Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

A Simple Guide to Formats and Codecs

09/04/2020

ORLANDO, Fla.- All I need is a QuickTime file. How many times have you heard this from a client? Unfortunately, that's not enough information. Here are the reasons why.

Digital files consist of format wrappers, data, and metadata. A format wrapper defines the type of file it is, as identified by the file extension, like .mpeg, .mov, .mp4, .mxf, etc. Think of a wrapper like a videocassette tape. It earmarks which player application should be compatible with that file, just like a VHS cassette told you that a VHS player was required. The data is the audio/video content contained within that format wrapper. The metadata is information about that data, such as date/time stamps, color profiles, and more.

UNDERSTANDING THEM

Audio and video signals are encoded into digital files using codecs-shorthand for compression/decompression. Most video files use data compression, whereas the audio signal in professional formats is typically uncompressed. On the other hand, consumer audio formats such as .mp3 and .m4a use a highly compressed codec. While we tend to associate certain codecs together with specific formats, like ProRes and .mov, they are not synonymous. For example, files can be encoded with the ProRes codec and stored in .mxf wrappers.

Video compression is defined as either lossy or visually lossless. This is determined by the codec type, data rate used to encode the file, frame rate, and frame size. File sizes will be smaller when a lossy method is used. But, they will display compression artifacts visible to the eye, because so much signal information is thrown away. Streaming services like Netflix and YouTube use lossy methods to get the signal to your home over the internet. Visually lossless codecs, like high bit-rate versions of the Avid DNx or the Apple ProRes family of codecs, are used in camera acquisition and post production. These codecs employ a high data rate for compression and will have significantly larger file sizes. However, compression artifacts are generally indiscernible to the eye compared to uncompressed video.

The vast majority of codecs used in production and post today are the proprietary intellectual property of companies or associations. They are not open source or open standard, even though their use may be ubiquitous. The use of a codec, especially to encode data to that codec, requires a licensing agreement. Typically, this is transparent and appears to be free to the user, but rest assured that an arrangement between companies has been made. As with all intellectual property, this can result in a codec no longer being available within an application if such an arrangement has ended between companies.

LIBRARY COMPONENTS AND THE 64-BIT TRANSITIONWhen a video file is played by an application, its data is decoded on-the-fly and displayed as RGB pixels to your screen or a viewer within the interface. This requires a set of installed library components that the application draws upon in order to read, decode, and display the video data. These components may be part of the computer's operating system or they are custom-installed components that only function for that one application.

Over time, Apple and Microsoft have dropped or deprecated support for older codecs within their own operating systems. For example, Apple's Catalina is a 64-bit operating system, with no support for 32-bit applications and library components. This means that certain codecs - including many still in active use, like DNxHD/HR-can no longer be decoded (played) through any application that depends on the 32-bit QuickTime framework used in previous versions of macOS. This is not an issue of the codec itself, but rather the library components used.

In order for such files to work within Catalina, Apple or the application developer has to write new 64-bit library components to play such files going forward. In the case of DNx, Avid and Adobe can read and write these files in the .mxf format, but Apple's own applications, like Final Cut Pro X or QuickTime Player, are not able to do the same. Expect that to be updated later this year.

WHY CAN'T I WRITE CAMERA RAW FILES IN POST?Digital video cameras convert raw sensor data into RGB pixel information and record that to a digital file using a defined codec and format. Processing is done in the camera to bake in the conversion of the Bayer pattern sensor data to RGB, along with its native ISO and a color profile. These files are then easily played by most professional editing and player applications.

Ever since the launch of RED Digital Cinema's RED One camera, compressed raw codecs have grown in popularity. When you record a camera raw signal, the conversion/processing step to RGB is skipped, thus enabling access to more latitude for color correction in post. It also generates higher quality images for an equivalent data rate and file size. The trade-off is that camera raw files tax the hardware systems used in post. That's because the conversions that would have been done in the camera are now performed in real-time by the computer.

Raw codecs store information generated by a camera's sensor and are only intended for image acquisition. You cannot write or re-encode camera raw files in post, because there is no sensor data available. Camera raw codecs are also proprietary to individual companies, including RED, ARRI, Apple, Blackmagic Design, and others. For now, there is no video equivalent to CinemaDNG, a photographic raw format developed by Adobe and then offered up as an open standard to the community. Although it could be argued that GoPro's CineForm RAW codec is a comparable solution for video.

The video from non-raw codecs can be adjusted through color correction, but you aren't actually altering the underlying color processing of the file itself. You are skewing the RGB information that
LINK: https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/a-simple-guide-to-formats-and-codecs...
See more stories from tvtechnology

Most recent headlines

06/10/2025

France Tlvisions Wins Prestigious 2025 EBU Technology & Innovation Award in Groundbreaking Collaboration with Dalet

France T l visions, France's leading broadcaster, has received the 2025 EBU ...

