Changes When Converting from MP4 to Other Video Formats

When converting from MP4 to other video formats, these are the specific changes that occur:

AVI

  • Container format changes (MP4 → AVI container)
  • Often results in larger file sizes
  • May have better compatibility with older software/hardware
  • Can lose some advanced features like chapters
  • Often uses different codecs (typically MJPEG, DivX, or Xvid instead of H.264)

MOV

  • Container format changes (MP4 → QuickTime container)
  • Similar capabilities but different metadata structure
  • Better compatibility with Apple ecosystem
  • May preserve more metadata during editing
  • Often maintains the same video/audio codecs

MKV

  • Container format changes (MP4 → Matroska container)
  • Adds support for multiple subtitle tracks
  • Adds support for more audio tracks
  • Better chapter support
  • Offers more extensive metadata options
  • Can store additional content like fonts and attachments

WMV

  • Both container and codec change (typically to VC-1 codec)
  • Usually decreases quality at similar bitrates
  • Better compatibility with older Windows systems
  • Often increases file size for same quality
  • Limited platform support outside Windows

FLV

  • Container format changes (MP4 → Flash Video container)
  • Often uses different codecs (VP6 or H.263)
  • Typically lower quality
  • Becoming obsolete (Flash discontinued)
  • Smaller file sizes at the expense of quality

WebM

  • Container format changes (MP4 → WebM container)
  • Codec changes to VP8/VP9 from H.264/H.265
  • Open source format (no licensing fees)
  • Better streaming performance in web browsers
  • May offer similar quality at smaller file sizes

MPEG-2

  • Both container and codec change
  • Significantly lower compression efficiency
  • Much larger file sizes for similar quality
  • Better compatibility with DVD authoring
  • Less efficient but widely compatible

H.264

  • This is often the codec already used in MP4
  • If converting from MP4 using a different codec to H.264, quality may improve
  • Changes compression algorithm if original wasn't H.264
  • May allow for different profile settings
  • No container change necessary if staying in MP4

HEVC (H.265)

  • Changes video codec to a newer generation
  • Approximately 50% better compression at same quality
  • Requires more processing power to encode/decode
  • Better handling of 4K+ resolutions
  • May require compatible hardware/software for playback
  • Can remain in MP4 container or use others
Note: MP4 is a container format that typically uses H.264/H.265 codecs. Many of these conversions primarily change the container while sometimes also changing the codec used for video/audio compression.
V

Video

High-quality video content including tutorials, demonstrations, interviews, and project showcases in various formats.

Video File Formats

Each card shows a video sample. Click on a card to watch the video in fullscreen mode or hover to learn more about the format's characteristics.

MP4

MPEG-4 Part 14

MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14)

The most universal video container format today, MP4 combines efficient compression with preserved visual quality. It typically integrates the H.264 codec that allows relatively small file sizes without significantly sacrificing image quality, making it the de facto standard for streaming platforms and digital video sharing.

AVI

Audio Video Interleave

AVI (Audio Video Interleave)

Developed by Microsoft as one of the early digital video formats, AVI synchronizes audio and video data in one container. Although less efficient in compression compared to modern formats, AVI is maintained in professional video production due to its ability to store raw data with high quality.

MOV

QuickTime File Format

MOV (QuickTime File Format)

An exclusive Apple format designed for macOS and iOS ecosystems. MOV supports various multimedia tracks including video, audio, text, and special effects in a single file, making it an ideal choice for creative video production needs.

MKV

Matroska Video

MKV (Matroska Video)

As an open-source container format, MKV offers high flexibility with the ability to store various multimedia elements. This format supports multiple audio tracks, subtitles, and chapters in one file, making it popular for archiving high-quality film and TV series content.

WMV

Windows Media Video

WMV (Windows Media Video)

Specifically designed for optimization on Windows platforms, this format offers impressive compression ratios. WMV maintains adequate visual quality for business streaming needs and multimedia presentations.

FLV

Flash Video Format

FLV (Flash Video Format)

As a pioneer format of the online video era, FLV once dominated Adobe Flash-based web platforms. Although Flash technology is no longer supported, this format played an important role in the evolution of digital video content distribution.

WebM

Web Video Format

WebM

Developed as an open-source alternative for modern web video, WebM optimizes streaming performance via VP8/VP9 codecs. This format has become an important standard for HTML5 video content with efficient and royalty-free compression.

MPEG-2

Motion Picture Experts Group

MPEG-2

As an early generation digital television broadcasting standard, MPEG-2 became the foundation of DVD technology and digital TV broadcasting. This format balances image quality needs with broadcast bandwidth limitations.

H.264

MPEG-4 AVC

H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC)

This video codec revolutionized the industry with its extraordinary compression efficiency. As the backbone of various streaming platforms, H.264 is capable of delivering HD quality with relatively low bitrates.

HEVC

H.265

HEVC (H.265)

Representing the new generation of video codecs, HEVC offers a 50% efficiency improvement over its predecessor (H.264). Its ability to handle ultra HD content (4K/8K) with lower bandwidth makes it the future standard for premium streaming services.

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