Avi or MPEG ?
The AVI format is supported in all versions of Windows. The
MPEG format is not supported directly by OS and it require a
MPEG software player installed which supports MCI.
New Windows Media Player can play many formats and MPEG as
well. All new Windows 98 installation should have MPEG support
already installed (or not...). For older versions of Windows
you have to carry the Windows Media Player installation or
DirectShow 6 and newer with you.
MPEG format has better compression and quality than standard
AVI, however it needs more CPU to play the video.
To make it more difficult not all AVI's are the same. AVI uses
Codec's to compress its data. (And in fact it can also use
MPEG codec).
What is CODEC ?
You can use uncompressed AVI, but you will end up with
hundreds of MB of data just for few minutes. Instead you
should use compression/decompression software. CODEC is such
software component. In order to be able to play the video
encoded with any CODEC the component must be installed on the
computer.
As always there are many Codecs, producing better or worse
video quality. You can choose any one, but remember if you go
wild, you will have to also install the CODEC on the user
computer before he will be able to play your video.
There are already few Codecs installed on every Windows95,
98, 2000 by default:
Cinepak, Indeo 3.2, Indeo 4, Indeo 5, Microsoft Video 1.
Each codec is identified by 4 letters code in AVI file (for
example Cinepak is CVID)
ò Microsoft Video 1
The original CODEC shipped with ancient Video for
windows.
Quality: Bad, it is CODEC from times when 256 colors
was a luxury.
Tip: The best is to avoid this
CODEC.
ò Cinepak
Cinepak was originally developed by Radius to play small
movies on 386 from CD ROM.
Quality: Many years ago this was amazing, however today
it doesn't compare well with newer CODECs
Tip: All Windows Versions will be able to play AVI
encoded with Cinepak. To play the video, the CODEC need just
very little CPU.
If you want to have video play back on any Windows machine
Cinepak would be your choice.
ò Indeo 3.2
Developed by Intel in 80's
Quality: Not much to say, the quality is in the range
of Cinpak - which means 'medium' quality. It doesn't like fast
movement.
Tip: All Windows versions should be able to play AVI
encoded with Indeo 3.2. The time needed for compressing is
less than Cinepak, however it needs faster computer to play
back than Cinepak. (Today's Pentiums are far fast enough
anyway)
ò Indeo 4 and 5
Some name but different technology than Indeo 3.2.
Quality: Produces better results than Cinepak or Indeo
3.2, but needs fast Pentium
Tip: Most of the Windows 95 and 98 will have this CODEC
already installed. However it requires a fast Pentium to play
it back
ò MPEG-1
MPEG-1 provides excellent quality (audio and video)
This format is very popular and most of the MPEG files you
download from Internet are encoded in MPEG-1.
In addition, it is the format for VideoCD (VCD).
ò MPEG-2
MPEG-2 is designed for broadcast quality digital audio and
video. The image quality is outstanding. This is the format
DVD uses. To play MPEG-2 videos you need fast Pentium or
special hardware.
ò MPEG-4
MPEG-4 is designed for high quality web streaming video. It is
similar to H.263 (video conferencing CODEC)
The quality is excellent even at low data rates. Microsoft has
its own implementation in the new ASF format
So which CODEC?
Well again, that's your choice. There is no one for all. If you
look at the previous paragraphs, it looks that if you want to play
video on any windows computer you use AVI format
encoded with Cinepak. The quality is not the best, but it
will play on all computers for sure. If your video has low motion
( talking head) you can also try Indeo 3.2 CODEC. Then if
the quality is important use MPEG, but you have to let user
install Microsoft Windows Media Player first (it is free)
DivX:) and other hacks
DivX is a simply Microsoft source code for the MPEG-4 from their SDK and hacked very slightly so it could be used in AVI format. DiviX as a codec is the same as used in ASF, however ASF is build as streaming format (you don't have to download the whole thing to play it - unlike AVI) so it has different structure. Because inside DiviX is a Microsoft code it may hapened that they will legaly go against DiviX and other copycats. Hard to say at this point if using DiviX today will bring any legal problems in the future... so read news if you decide to use this (or similar) codec. The other codecs go with various names such as AngelPotion etc.. but they all use the same code.
So which CODEC?
Well that's again your choice. There is no one for all. If you look at the previous paragraphs it looks that if you want to play video on any windows computer you use AVI format encoded with Cinepak. The quality is nothing to write home about, but it will play on all computers for sure. If your video has low motion (boring talking head) you can also try Indeo 3.2 CODEC. Then if the quality is important use MPEG, but you have to let user install Microsoft Windows Media Player first (it is free)