- Notification: You can check the status of your sent files by e-mail and receive a notification as soon as the recipient has downloaded the file.
With TransferXL, you no longer have to worry about compatibility issues or upload limits. Try it today and send your videos in your preferred format – easily, quickly and securely.
FAQ on video formats
Which video formats are most commonly used?
The most common video formats are MP4, AVI, MOV and WMV. They are supported by most devices and platforms.
Which video format is best suited for playback on mobile devices?
The MP4 format is recommended for playback on mobile devices. It is characterized by a good compromise between quality and file size and is supported by most smartphones and tablets.
Which video formats are suitable for use on the internet?
The MP4 and WebM formats are best suited for use on the web. These formats offer good compression and enable fast streaming playback.
Which video formats support high resolutions (e.g. 4K)?
The MP4 and MKV formats are suitable for high resolutions such as 4K. These formats support high image quality and enable the playback of videos in Ultra HD.
How can I convert a video to another video format?
There are various software and online tools that you can use to convert videos to other formats. Some popular options are Handbrake, VLC Media Player and online converters such as Convertio. However, please note that there may be a loss of quality when converting.
