Hello ticklers !
Today I would like to discuss about file format with 2 topics :
Do you even like the wmv format ? Some producers still use it, but it has issues :
- Old codec
- Only natively supported on windows (otherwise you need VLC)
- Doesn't play well on phones and tablets (you need VLC too)
- Needs transcoding when you want to stream it
- Yet, the files are good quality overall.
MP4 format is now more used by modern productions :
- Lot of latitude with compression (you can make them heavy and lossless, or lighter but in worst quality)
- A mp4 is almost as small and same quality as a wmv file, with the H264 codec.
- Supports H265 codec, which makes even smaller files but as of now is not widely adopted enough. (video may stutter on old devices, but will probably be the standard in some years)
I guess MP4 had a bad reputation in the 2000's because the codec were crap, but it's been like 10 years and now I don't see why it is still used.
Now about resolution
Simple question :
- Equal price, and you have a choice between 720 P, 1080p or 4K, what do you choose ?
It's understandable that some people prefer smaller files.
but ...
if you collect clips and think you may want to view it again in 10 years when your screens and hard drives are bigger, do you think it's better to take a larger file ?
This question has no wrong answer, I just want to know what you think when you buy a clip.
Today I would like to discuss about file format with 2 topics :
Do you even like the wmv format ? Some producers still use it, but it has issues :
- Old codec
- Only natively supported on windows (otherwise you need VLC)
- Doesn't play well on phones and tablets (you need VLC too)
- Needs transcoding when you want to stream it
- Yet, the files are good quality overall.
MP4 format is now more used by modern productions :
- Lot of latitude with compression (you can make them heavy and lossless, or lighter but in worst quality)
- A mp4 is almost as small and same quality as a wmv file, with the H264 codec.
- Supports H265 codec, which makes even smaller files but as of now is not widely adopted enough. (video may stutter on old devices, but will probably be the standard in some years)
I guess MP4 had a bad reputation in the 2000's because the codec were crap, but it's been like 10 years and now I don't see why it is still used.
Now about resolution
Simple question :
- Equal price, and you have a choice between 720 P, 1080p or 4K, what do you choose ?
It's understandable that some people prefer smaller files.
but ...
if you collect clips and think you may want to view it again in 10 years when your screens and hard drives are bigger, do you think it's better to take a larger file ?
This question has no wrong answer, I just want to know what you think when you buy a clip.
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