Video formats can be confusing, especially when you hear terms like "codec" and "container." This guide will help you understand the basics and choose the right format for your needs.
Containers vs Codecs
Before diving into specific formats, it's important to understand the difference between containers and codecs:
- Container: The file format (like MP4 or WebM) that holds video, audio, and metadata
- Codec: The algorithm used to compress and decompress the video/audio data
Think of it this way: A container is like a shipping box, while the codec is how you've packed the contents inside. The same box can hold items packed different ways, and the same packing method can go into different boxes.
MP4 Format
MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is the most widely used video container format. It typically uses:
- Video codec: H.264 (most common) or H.265/HEVC
- Audio codec: AAC
MP4 Advantages
- Universal compatibility with devices and software
- Excellent quality-to-size ratio
- Supported by all major platforms
- Hardware acceleration on most devices
WebM Format
WebM is an open-source format developed by Google, optimized for web use:
- Video codec: VP8, VP9, or AV1
- Audio codec: Vorbis or Opus
WebM Advantages
- Open-source and royalty-free
- Excellent compression with VP9/AV1
- Native HTML5 video support
- Great for web streaming
Which Should You Use?
- Maximum compatibility: Choose MP4
- Web-focused projects: WebM offers better compression
- Mobile apps: MP4 with H.264
- Future-proofing: Consider AV1 in WebM
Industry insight: While MP4/H.264 dominates today, the AV1 codec is gaining momentum rapidly. Major streaming platforms are increasingly adopting it for its superior compression efficiency—delivering the same quality at roughly 30% smaller file sizes.
Converting Video Formats
Need to convert between video formats? Konverter's browser-based converter handles it all privately on your device. Try our MP4 to WebM or WebM to MP4 converters.