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Video File Formats and Containers
A file extension like .mp4 or .mkv names a container, not the video itself. Learn what MP4, MKV, MOV and WebM hold and how to choose between them.
Streaming Technology
Formats and Standards
Containers, color, frame rates and display standards.
Aspect Ratios from 16:9 to Vertical
How screen shapes moved from 4:3 to 16:9 and then to vertical 9:16, plus practical ways to deliver several aspect ratios from a single video project.
Audio Formats and Surround Sound for Video
How stereo, 5.1 surround and object-based spatial audio differ, which audio formats video commonly uses, and how streaming services deliver them to varied devices.
Color Spaces and Bit Depth
How color spaces such as Rec.709 and Rec.2020 and bit depth of 8 or 10 bits shape color accuracy, banding and the range of shades a video can show.
Frame Rates in Video
How 24, 30 and 60 frames per second change motion, mood and file size, why slow motion needs a higher capture rate, and how to pick a rate for your project.
HDR Video Explained
How HDR video widens brightness and color range compared with SDR, what formats like HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision are, and what displays you need to see it.
Interlaced vs Progressive Video
Why broadcast television used interlaced scanning, how it differs from progressive scan, what causes combing artifacts, and why most modern video is progressive.
Metadata and Chapters in Video Files
What metadata is stored inside video files, from titles and chapters to timecode, subtitles and camera data, plus privacy tips and how platforms use it.
Resolution Explained from SD to 4K
What video resolution means, how pixel counts compare from SD to 720p, 1080p and 4K, and how much extra detail viewers actually notice at normal distances.
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