As Creators to properly communicate a message, we need to speak many languages. We have to understand the brands' voice, use the right words for the SEO and be able to decipher the codes of every aspect of the content creation.
Working with video editors comes with concepts that are not common to the average person; one of these terms is the codec. As a client, you want to know what to ask for.
What is it?
Used to describe a computer program, the codec is responsible for compressing media. If you have seen any type of video in the last minutes, know that a codec was the one to encode the data into a format that allows it to be stored or streamed.
The most popular codec is the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group). It makes a high-quality video with small file sizes. The software compresses any digital file so it takes up less space on your devices.
What about video file formats?
Knowing about them will help you communicate better with the editing team. They export the video in the format needed for the distribution of your video marketing content.
- MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14)
Being the most common type, it can store video and audio and other data like subtitles and still images. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram use this file format for their videos.
- MOV (QuickTime Movie)
These files use Apple’s proprietary compression algorithm. It can store high-quality video, audio, and effects but makes large-sized files.
- WMV (Windows Media Viewer)
Developed by Microsoft for the Windows Media Player, this format file is similar to MOV. YouTube supports WMV, but the average user would have to download Windows Media Player on their devices.
- AVI (Audio Video Interleave)
This one offers the highest quality and is supported by YouTube, Windows, Mac, and Linux browsers. The downside is the large file sizes.
- WEBM or HTML5
If you want to embed videos on your website, you should probably go for these formats. With smaller file sizes, this format loads quickly for a better stream.
Why should anyone learn this?
Have you ever opened a media message only for it not to be able to play on your phone or computer? Imagine as a marketer if the same happens with your video content. If you want to be able to share video files, you better learn to ask for what format you need.
As a marketing tool, understanding the video editing process gives you leverage in the strategy. If you want the highest quality for your video marketing content, use the appropriate codec and file format.
Codecs and file formats play a big part in the production and distribution of digital content. Grasping technical knowledge is constructive to the marketing strategy, resulting in a more pleasant visual experience for your audience.