MOV or AVI

The14thGOD · Post by **The14thGOD** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:19 pm

I sense a debate here hehe.

I was wondering, what is more generally used? I thought it was .mov files, and started using .mov for my video footage (exporting and transfering from computer to computer and program to program). Some dont think this is practical and I was wondering what you guys though.

So far I havn't really had any problems with mov files but tend to get problems with avi clips. Even if the codec is huffyuv.

Of course this might just mean I'm doing something wrong ^_^. It seems switching back and fourth from Final Cut Pro (at school) and Premiere Pro / After Effects(my home computer) works better if the footage is mov. This is like after i get the main edits done, like the footage generally is from a dvd so I use the avs method.

If anyone happens to know pros/cons that would be cool.

Thanks for any input.

The14thGOD

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:19 pm

I believe it depends on your platform.

The impression that I get is that QuickTime is the dominant format on Apples, whereas Video for Windows is most common on IBM-compatibles (including those that run Linux). Could be mistaken.

Shazzy · Post by **Shazzy** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:57 pm

Well, I personally find MOV less problematic for what you're describing... Final Cut to Premiere and back. There are lot more MOVs floating around in the professional video industry than the AMV community in general. Everyone around here uses AVI containers, seems like..

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:18 am

Since the MOV container is more flexible than AVI, and seems more platform independent between PCs and MACs and Premiere and FCP, I'd suggest sticking with MOV.

trythil · Post by **trythil** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 1:43 am

Scintilla wrote:I believe it depends on your platform.

The impression that I get is that QuickTime is the dominant format on Apples, whereas Video for Windows is most common on IBM-compatibles (including those that run Linux). Could be mistaken.

AVIs (there's no "Video for Windows" for anything except, well, Windows) aren't really that common on a Linux box unless you've got video compressed for online distribution in them.

There's a lot of tools built to handle image sequences, and libquicktime support (QuickTime container read/write library) is present in a fair number of video tools.

The14thGOD · Post by **The14thGOD** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:24 am

Another question, so for distributing my AMV's would you suggest the AVI's then? I used to hate the mov format, rather quicktime, but now it seems to be the better, to me and through my experience. I'd assume that quicktime is found on most computers but idk for sure. I'm just wondering so I know what would be best to distribute mine as.

Thanks a ton,

The14thGOD

Keeper of Hellfire · Post by **Keeper of Hellfire** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:36 am

Over 90% of all PC run on a Windows version and can't play MOV-files out of the box. So I guess AVI is the better choice in the moment, but in the near future it will be MP4 with h.264 codec since it's a platform independent standard.

BauziOLD · Post by **BauziOLD** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:37 am

The14thGOD wrote:Another question, so for distributing my AMV's would you suggest the AVI's then? I used to hate the mov format, rather quicktime,

Yes I also really don´t like Quicktime and I have problems with .mov, but it seams that the more the Quicktime player is damaged and he screws a few things. If I can, I simply avoid .mov
I´m not so happy with the format, but I have to say that I didn´t really tried and got my focus on avi and h264

Qyot27 · Post by **Qyot27** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:44 am

Keeper of Hellfire wrote:Over 90% of all PC run on a Windows version and can't play MOV-files out of the box. So I guess AVI is the better choice in the moment, but in the near future it will be MP4 with h.264 codec since it's a platform independent standard.

I don't know how this goes in Europe, but as far as I can remember, Quicktime has always come already installed in the PCs we've bought. It's all up to the vendor, I assume.

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:06 am

For distro, AVI since most people that can watch fansubs should be able to play the video. And the playback guides here do a good job explaining how to play these AVI files.

MP4 is gaining acceptance. And, if I can figure out what exact settings I need to use for a H.264+AAC MP4 that will be compatible with my PS3 directly, I'm all on that format.