Video Formats Guide - Complete Comparison | ConvertMyVideo

Understand the trade-off

MP4 is a container; H.264, HEVC and AV1 are codecs. Changing the file extension alone does not convert the encoded video. H.264 with AAC in MP4 is a useful compatibility starting point, but the receiving app still needs to support it.

Decoding reads encoded media into frames and audio samples. Trimming or cropping changes the selected media, then an encoder creates the output. A container packages the tracks into a file. For compatible unedited streams, Auto can copy the media instead of re-encoding it. Browser codec support depends on the device.

A useful starting point

• Start with H.264 + AAC in MP4 when compatibility matters.
• Inspect the beginning and end, the subject’s framing, audio sync and small text. Check file size and dimensions, then preview the destination platform’s upload: it may resize or recompress the result.

Use the editor

• Drop a video onto the home page; processing happens in your browser.
• Use the thumbnail timeline to set the clip boundaries. Zoom to the clip for precise adjustments.
• Choose an aspect ratio, then move or resize the crop frame.
• Select the output format. Open Advanced export settings only if you need quality, resolution, frame rate or bitrate controls.
• Export, then play the saved file before sharing it.

Test a short sample

Test a short section that includes movement, text and audio before exporting the full video. Trim and crop edits re-encode the selected video; Auto can preserve compatible unedited streams. Keep the source file so you can try again.

Check the result

Inspect the beginning and end, the subject’s framing, audio sync and small text. Check file size and dimensions, then preview the destination platform’s upload: it may resize or recompress the result.

Sources and further reading

• MDN: Media container formats
• Mediabunny: Supported formats and codecs