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What does a video file format mean ?

What are the common files format ?

How to play each video format ? 

What is the best video format I can use ?

What does a video file format mean ?

Each file in the operating system has a specific structure to save date within. The most common part of the file format is the header in which the file type is defined. One other point to define the file format is the file extension for example a .txt file says that this is a text file. Another example is .mp3 lets you know that this is an Audio file either songs or speech etc ... a Final example here is .mpg which allow us to know that this is a video file. There are several video file formats

What are the common files format ?

There are many video files formats we'll show here the most common video file formats:

  3gp : 3GPP Multimedia File
  asf  : Advanced Systems Format File
  asx : Microsoft ASF Redirector File
  avi  : Audio Video Interleave File
  dat : VCD Video File
 divx : DivX-Encoded Movie File
   flc : FLIC Animation
   flv : Flash Video File
 mkv : Matroska Video File
 mov : Apple QuickTime Movie
 mp4 : MPEG-4 Video File QuickTime Movie
 mpg : MPEG Video File
 rmvb : RealMedia Variable Bit Rate File
 smk : Smacker Compressed Movie File
  swf : Flash Movie 
  vivo : VivoActive Video File 
  vob : DVD Video Object File
wmv : windows Media Video File 
 xvid : Xvid-Encoded Video File 

You may check other video types under the following link :

http://www.fileinfo.com/filetypes/video 

This link almost collect all video file types used with its popularity. By clicking each file type you will have more details about the video file details. 

How to play each video format ?

The .3gp video format is commonly within Nokia phones and you can play it using the nokia phone players as well as other players but It requires the codec to be installed.

The asf a high compression video quality decrease the video size but doesn't show a good quality video.

The .avi video files is one of the must common video files in the whole IT systems. It can be displayed using normal windows media player however some newer versions requires codec presence.

The .dat file format is commonly used in the Video CDs. It can be displayed by the native windows media player without installing any codec. Most of the users confuse between .dat  data files and video files you can differentiate between two types by checking the video file size. The video file size is always bigger than the normal data files. To open it right click and choose open with and then choose your preferred media player.

The .divx and .xvid file types are two common video file types that provide DVD video quality with high compression. This means a good space saving.

The .flc file type was formerly used to save 3D renders specially in older 3d Studio earlier versions. To play these types of videos search for flc player. There was many players under DOS to play those files.

The .flv file format is always used to stream videos on the internet, high compression provides smaller size with faster file access. For example all normal files saved on youtube are saved with .flv extension

The .mkv and .mp4 are commonly used to high definition videos. The high definition video provides a better clear picture with higher resolution.

 The .mov  file type is a very common video file can be used for streaming purpose as well as normal use. It can be played mainly by Apple Quicktime Player .

The .mpg is one of the most common video file types used widely. It can be played with windows media player version 9 and higher easily. Some older versions requires codecs.

The .rmvb is a very compact video file invented by Real Media. It can be played by Real Networks RealPlayer. It is a newer version of .rm older  files.

The .smk file format was used formerly in older video games. If you have older Need for Speed for example check the video displayed within the game you will find this version of video files.

The .swf movies files are used widely on the internet. It required Adobe Flash Player to be installed on your machine to be able to display those types of videos.

The .vivo files types are older video file types used before. I don't think they're used anymore. To play these types of videos search for vivo player. An old application used to play those types of videos.

The .vob are parts of today's DVD Discs. Can be played within the Microsoft Media Player. ( Check this video below to see how to play DVD disc from withing Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 )

The .wmv  a common used video file type. Provide higher compression and used sometimes in streaming. It has the feature to be protected for paid video services.

The best way to play all videos without any trouble is to install the Codec package from the following link : http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm

You can check more details on the following link :

http://www.fileinfo.com/filetypes/video 

What is the best video format I can use ?

This depends on what are your needs. You need to save more space so for example you can use .wmv, otherwise if you need better quality you can use .avi may be for lossless video quality. If you need better space and picture you can use .mp4. Finally, you have to watch each video type by yourself then decide what is the best for you.