Converting videos into different formats can be useful for several reasons. However, if you aren’t familiar with video formats, it can be tricky to figure out which is the ‘right’ format to use. If you’re facing that problem, there are a few tips in particular that will help you select the best design for your video:
- Summary show
Figure out the compatibility
As you’re probably aware, different devices and platforms support various video formats, making compatibility one of the most important factors. The design you select must be compatible with the device or platform you want to view the video; otherwise, converting it will be pointless. If you want your video to be viewed on various instruments and media, you should use a widely supported format. Nowadays, the best option for that tends to be MP4 with H.264.
Use the codec with the best compression available.
Depending on the compatibility of various formats, you can select the codec with the best compression available. Newer codecs generally have better compression than older ones, so it shouldn’t be difficult finding the right option. One of the more popular options nowadays is the H.265 codec that can compress H.264 videos to up to 50% of their size without affecting their quality. It isn’t as widely supported as H.264, however.
Decide if you need other features.
The container is the part of your video format that affects the extension, but more importantly, it will also determine the additional features the video can support. For example, some containers support subtitles and captions, 3D videos and codecs, chapters, menus, etc. If you need any other features to be a part of your video, you should consider them and find a container that supports them. The container must still be compatible with the device or platform you’re using to view the video, however – and it needs to support the codec you select.
Generally, these are the three factors you should consider deciding on a video format. Nowadays, some popular options include MP4 with H.264 for distribution or MKV with H.265 for compression. After deciding the design you want to use, you’ll need software to convert your video. While many options are available, you should check to ensure the design you want to use is supported. For example, you could try Movavi Video Converter for Mac, as it supports almost all video formats that you may need. Converting your videos can help you ensure they are compatible, reduce their file sizes, and optimize them for certain devices or platforms. Now that you know how to choose the right format, you shouldn’t have any issues if and when you need to switch your videos’ format.
