What are Video Formats, Video Codecs and Video Containers?

Digital videos have become an integral part of our online experience, from streaming movies and sharing clips on social media to creating professional content. Behind the scenes, there's a complex ecosystem of video formats, codecs, and containers that work together to bring us high-quality visuals and audio. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the world of digital video, breaking down the concepts of formats, codecs, and containers, and how they influence our viewing experience.

Introduction: The Digital Video Evolution

Do you remember the era of VHS tapes? From those humble beginnings, video has transformed into a sophisticated digital element, central to our modern online experience. Today, we have a plethora of formats, codecs, and containers to choose from, each serving specific needs and platforms.

Basics of Digital Video: The Key Terms

Before we dive deep, let's set the stage by understanding some fundamental terms:

• Pixel: The tiniest unit in a video. It’s a small dot, which, when combined with millions of other dots, creates a visual image.
• Resolution: The number of pixels contained in a video, often expressed as width x height (e.g., 1920x1080).
• Bitrate: The data rate or the amount of data processed over a specific period. Higher bitrates typically offer higher video quality but require more storage.

What is a Video Format?

A video format is the blueprint for how digital video data is stored and organized. Each format has unique characteristics, determining aspects like quality, compatibility, and compression. Common video formats include MP4, WebM, AVI, MOV, MKV, and more.

In the realm of video content, the terms "file extensions" and "video formats" are often used interchangeably. For instance, we commonly associate MP4 with a file like "Videofile.mp4". However, this perspective doesn't capture the whole picture.

Video file formats encompass more than just a single file extension. They include a combination of files, folders, and playlists (like TS, M3U8, etc.), all crucial for seamless video playback.

It's important to grasp the distinction between Video Formats and Video File Formats (or File Extensions). Examples of Video Formats include MOV (QuickTime Movie), WMV (Windows Media Viewer), AVI (Audio Video Interleave), and MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14), to name a few.

In the landscape of video streaming, some of the prevailing video formats are MP4, MPEG-DASH, and HLS, each playing a unique role in the digital video ecosystem.

Video File Formats: The Alphabets of Video Files

Video file formats are like the digital languages of videos, each with its quirks and specialties. Let's unravel the most popular ones:

• MP4: Think of it as the universal translator. MP4 is compatible with almost all devices and offers decent video quality.
• WebM: Born for the web, WebM is an open-source format optimized for online streaming.
• MOV: Apple's brainchild, MOV is synonymous with high quality but tends to be larger in size.
• AVI and WMV: Microsoft's offerings to the video world, these formats are older but still relevant for certain applications.

Examples of Differences between the Video file Format and Video Format:

Video Format: MPEG-4 (MP4)

• Video File Format: .mp4
• Description: The MPEG-4 video format defines how video and audio data is encoded, compressed, and transmitted. The ".mp4" file extension indicates that the video data is stored in accordance with the MPEG-4 format.

Video Format: AVI (Audio Video Interleave)

• Video File Format: .avi
• Description: The AVI video format specifies how audio and video data are interleaved and stored within a container. The ".avi" file extension signifies that the video follows the AVI format.

Video Format: MOV (QuickTime Movie)

• Video File Format: .mov
• Description: The MOV video format, developed by Apple, determines how video and audio data are packaged within a QuickTime container. The ".mov" file extension denotes the use of the MOV format.

Digging Deep: Codecs and Containers

Here's where it gets intriguing!

• Codecs: Compressor-Decompressor. They compress the video file to make it smaller and then decompress it during playback.
• Containers: Think of them as 'boxes' that contain everything related to the video - the video and audio streams, metadata, subtitles, etc.

Understanding Video Codecs : The Master Magicians of Compression

Video codecs are algorithms that compress and decompress video data. Compression reduces file size by eliminating redundant information, while decompression recreates the original video. Codecs work by encoding video frames (pictures) and storing them in a compressed format. When played, the decoder recreates these frames for viewing.

Types of Video Codecs

• Lossy Codecs: These codecs discard some information during compression to achieve higher compression ratios. While they reduce file sizes significantly, they sacrifice some quality. Examples include H.264, H.265, and VP9.
• Lossless Codecs: These codecs maintain the original quality but with less compression. They are favored for professional video editing and archival purposes. Examples include Apple ProRes and Lagarith.
• Intra-frame vs. Inter-frame Compression: Intra-frame codecs compress individual frames, while inter-frame codecs compress multiple frames together, achieving higher compression. Intra-frame is suitable for editing, while inter-frame is ideal for distribution.

Companies like Front.Space help you convert video files to all the popular codecs.

The figure below depicts the creation of an encoded video file from original video and sound files.

