5 File Formats and Codecs Free Online FlashCards

What does a media container do?

A container is a file structure that organizes media streams and related information, such as video, audio, subtitles, and metadata.

What is a codec?

A codec is a method for encoding and decoding a media stream; it may compress data to reduce file size.

What can a file extension tell you about a media file?

An extension usually indicates the container, but it does not identify the codecs used for the audio or video inside.

What does an MP4 file containing H.264 and AAC illustrate?

An MP4 container might organize H.264 video and AAC audio, but another MP4 file could contain different streams.

Which image format supports lossless images and transparency?

PNG supports lossless images and transparency.

How does FLAC compression differ from typical MP3 or AAC compression?

MP3 and AAC commonly use lossy compression; FLAC compresses audio without losing the original audio data.

Why can repeated lossy re-encoding reduce media quality?

Repeatedly editing and re-encoding a lossy file can reduce its quality further because lossy compression discards information.

What is metadata, and what is one privacy-sensitive example?

Metadata describes a media file or its contents. It can include technical details, descriptive information, and private details such as location.

Where can media metadata be stored?

Metadata may be embedded in a file or stored separately. For example, MP3 files can contain ID3 tags, and image files can contain EXIF information.

Why might a familiar file extension still fail to play?

Compatibility depends on support for the container, each stream's codec, and sometimes its profile, level, or features, as well as sufficient processing capability.

What should you do first when selecting a media format?

Identify the destination first, then check the requirements of the website, app, device, or editing tool that will receive the file.

What should you verify when testing an exported media file?

Test the exported file in its intended software and confirm that sound, image, subtitles, and important metadata are present.