Is MP4 a codec or a container?

MP4 is a container format, not a codec. It's the file wrapper (the .mp4 extension) that holds video, audio, and metadata together. The codec inside an MP4 file is typically H.264 or H.265, which handles the actual video compression.

What does codec stand for?

Codec is short for "coder-decoder." It refers to the technology that compresses (codes) video data for storage and delivery, then decompresses (decodes) it for playback. Some people also expand it as "compressor-decompressor," which means the same thing.

Is H.264 a codec or a format?

H.264 is a codec. It's the compression algorithm that encodes and decodes video data. H.264 is commonly found inside MP4 and MOV container formats, but it is not a container or file format itself.

Can one container hold different codecs?

Yes. An MP4 file, for example, can contain video compressed with H.264, H.265, or even AV1. The container format determines which codecs it supports, but it can typically work with several different ones.

Does the container affect video quality?

No. The container does not compress or alter your video data. It simply organizes the video, audio, and metadata streams into one file. Video quality is determined entirely by the codec and the encoding settings (like bitrate and resolution).

Does changing a file extension convert the codec?

No. Renaming a file from .mov to .mp4 (or vice versa) only changes the label. The codec inside the file stays the same, and doing this can actually make the file unplayable. To truly convert between formats, you need to re-encode the file using software like Adobe Media Encoder, HandBrake, or FFmpeg.

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