04/09/2025

Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Dalet Win Prestigious 2025 NAB Show Project of the Year Award

Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...

08/07/2025

Carr Applauds Restoration of FCC Auction Authority

WASHINGTON Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr is applauding the passage of President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill and provision...

08/07/2025

Channel 7 Sydney Chooses RTS and Magna Systems for ST-2110 Upgrade

SYDNEY RTS has announced that Channel 7 Sydney has deployed a new comms system from RTS as part of a larger ST-2110 upgrade....

08/07/2025

Gray Media and Scripps Agree to Swap TV Stations

ATLANTA & CINCINNATI Gray Media, Inc. and The E.W. Scripps Company have entered into agreements to swap television stations across five mid-sized and small mark...

07/07/2025

SBS Farewells Chair George Savvides AM

SBS Farewells Chair George Savvides AM 7 July, 2025 Media releases Born of Greek Cypriot parents, Mr Savvides joined the SBS Board as Deputy Chair in Febru...

07/07/2025

Staying Ahead of the Threat - Everywhere, Any Time

Advanced vision solutions deliver more than reliable night vision for tactical-edge warfighters. Today's technological advances can provide the capability f...

07/07/2025

Sinclair Names Narinder Sahai EVP and Chief Financial Officer

BALTIMORE Sinclair has named Narinder Sahai its executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective immediately....

07/07/2025

Riedel Communications Launches RefSuite Ecosystem for Spo...

Riedel Communications today announced the launch of RefSuite, a powerful new Managed Technology solution tailored to professional sports workflows. RefSuite com...

07/07/2025

Skandha Media Services expands MENA presence with new off...

Regional base will foster client engagement, partner collaboration, and executive touchpoints Skandha Media Services, a leading provider of cloud-native media ...

07/07/2025

ASG-Produced Video Wins Gold Telly Award

Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media creatives and content owners, announced its Against All Odds - ASG Builds Cutti...

07/07/2025

Skandha Media Services announces collaboration with Warne...

Agreement secured on the strength of Skandha's proven track record in delivering reliable managed services across the full content life cycle for existing h...

07/07/2025

1-2 Punch: The Cloud, Generative AI, and the Future of Sports-Content Distribution

1-2 Punch: The Cloud, Generative AI, and the Future of Sports-Content Distributi...

07/07/2025

Formula E: Host Broadcaster Aurora on Launching New AR Graphics at the Jakarta E-Prix

Tests and decisions: Formula E host broadcaster Aurora on launching new AR graph...

07/07/2025

Formula E: Using New AR Graphics for Storytelling at the Formula E Penultimate, Final E-Prix of the Season

Building tension: Using new AR graphics for storytelling at the Formula E penult...

07/07/2025

SVG Rewind: Four NFL Clubs Bring Us on Set of Respective Media Day Shoots

SVG Rewind: Four NFL Clubs Bring Us on Set of Respective Media Day Shoots An in-depth conversation with 49ers Laura Johnson, Ravens Jay O'Brien, Las Vegas R...

07/07/2025

Cosm To Build Fifth Shared Reality Venue in Cleveland as Part of Bedrock's Rock Block' Development

Cosm To Build Fifth Shared Reality Venue in Cleveland as Part of Bedrock's ...

07/07/2025

'She Walks in Darkness', Agustn Daz Yanes' New Film, Premieres on Netflix on October 17

Back to All News She Walks in Darkness, Agust n D az Yanes New Film, Premieres ...

07/07/2025

2025-07-07

CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA As Apple Music marks its 10th anniversary this year, Apple unveils its most ambitious creative project to date: a brand-new state-of-the...

07/07/2025

RT Announces Mark Bignell as new Commissioning Editor for Comedy

RT has announced that Mark Bignell has been appointed Commissioning Editor for Comedy following a public competition. This senior editorial position will drive...

05/07/2025

'Superestar,' the Story of a Star Who Never Changed. Premiering July 18

Back to All News Superestar, the Story of a Star Who Never Changed. Premiering July 18 Entertainment 05 July 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to clipboard Dis...

04/07/2025

Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Tadashi Nakamura, the Filmmaker Behind Third Act

By Lucy Spicer Editor's note: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Robe...

04/07/2025

Spotify Partners With The Reading Agency to Bring the Summer Reading Challenge to Life Through Audio

The Summer Reading Challenge has inspired children across the U.K. to embrace a ...

04/07/2025

Introducing CVP Auctions: Trusted Tech, At Auction-Only Prices

Introducing CVP Auctions: Trusted Tech, At Auction-Only Prices Brie Clayton July 4, 2025 0 Comments A New Destination for Film and Broadcast Gear at U...

04/07/2025

Unveiling China's Ecological Wonders with URSA Mini Pro 12K

Unveiling China's Ecological Wonders with URSA Mini Pro 12K Brie Clayton July 4, 2025 0 Comments Nature Documentaries Freeze Epic Momentsin Extrem...

