What is the best video format to keep home videos in?

Question

When I download videos from my camera or camcorder, I want to keep them in an unique format that will probably be around for a while. A format that will keep the file small without losing much quality. Not a major but if it could be a format that would reproduce in a DVD player even better. I use formatfactory to convert my files and the options it gives me are: MP4, AVI, 3PG, RMVB, WMV, MKV, MPG, VOB, MOV, FLV, SWF.
I've been always skeptical of avi. WMV will definately be around for a while. MP4 and MPG I believe can be reproduced on a DVD player (while MPG apparently keeps file small losing a bit of resolution). I want to know what you suggest me. Thanks.

Answer 1

Don't get complicated. Just Go For MP4

- Good quality

- Good compression

- No quality loss

- Supportive in most players now.

Answer 2

Sorry,i don't think so~~~.

I just feel why not convert it to a dvd format and store into dvd disc.You can watch it anytime.

I know a tool called Aimersoft DVD Creator, which can convert video format to DVD format without losing much quality.

Specifically, it allows you to convert all pop video formats to DVDs format,such as avi,mp4,mpg,mpeg,3gp,wmv,asf,rm,rmvb,dat, mov,flv and even most HD formats like mkv files,flv(Youtube),m2ts,tp and trp.

If you wanna learn more info about it,visit the link-> http://www.dvd-creator.org/dvd-creator/index.html#173

Answer 3

DVDs use .VOB files that will also play on your computer. The format will be around for years because of the huge number of disks and players. I find its easier to play the videos into a hard disk/dvd recorder in that way I can do immediate edit and write to dvd in the correct format so its available straight away. Then keep the raw file on the computer.

Answer 4

Well, they will all be around. Digital formats tend to stay around. It is just that as newer formats come out, they tend to have better compression algorithms, and maintain better quality vs. size.



I am a big fan of Ogg for being open source, and many companies are starting to adopt it. HTML5 standards are even adopting it for direct web video embedding.



The best compression algorithm right now .h264. I would package it in a .mp4. Compact size, very good quality vs. size ratio.



WMV, AVI, MOV, etc are just containers. AVI for example can contain dozens of different compression algorithms. That is why you may need different CODECS for different AVI files.



Avoid SWF and FLV. Flash is proprietary, bulky, and has terrible compression.

Answer 5

You can try 4Easysoft Total Video Converter:

http://www.4easysoft.com/total-video-converter.html



It can convert almost any the video format to another with high output quality.

Like its name,it can help you finish the conversion for ease.

Just take the following steps,you can put your movies and music easily on PSP, PS3, iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, Xbox or other digital devices.

Try now.Hope it will not let you down.

Answer 6

AWhat you are listing is container formats. There is also the codecs which the video and audio are compressed with, which is more important.



AVI is a decently well reverse-engineered format, however it is fairily limited in features. If it meets your needs it isn't bad.



WMV is an extremely poor format as Microsoft is always liable to change it in incompatible ways. Also it uses closed, completely undocumented, codecs for video and audio.



Good container formats are .ogg ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogg )and .mkv (Matroska http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matroska ) Matroska is highly featurful supporting many audio tracks, many types/tracks of subtitles, etc.



Good video codecs are Theora (completely free to implement) and 2nd, H.264. Both widely supported in popular applications.



Good audio formats are Vorbis, (supported in Firefox, widely used in videogames) and then mp3, (widely supported, but low quality) and then AC3. ("Dolby digital", "AAC")





MP4 is: MPEG container, H.264, AAC



MPEG group tries to get protection money out of you if you implement it.

Answer 7

it truthfully relies upon, do you advise format like the entensions? Like as an occasion: Your video.mov or possibly Your Video.avi? while you evaluate that doesnt truthfully remember for a house video, yet once you advise element ratio, %. 3:2, thats what i do

Answer 8

I think avi and wmv. and they also can be converted and burned to dvd for palyable on dvd player.