Common Video Codecs Explained

H.264 (AVC): Widely used for online streaming due to its high compression efficiency and compatibility with various devices.

Pros of H.264 (AVC) Codec:

• Widespread Compatibility: Universally supported by devices and platforms.
• Efficient Compression: Balances good video quality with manageable file sizes.
• Streaming Performance: Suitable for online streaming due to its compression efficiency.

Cons of H.264 (AVC) Codec:

• Limited Efficiency: Less efficient than newer codecs like H.265.
• Bandwidth Usage: Higher bitrates needed for comparable quality to newer codecs.
• Resolution Limitation: Not optimized for ultra-high-definition formats like 4K and 8K.

H.265 (HEVC): Offers improved compression over H.264, ideal for 4K and HDR content but demanding more computational power.

Pros of H.265 (HEVC) Codec:

1. Improved Compression: Higher video quality at lower bitrates compared to H.264.
2. Future-Proofing: Supports 4K, 8K, and beyond for evolving display technologies.
3. Efficiency: Reduces bandwidth consumption for streaming and storage.

Cons of H.265 (HEVC) Codec:

1. Higher Complexity: Demands more computational resources for encoding and decoding.
2. Licensing Costs: Some implementations require licensing fees.
3. Compatibility: Not universally supported by all devices and platforms.

H.266 (VCC): Emerges as the successor to HEVC. Developed by the German company Fraunhofer. The proposal boasts a remarkable 50% reduction in data requirements compared to HEVC, resulting in videos being transmitted at double the speed which is ideal for mobile video streaming

Pros of H.266 (VCC) Codec:

• 50% reduced data requirements compared to HEVC.
• Doubles video transmission speed.
• Ideal for mobile streaming and HD content.

Cons of H.266 (VCC) Codec::

• Limited performance evaluation due to novelty.
• Potential storage cost reduction needs validation.

VP9: Google's open-source codec, known for its efficient compression and high quality, commonly used with WebM.

Pros of VP9 Codec:

• Royalty-Free Nature: Makes it financially appealing for businesses.
• Optimal for Web Streaming: Google's backing ensures robust support across many platforms and browsers.
• High Compression Efficiency: Suitable for 4K streaming.

Cons of VP9 Codec:

• Hardware Decoding: Not as widespread as some competitors, impacting playback efficiency on certain devices.
• Emergence of AV1: As a successor to VP9, AV1 poses competition, offering even better compression ratios.

AVC-Intra: Lossless codec used in professional video production for minimal quality loss during editing.

Pros of AVC-Intra Codec:

1. High Efficiency: Delivers superior video quality at lower bitrates.
2. Standard Adoption: Widely accepted in professional broadcasting.
3. Full Intra-frame Coding: Every frame is a self-contained picture, simplifying editing.
4. Reliability: Predictable performance and consistent bitrate.

Cons of AVC-Intra Codec:

1. Higher Resource Demand: Intensive computational requirements for encoding and decoding.
2. File Size: Files can be larger due to intra-frame coding.
3. Limited Compatibility: Not universally supported outside professional broadcasting equipment.

Video Containers: The Digital Envelope

Role of Containers

If codecs are the clothes, containers are the suitcases. Video containers hold video and audio streams, metadata, subtitles, and more. They don't affect video quality but determine how the content is packaged and delivered. Common containers include MP4, WebM, MOV, and AVI.

Inside the Video Containers, you'll find:

1. Video Stream: This tells your video player what visuals to show on your screen.
2. Audio Stream: This makes sure you hear the right sounds matching the video.
3. Metadata: Consider this the video file's ID card! It's jam-packed with info about the video, like its resolution, when it was created or edited, its bit-rate, any subtitles, and lots more.

Popular Video Container Formats

• MP4: Universally supported, known for its compatibility and versatility. Ideal for streaming and sharing.
• WebM: Open-source and efficient for web streaming, especially with VP9 video codec.
• MOV: Developed by Apple, often used for Mac-based editing and playback.
• AVI: One of the oldest formats, popular for Windows users and simple video storage.

Comparisons and Common Use-cases of Various Video Container Formats:

Each video container has its own strengths and characteristics that make it suitable for different use cases. Choose the container format that best aligns with your specific requirements, devices, and platforms

Choosing the Right Combination

Selecting the right format, codec, and container depends on your use case. For online streaming, MP4 with H.264 codec is a safe bet. For high-quality editing, consider lossless codecs like ProRes or DNxHR. Compatibility with devices and platforms is crucial.

Conclusion

Understanding the intricacies of digital video formats, codecs, and containers empowers creators and viewers alike. By making informed choices, you can optimize video quality, storage, and playback experience. As technology evolves, staying updated with the latest developments in this dynamic field ensures your videos continue to captivate audiences.