Convert H264 to AVI
About H264
This is not a playable video file, but a raw video stream encoded with the H.264 (also known as AVC) codec. H.264 is the most widely used video codec on the planet, found in everything from Blu-ray discs to web streaming. A raw .h264 file is the pure video data without any audio or container information. It must be 'muxed' into a container like MP4 to be widely playable.
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 While it was once extremely popular, it has been largely superseded by more modern formats like MP4.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.
H264 vs AVI
| Feature | H264 | AVI |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Support | false | false |
| Subtitle Support | false | false |
| DRM Support | false | false |
| Quality Rating | 5 | 3 |
| Patent Status | patented | proprietary |
| Year Introduced | 2003 | 1992 |
| Developed By | ITU-T/ISO/IEC | Microsoft |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between H.264 and MP4?
H.264 is the codec—the algorithm that compresses the video. MP4 is the container—the 'box' that holds the H.264 compressed video, an audio track, and subtitles. Think of H.264 as the book's content and MP4 as the book's cover and binding.
How do I play a .h264 file?
Most standard media players cannot play raw .h264 streams. You would typically need a specialized player like VLC or use a tool like FFmpeg to combine it with an audio stream into a standard MP4 or MKV container file.
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.
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