Some  Common Video file formats

(Revised 12-7 2:00pm)

• .avi this is the most common and least compressed file format. It is often used in editing because there is more information in the file than in other formats. However these files are very large.

• .mpeg1 and .mpeg2. are compressed files that take up less space. mpeg2 is the format that is used when making video DVD's for dvd players.

• .wvm is a windows  format offered in a various compression ratio's and frame sizes. very useful for uploading to the internet and for email.

• all the above formats can be played in Windows Media Player and edited in Windows Moviemaker

• The formats listed below require the Quicktime player.

• .mp4, .mpeg4~~ a very highly compressed format useful for uploading to the internet.  The resultant files almost as small as the mov and wmv formats with generally superior quality and larger frame sizes. They are playable in Quicktime . Avi files can be converted to mp4 files using the  MPEG STREAMCLIP  converter.

• .mov~~this is the format that apple computer uses.These files may be played back on the Quicktime player Many digital still cameras also use this format. These files will not be recognized by Windows Movie maker. The MPEG STREAMCLIP  converter will change .mov files into .avi files that will be recognized by Moviemaker.

• .flv, Flash~~This is a format used by youtube ,google and many of the other video web sites. These sites have converters when you upload your other video formats. We will not be using these formats in our editing.

Close this page to get back to the main page.