04/07/2025

Create Any Planet in After Effects

Create Any Planet in After Effects Graham Quince July 4, 2025 0 Comments The Advanced 3D renderer in After Effects makes it really easy to import 3D o...

04/07/2025

Custom Gradient Colorize for Resolve Fusion

Custom Gradient Colorize for Resolve Fusion Simon Ubsdell July 4, 2025 0 Comments Digging into the theory of the gradient colorize process to build ou...

04/07/2025

NESN Gives Red Sox-Reds Matchup a Retro Makeover

Watching live sports on TV these days is a delicate balance for broadcasters how much information is too much?...

04/07/2025

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for July Open Meeting

WASHINGTON As Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr works to achieve his goal of a very busy, productive summer at the FCC, the agency has rele...

04/07/2025

Other World Computing Launches OWC Guardian USB-C Hardware-Encrypted Portable SSD

Other World Computing Launches OWC Guardian USB-C Hardware-Encrypted Portable SS...

04/07/2025

CANAL+ Brings MotoGP to Vision Pro with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive

CANAL Brings MotoGP to Vision Pro with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive Brie Clayton July 3, 2025 0 Comments Experience MotoGP like never before as CA...

04/07/2025

Official trailer revealed for new season of BAFTA-winning Sky Original comedy Mr Bigstuff, coming 24 July

Friday 4 July 2025 Watch the trailer here https://youtu.be/Od5WpvWmDr8 Further...

04/07/2025

Join RT Radio 1 for The Pitch, a new series exploring the heart of Ireland's GAA Clubs

The Pitch comes to RT Radio 1 airwaves this Sunday at 7pm. The Pitch is a brand...

03/07/2025

Introducing: New Carts

For our Vario-Jib, as well as for a repertoire of weights, we now have carts that make transport easier...

03/07/2025

Introducing: Slider Drive Unit

One of our latest innovations: Slider Drive Unit! Our Vario Slider not only comes with improvements and new features, but also with its own drive unit! Our i...

03/07/2025

Introducing: ARRI EVO 360

The 360 EVO lives up to its name: 360-degree rotation not only on the pan axis, but also on the roll axis, enables filmmakers to take their creative visions eve...

03/07/2025

Panther at BSC EXPO 2025

What a buzzing few days at BSCExpo in London! We were thrilled to connect with so many talented professionals from the world of cinematography. A huge thank ...

03/07/2025

"The whole rig had to be detachable mid-episode

ADOLESCENCE - Shot with Panther Tower"The whole rig had to be detachable mid-episode Netflix limited drama series Adolescence has been gaining attentio...

03/07/2025

Advanced Communication Systems Unleash a Tactical Advantage in Modern Combat Operations

To achieve a true level of decisive overmatch, communication systems must be as ...

03/07/2025

Paramount's Ray Hopkins Joins Broadcasters Foundation Board

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has named Ray Hopkins, president of U.S. distribution at Paramount Global, to its board of directors....

03/07/2025

FCC Chair Carr Lays Out Infrastructure Policy Agenda

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. In his first major policy speech, Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr outlined his Build America Agenda for the agency'...

03/07/2025

TV Tech's Top NextGen TV Stories of 2025

As the industry is making a major push to transition to NextGen TV and develop new businesses that will fund the next generation of broadcasting, TV Tech's ...

03/07/2025

Netflix Rolls Out AV1 Film Grain Synthesis Streams for Film Content

Despite enabling its subscribers to watch films and TV shows in the highest possible resolution, Netflix has revealed it is taking things old school with the in...

03/07/2025

FCC's Gomez, Sen. Markey, Critics Blast Paramount-Trump Settlement

WASHINGTON In response to news that Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, Democrats and other administra...

03/07/2025

Riedel Communications Unveils RefSuite Sports Ecosystem

WUPPERTAL, Germany Riedel Communications today launched RefSuite for professional sports workflows....

03/07/2025

LYNX Technik Appoints New Executive Leadership Team

WEITERSTADT, Germany LYNX Technik, a provider of modular signal processing solutions, has announced that founder and longtime CEO Winfried Deckelmann is steppin...

03/07/2025

CTA, NCTA, LPTVBA Meet With FCC to Oppose NAB's ATSC 3.0 Petition

WASHINGTON Representatives from six trade groups representing tech, pay TV, broadband, LPTV and other sectors recently met with Federal Communications Commissio...

03/07/2025

Dan Whealy Acquires Heartland Video Systems

PLYMOUTH, Wis. Dan Whealy has acquired Heartland Video Systems and will be its new owner and president, the systems integrator said....

03/07/2025

Filmmaker Jay Holben Releases The Directors Guide to Ever...

Acclaimed filmmaker, educator, and industry veteran Jay Holben has released his most ambitious work to date: The Director's Guide to Everything a sweeping...