Convert AVI to WEBM
About AVI
AVI (Audio Video Interleave) is one of the oldest video formats, developed by Microsoft in 1992. As a container format, it can use a wide variety of codecs for video and audio. While it was once extremely popular, it has been largely superseded by more modern formats like MP4. It lacks modern features like native support for streaming or subtitles and can result in very large file sizes.
About WEBM
WebM is a video format sponsored by Google, designed specifically for the web. It is royalty-free and open-source, created to provide a high-quality, efficient alternative to patented formats like MP4 (H.264). It typically uses VP8 or VP9 video codecs and Vorbis or Opus audio codecs. WebM is optimized for streaming and is used heavily by YouTube.
AVI vs WEBM
| Feature | AVI | WEBM |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Support | false | true |
| Subtitle Support | false | true |
| DRM Support | false | false |
| Quality Rating | 3 | 5 |
| Patent Status | proprietary | royalty-free |
| Year Introduced | 1992 | 2010 |
| Developed By | Microsoft |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AVI still a useful format?
For new video projects, AVI is not recommended. Its main use today is for compatibility with older systems or legacy content. Modern formats like MP4 offer better compression, more features, and wider compatibility.
Why do some AVI files not play audio?
This is a common issue with AVI files and is due to its reliance on codecs. The AVI file itself is just a container. If your system does not have the specific audio or video codec installed that was used to create the file, it will not be able to play correctly.
Is WebM better than MP4?
For web use, WebM can provide better compression (smaller file sizes at the same quality) than MP4 (using H.264). However, MP4 still has broader hardware support. For maximum compatibility across all devices, especially Apple devices, MP4 is often the safer choice, but WebM is an excellent, open alternative.
What is the main advantage of WebM?
Its main advantage is that it is a completely royalty-free and open-source format. This means developers and companies can implement it in their products without paying licensing fees, which is a major issue with codecs like H.264 and H.265.
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