Why do you all have to use different formats?

[imphill]

cant you all agree to use just one file type?
.AVI is cool.
.WMA is Windodz <you know me>
.MPEG is alright.
.MKV is fun to use
.Mov whats the point...

If you used AVI or MKV, then it all would alot easier. That way there would be no playback problems cause we could use Windowz smeg player or equalvent.[/b]

[Arigatomina]

MPG is the standard. Anything else requires codecs, filters, or special players. We won't standardize because different people like different codecs. A lot easier for whom? Things are perfectly easy for me since I have the codecs to player just about anything. Those for whom things are not easy can easily click the "how to play those darn vids" guide and read about codecs and players.

Since not everyone uses the same editing program, has the same compression-knowledge, or cares about the same distribution audience, it's every editor for himself. That's why we all use different formats. Not because we 'have to' but because we can and we want to.

/this question annoys me, who said avi was compatible with *any* virgin computer? Computers don't come with divx-player or ffdshow, you know.

[Maverick-Rubik]

Imphill, you do realize that's like saying "why can't everyone just drive the same kind of vehicle?"

They all don't accomplish things the same in the same way, and people know how to use some better than others. The only reason there are so many formats is because people have found ways to encode video differently, although not comparably better than the others, but maybe better in certain situations. I mean, you've got your cars, your bikes, your trucks, your limos, etc. ...

[imphill]

this is me getting grilled,
im sorry i asked.

[RolltheStampede]

Point is if we all used avi like you are suggesting and want it to play on a virgin machine with no compression the file size would be like 40gb for 5 minutes or so. mpeg or mpeg to would most likely be universally accepted because most pcs at least can play them without any other decompressors. Im not sure how that works with macs i believe the standard for macs are mov. And i believe when people using windows movie maker export there video it exports to wmv. which is not a bad codec, but frowned upon in the community for having bad quality even though that is a result of the original footage not the codec.

[doughboy]

cant you all agree to use just one file type?

You make it sound like this place is a unified corporation with weekly board meetings. The guides push people to use Xvid, that's the most influence this place can have.

[Vancore]

this is me getting grilled,
im sorry i asked.

I thought that was you running around in a box.

But seriously, we can't all agree on one file format because nothing out there is perfect. Especially in software, everything has its good and bad points. I think I saw them listed in one of the Guides if you want to check out how different.

[arzuro]

It would be feckin easy to agree on one kind of vehicle for each possible use. There is THE best car, THE best truck and THE best convertible. It just won't work because people are mostly jerks.

[arzuro]

Just look at it from a historical standpoint. Look at videos. VHS was vastly inferiour to Betamax, but Betamax had a dorky name so obviously VHS made the race. Check out those sweet acronyms. IYDYAFWSGTHAGSCIWBSAS, Baby.

[arzuro]

Another obvious and commonly known example: mp3 is the worst available format to store music in, even using compression. Other formats will offer better compression AND better quality. It's just how things go.