Glossary of Video Format and Codec Terms: Your Essential Reference

The Glossary: Essential Video Terms A-Z

8-bit / 10-bit / 12-bit (Bit Depth)

The number of bits used to represent the color and luminance information per pixel. Higher bit depth equals more color precision and smoother gradients—10-bit video, for example, supports over a billion colors compared to 16 million in 8-bit.

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)

A common audio codec that offers efficient compression and high-quality sound. Frequently used in video files like MP4, especially for streaming and online playback.

Aspect Ratio

The ratio of a video’s width to its height. Common formats include 16:9 for widescreen and 9:16 for vertical video—important when choosing formats for YouTube vs. Instagram Stories.

AV1

A next-generation, open-source codec that delivers high-quality video at lower bitrates. It’s royalty-free and designed to succeed H.264 and VP9 for streaming.

AVI (Audio Video Interleave)

An older container format developed by Microsoft. Offers broad compatibility but lacks modern compression efficiencies, leading to larger file sizes.

Bitrate (kbps/Mbps)

The amount of data transmitted per second. A higher bitrate typically results in better quality video but increases file size. For example, 25 Mbps is standard for HD broadcasting.

Chroma Subsampling (e.g., 4:4:4, 4:2:2, 4:2:0)

A method of compressing color data in video. 4:2:2 retains more color detail than 4:2:0, making it better for color grading in post-production.

Codec (Coder-Decoder)

A technology that compresses and decompresses video or audio. Common examples include H.264, HEVC, and ProRes. Understanding codecs is crucial for choosing the right video template or export setting.

Compression

The process of reducing video file size. Can be lossless, retaining all original data, or lossy, discarding data to save space (e.g., YouTube encoding).

Container Format (File Format)

A wrapper that holds video, audio, subtitles, and metadata in one file. Examples include MP4, MOV, and MKV.

DNxHD / DNxHR

Professional-grade video codecs developed by Avid. Known for maintaining image quality and fast performance during editing, especially in broadcast environments.

Encoding

The act of compressing raw video footage using a codec, transforming it into a deliverable digital file format.

Frame Rate (fps)

The number of frames displayed per second. 24 fps is standard for film, 30 fps for TV, and 60 fps for smooth action or gaming videos.

H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC)

One of the most widely used video codecs for its balance of quality and compression. It’s the standard for streaming, mobile, and HD playback.

H.265 (HEVC – High Efficiency Video Coding)

A successor to H.264 that offers about 50% better compression without sacrificing quality—ideal for 4K and HDR content.

Inter-frame Compression

A method that compresses by comparing differences between frames. Efficient but harder to edit due to frame dependencies.

Intra-frame Compression

Each frame is compressed independently, like a JPEG image. Used in ProRes and DNxHR, this is preferred in editing due to frame accuracy.

Lossless Compression

Reduces file size without sacrificing any quality. Best for archiving or professional workflows, though files remain relatively large.

Lossy Compression

Reduces file size by permanently removing some data. Common in online streaming and social media to save bandwidth.

Metadata

Data about your video data. Includes info like resolution, frame rate, device used, and more. Essential for file organization and editing.

MKV (Matroska Video File)

A flexible container format capable of storing multiple video/audio/subtitle streams. Often used for high-quality downloads or archived media.

MOV (QuickTime File Format)

An Apple-developed container format, frequently used in professional video workflows for its support of high-quality codecs like ProRes.

MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14)

A universally compatible container format used across devices and platforms. Usually contains H.264 or HEVC video.

ProRes

A high-performance intra-frame codec from Apple, widely used in editing for its speed and visual fidelity. A staple in Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere workflows.

Resolution

The pixel dimensions of a video. Examples: 1920×1080 (Full HD), 3840×2160 (4K). Higher resolutions deliver crisper visuals but require more storage.

Transcoding

The act of converting a video file from one codec or format to another. Essential when adapting content for different platforms or editing tools.

VP9

An open-source codec developed by Google. More efficient than H.264 and commonly used for streaming YouTube videos at 4K.

WebM

A royalty-free container format designed for web use. Often paired with VP9 or AV1, ideal for embedding HTML5 videos without licensing concerns.

Conclusion

Don’t worry if you don’t remember everything. This glossary is here to support you continuously, whether you’re editing, exporting, or choosing the perfect video template for your project.