The MP4 AV Container Format
MP4 (or MPEG-4 part 14) is a multimedia container format specified by the Moving Picture Experts Group. It is most commonly used for containing AV streams allowing subtitles, menu and picture data as well.
In my previous posts I have been advocating the conversion of recordings to either the AVI or MKV container format, but I have now seen the light and suggest all recordings be converted to MP4. Here are the reasons why:
- MP4 is better supported by CE devices.
- MP4 is better for streaming.
- MKV is not supported on Humax boxes.
- MKV is a bit of a ‘pirate’ format.
Although the first two points apply over MKV only, AVI are not supported in iTunes, for example, and hence on iOS devices.
You can convert your recordings to MP4 without fuss using AVS Video Convertor – download a trial copy here, and if you like it, purchasing an unlimited license allows you to use all of the other Video and Audio tools, as well.
