Containers/Wrappers and Codecs

Containers/Wrappers, & Codecs

Wrappers/Containers are the File Format... such as .mov .mp4 .avi

Codecs are the way in which a file is encoded/decoded:

Codecs can be Lossy or Lossless:

Lossless codecs compresses data without loss of quality and Lossy codecs are the opposite:

Lossy Compression can be Interframe or Intraframe. (See blog on Interframe and Intraframe) 

Intraframe examples are Apple ProRes (HQ) or Avid DNxHD these are good for shooting and editing

Interframe compreion H.264 is interframe compression only good for distribution because of small file size. 

*Avoid shooting in H.264 but if unavoidable convert to intraframe file codec for editing.