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Digital video is all around us. Whether it’s a disc, a streaming service, or a file on your computer, every video has a specific format. Understanding common video formats is essential for both those who create video and those who just want to watch video.

Otherwise, you might end up releasing poor quality content or simply not knowing why a certain video isn’t playing for you. In this article, we’ll explain what video formats are and which are the most common ones that everyone should know.

The word "format" when applied to video needs some explanation. In any medium, the format is the standardized form. VHS and Betamax were home video tape formats. Although both used the same basic technology (television signals recorded on magnetic tape), the exact method and design differed between the two.