Video Container Formats

Introduction

Fifteen years ago, we primarily watched movies in cinemas, on CDs or DVDs, or by downloading them from the internet.

  • For films I enjoyed, I would often keep a copy on my computer to rewatch or share with friends.
  • PPTV and Funshion were popular then, but slow internet speeds and poor video quality were significant limitations.
  • Today, video streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, and Hulu have become the norm.
  • Many of these companies even produce exclusive content.
Consequently, basic knowledge of video file formats was more relevant in the past.

NOTE: The availability of high-quality visuals (4K and larger, 70-80 inch screens) and audio (Dolby Atmos or comparable stereo hi-fi) on modern smart TVs has made watching streaming movies at home a more affordable, convenient, and enjoyable experience for many. Consequently, cinemas are now primarily frequented during festive seasons and special occasions.



File Formats

Before the rise of multi-format media players, you often needed to download specific players for different video formats.

  • MOV (QuickTime Movie): Primarily associated with Apple devices and the QuickTime player.
  • WMV (Windows Media Video): Primarily associated with Windows, with limited compatibility on other systems.
  • FLV (Flash Video): An older format used for Flash Player, which was discontinued in late 2020.
  • RMVB (RealMedia Variable Bitrate): Developed by RealNetworks, designed for efficient compression, especially for streaming.

Currently, the two most common video formats encountered online are:

  • MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14)
    • The most widely compatible format, offering a good balance of quality and file size.
    • It has largely replaced 3GP and Flash as the default format for web videos.
    • MP4 files often utilize the H.264 or H.265 codec, which offer a good balance of compression efficiency and video quality, making them suitable for various applications.
  • MKV (Matroska Multimedia Container)
    • An open-source container format that supports a wide variety of codecs and features.
    • It has gained popularity for online movie sharing due to its support for multiple audio and subtitle tracks, and its ability to hold high-quality video.

NOTE: AVI (Audio Video Interleave) offers excellent video and audio quality but typically results in much larger files. It is often used for archiving older video content.



Subtitles

As English is not my native language, I often rely on subtitles to understand dialogue.

  • SRT (SubRip) is the most widely used and supported subtitle format.
  • If the video and SRT file have the same name, most media players will automatically display the subtitles.
  • Minor adjustments to the timing might be necessary for proper synchronization.

NOTE: Some video formats, such as MKV and MP4, enable the selection of different subtitles or soundtracks.



Summary

Video file format is just one factor to consider in terms of video quality.

  • While larger files often indicate higher definition, the source of the video (e.g., TS, WebRip, DVDrip, Blu-ray Rip) and its resolution (e.g., 720p or 1080p) are equally important.
  • Generally, I tend to avoid TS (Telesync) files. These are recorded in a cinema using a high-end camera, often resulting in issues like camera shake, people walking in front of the screen, or audible audience reactions.
  • Other crucial factors include the container format, codec, frame rate, frame size, aspect ratio, and bitrate.



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