video file format

A video file format is a standard for encoding digital video, audio and some auxiliary information into a file. In contrast to audio and image formats, most video file formats allow a variety of codecs, both audio and video, to be used. Auxiliary information often includes:

data required for correct synchronization between audio and video
subtitles

Popular video file formats and codecs that can be used with them are (some of them can be also used with only audio):

all MPEG-4 (DivX, XviD, FFmpeg, etc..) through hacks of file format
Indeo
Cinepak
Windows Media

Matroska

all AVI, no hacks
RealVideo

all AVI, no hacks

Windows Media

Windows Media

MPEG-1 and MPEG-2
MP4 (MPEG4)

only MPEG-4 content

QuickTime (MOV)

RealMedia (RM)

RealVideo

Professional video file formats:

Video File Format

See also