Comments on: Digital Video File Formats Explained

By: Internet Video Gal

Internet Video Gal — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:08:57 +0000

Hi Meg.
Great questions!
A file you use for editing should always be as crisp, clean and high-res as possible. So if it is practical use .mov files that have not been compressed, or at least not compressed much. Apple compressor software does just about anything you would want. Compression alone does not change the type of video file it is. All file types can be compressed.
I hope this helps!
Lorraine

By: meg

meg — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:55:57 +0000

Lorraine,

Is the .mov file in its present form optimal for editing with FCP, or would you recommend compressing it first? If so, is there a software that does it best or does the Apple Compressor software suffice? Would compressing it change the type of video file that it is?

Thanks
Meg

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:54:27 +0000

Lorraine,

You’ve got some great stuff here!

What’s that old saying, “video killed the radio star!”

Keep up the good work!

Robert

By: Kumara

Kumara — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:16:48 +0000

This overview of the various video formats provides beginners with a useful platform to explore these formats further, so that they could appreciate them and learn when to use what format.

Great comprehensive article.

By: Internet Video Gal

Internet Video Gal — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:34:19 +0000

Hi Stephan.
Yes, the very nature of container formats do make it seem more confusing. Seems like most people call mpeg and other container formats a format. avi is the same.

By: Stephan

Stephan — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:40:45 +0000

Thanks for your explanation, but just to confuse everyone… MPEG is not a video format instead the container which holds it…

By: Internet Video Gal

Internet Video Gal — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:00:18 +0000

Hi Don.

Good question! I would say a lot depends on your budget and whether you need the flexibility a better camera will get you. Often the true advantages of having a more expensive camera are that you as the camera operator have more control and options. An inexperienced camera operator might not even know how to take advantages of these options, so it would kind of be a waste. More expensive cameras also give you more options for audio recording. Cheap cameras usually do not have any way to plug in a supplemental microphone which is very important for quality audio.
The actual picture quality on inexpensive cameras can be pretty good, some even on par with the high dollar cameras. Especially if you make sure and light your shots well, the actual picture quality of a cheap camera can be very good.
Renting an expensive camera might be a better option than buying. It just depends on your budget and future needs.
I hope this helps you!
Thanks
Lorraine