Unlike digital cameras, which record images in a single file format (the JPEG), digital camcorders record video in a number of different file formats. Understanding these various formats is important because they impact how easy the video is to work with on a computer, how large the files will be and the quality of the video they record.
Each video file will differ purely on the basis of which codec is used. Hence, no matter two MP4 files or two AVI files can either be similar if they are utilizing the same codec, or they can be categorically different, if they are using different codecs. More video formats comparison.
Popular Camcorder Video Formats
There are numerous video file formats and even camcorders that use the same one may not implement it the same way. For the most part, you'd only have to worry about your camcorder file format if you wanted to perform editing on your video or burn a DVD. Fortunately, the software that is packaged with your camcorder is designed to read and do some very basic functions with your video. However, if you want to perform more sophisticated edits, file compatibility becomes an issue. If your computer can't display your camcorder video, chances are the video is in a file format your software cannot read.
DV & HDV
The DV format was designed to store digital video onto magnetic tape. HDV refers to the high definition version of the DV format. DV and HDV files are very memory intensive but produce very high-quality video. Given the drop in tape-based camcorder sales, fewer consumers need to worry about DV and HDV, but it does remain popular among enthusiasts.
MPEG-2
Many standard definition camcorders record in MPEG-2. It's also used in high definition camcorders, although not as often. It's a very high-quality digital format, the same used in the DVD movies produced by Hollywood studios. That gives MPEG-2 based camcorders a nice advantage over other formats: the video is easily burned to a DVD and most computer media players (like Apple QuickTime and Windows Media Player) support MPEG-2 playback.
MPEG-2 is more commonly found in traditional camcorders that are pricier and higher quality than pocket camcorder models. This is, in part, because MPEG-2 video files are larger in size than other formats and thus not as easy to upload to the Web or send in an email. If you're more interested in viewing high quality, standard definition camcorder footage on a TV, an MPEG-2-based model is a fine choice.
MPEG-4/H.264
Found on most pocket camcorders like the Flip and in many higher-end HD camcorders, MPEG-4/H.264 is actually a very broad family of different formats supporting both standard and high definition video recording. There are several virtues to H.264: it can record very high-quality video yet compress it in such a way so as not to consume too much memory. Camcorder makers use the H.264 if they want to offer a 'Web-friendly' video product.
AVCHD
A variant of the H.264 format, this is a high definition video file format found on most Canon, Sony, and Panasonic HD camcorders (other manufacturers support it as well). AVCHD camcorders can capture very high-quality video and they can also burn HD video to a standard DVD disc, which can be played back on a Blu-ray disc player.
How Do You Know What Format a Camcorder Has?
Since this is a fairly technical element in your camcorder, it's typically not advertised all that prominently. Nevertheless, all camcorders will indicate what format they use in the official specifications. If you already own a camcorder and are curious about what type of format it has, check the manual.
Today, there are different kinds of video file format supported across various video platforms. The choice of a video file format totally depends upon the user requirement and the type of file he/she is working with.
MOV and MP4are the two most commonly used video file format. They both use the lossy video compression approach to hold the videos. This method makes the video much lighter in size as it eliminates the portion of the video that are less significant. In addition, it maintains a minimum quality loss after the video has been compressed.
Which File Format is the Best? MOV or MP4?
About MOV
MOV is a popular video format file originally developed by Apple. It was intended to support its QuickTime movie player and often used to save videos, movies, etc. It uses an advanced algorithm especially developed by Apple and is compatible across different versions of Mac and Windows operating systems.It uses the concept of tracks to store data. A track, which stores a particular type of data, is stored in a multimedia container file. There are many such tracks present in the container. There are different tracks meant for holding different types of data like text, audio, video, etc. Such tracks maintain a hierarchy consisting of atoms as an object. In addition, it uses a specific format to contain a digitally encoded media stream. If the digitally encoded media stream is present in some other file, it makes a data reference to the media stream. There are various advantages associated with MOV format, which makes it much more popular and usable format for videos. However, it has some proprietary issues.
On the basis of the standard used by MOV format, MP4 file format was later developed. There were only minor modifications that too while data tagging information. Later, it was used as an industry standard. Because of their almost identical nature, the MPEG-4 format can be used by both the MOV and MP4 container formats. In spite of the fact that MOV was intended for QuickTime player and MP4 uses the same lossy compression standards, they are mostly interchangeable in a QuickTime-only environment. A file in MOV format can be easily converted into MP4 and vice-versa without changing the video encoding. This is very much possible in case of Apple environment. If you are working in an environment other than Apple, you might face some complexities.
About MP4
MP4 being an industry standard has a larger support for operating systems other than Apple. There are various media players, which support this format in different operating systems. In addition, they are widely supported across various handheld devices like video players and gaming devices. In addition, it has a larger range of support for hardware devices like Sony PSP and various DVD players. On the software side, it includes most DirectShow / Video for Windows codec packs. On the basis of MPEG-4 file format, the QuickTime (MOV) file format was approved by the International Organization for Standardization. In the year 2001, QuickTime format specification was published. On the basis of QuickTime format specification, the MPEG-4 file format specification was created.
Later in the year 2001, the MPEG-4 specifications were revised on the basis of the specification published in 1999 and published the MP4 (.mp4) file format. With the advancement in technology and the requirements, it was in the year 2003 when the first version of MP4 format was revised. It was replaced by MPEG-4 Part 14. MP4 can be used as a base of other multimedia files like 3GP, Motion JPEG 2000, etc.
You can check the MP4RA website, which is the official registration authority website and contains all the registered extensions for ISO Base Media File Format.
So Which Video Format to Go For?
Both MOV and MP4 do not have any real effect on the encoded video qualities. They just act like containers. The choice between MOV and MP4 is simple, provided you know the area of application. Based on the place where you need to play the resulting videos, you can choose between MOV and MP4 Or convert one into another absolutely free.
Ideally, if you are using Mac, MOV is quite safe and efficient
- They are considered very high-quality file format for storing and sharing digital information.
- Many free media players like QuickTime player, Windows media player, and Real Player support MOV files.
- They combine multiple audio and video files independently.
- Can be used in professional applications by isolating the elements while editing or during playback.
- The size of the MOV files differs depending upon the length and compression technique used.
- Usually, MOV files are of high quality and their size exceeds than many other multimedia formats.
- If you are unable to run your MOV video files it might be possible that your video has been corrupt, in that case MOV video repair is an easy process. You can repair your corrupt .mov videos using any professional MOV video repair tool.
However, in case of any non-Apple devices, MP4 proves to be a much better option
- It supports multiple bits of data.
- They are compatible with a low bandwidth, by making them transmit on a narrow bandwidth.
- Supported across various devices and programs including Apple QuickTime 6 and any later edition.
- The MP4 format was intended to store MPEG-4 format and hence required less overhead as compared to other formats.
- MP4 enhances the high-resolution content by making use of the latest codec H264.
- It provides great flexibility in how data is stored in files.
- It uses advanced video coding (AVC) technology and Appleās advanced audio coding (AAC) to improve old audio container format.
- MP4 video output is of very high quality as compared to DVD.
- MP4 video files also prone to corruption & you can also fix your corrupt or inaccessible videos using a good video repair software.
Conclusion:
Both MOV and MP4 are the best video file formats used by millions of people around the globe & choosing best among them is a very hard decision. As described above one can choose either file format according to the operating system they are using or the video player they are using to play those videos. If you are still not happy with the video formats you are using you can easily convert it to any of your choice video formats free of cost.