What is an MP4 file and why does it play almost everywhere?
An MP4 is a video file format that holds video, audio and extra information in a single file, usually with the .mp4 extension. It is widely supported by phones, computers and browsers, which is why most tools save clips as MP4.
What is inside an MP4?
An MP4 is a container. It packs a video track, an audio track and information such as the length into one file. The video and audio inside are compressed with a codec. A common pairing is H.264 video with AAC audio.
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Why does it play almost everywhere?
MP4 has been supported for a long time by phones, computers, browsers, televisions and editing apps. When you want a clip that works on whatever device the other person has, MP4 is the safe choice.
How does MP4 compare with other formats?
| Format | What it is |
|---|---|
| MP4 | A widely supported container, the usual choice for sharing |
| WebM | A container designed for the web, common in browsers |
| MOV | Apple's QuickTime container, common on Apple devices |
| MKV | A flexible container that can hold many tracks, common for downloads and recordings |
What does VideoTrimming save?
VideoTrimming saves your clip as an MP4. It can read direct links to .mp4, .webm, .mov, .m4v and .mkv files. See trim an MP4 online.
Questions
Is MP4 the same as H.264?
No. MP4 is the container and H.264 is one way the video inside can be compressed.
Does an MP4 always play?
Almost always, but a file can contain a codec a device doesn't support. That is rare for common MP4 files.
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