Are you trying to figure out the right format to use when encoding your business videos? Considering there are so many different formats out there that may seem difficult, and you may not know which format is ‘best’.
The fact of the matter is that the ‘best’ format to use for your business videos will vary – mostly based on how you want to use the videos in question:
● Videos for distribution and to be watched on various devices
If you’re going to be distributing your business videos and want them to be watched on various devices and platforms without any difficulty – compatibility should be your main goal. In short you will want to use a format that is as widely supported as possible.
Typically the ‘best’ format for compatibility nowadays is MP4 with H.264. Most devices and platforms support it, except perhaps older DVD players.
● Videos to be uploaded to online platforms
In many cases you’ll want to upload your videos to online platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and so on. Although most platforms support multiple video formats, you should try to use the recommended format and video settings if possible.
If you don’t use the recommended format the platform is likely to transcode your video to it anyway – which could affect its quality. Generally the recommended format tends to be MP4 with H.264, but other details may vary and you can compare YouTube’s recommendations with the Facebook Ads guide as an example.
● Videos for purposes with file size limitations
Sometimes you may need to use your videos on platforms or devices that have file size limitations. For example email attachments tend to have a strict file size limitation, and mobile devices have limited storage space.
If your goal is to reduce the file size, you will need to find ways to compress the video. The best way to compress a video and maintain its quality is to use a newer codec with better compression rates (e.g. H.265) – but compatibility may become an issue.
Another option is to reduce the bitrate, but that may affect the video quality. In short you will have to strike a balance in terms of the format that you use and compatibility, as well as the bitrate and quality.
Starting to see how you can find the ‘right’ format for your business videos? It should be noted that after you encode your video you can convert it between formats as well, but it is best to avoid converting the same video over and over again. All that you need is a converter, and for example you could use Movavi Video Converter and follow the steps at http://www.movavi.com/support/how-to/how-to-convert-avi-video.html.
By selecting the ‘best’ format for your business videos, you should be able to ensure that they fulfill their goal easily and without any problems. Always remember that new formats are being constantly released, and will likely supplant some of the ‘best’ formats in time as they become more widely supported.
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