- The AVI file format debuted in 1992 as part of the Windows Video project. It was one of the first video container formats that could hold both video and audio files, and play them back simultaneously. At first AVI files were not that prevalent, and were only contained in pre-exiting software. However, in the early 2000s, the AVI format began gaining in popularity due to the advent of broadband internet. The AVI format was the most prevalent video format at the time, and sharing AVI-formatted videos became very popular during this time. The AVI format has been succeeded technologically by the MPEG-4, but still remains a common fixture of the Internet video landscape, mostly due to its ease of use and familiarity.
- The AVI file format does not have very many extra features like MPEG-4 files or MKVs. However, it's simplistic nature makes it easy to work with and find software for. AVI files also have a very low compression rate, so they can be of higher quality than other files.
- If you are planning on choosing a file format with which to upload or share Media, AVI is a nice simple file type to use. Although it is not as technical as some other file formats, the AVI format is almost universally playable on most standard media players, although an updated codec is always necessary. However, AVI files are not easily compressed, so if size is a consideration, then you may want to go with the more petite MPEG file format.
- Although many argue that the AVI file format is dying out, there have been rumors that a new AVI-2 is in the works. This new AVI would have higher compression, yet keep the same baseline standard that made AVIs so user-friendly when they first became so popular.
- Although the AVI format is used heavily online, it is important to realize that it is not the smallest video format, and can take up quite a bit of bandwidth to upload or download. If there is an MPEG option, it is best to use that rather than waste the unnecessary server space on an AVI.
Comments
mikeb15917 said
on 3/28/2009 Wow... I'm sorry, but whoever wrote this does not know anything about avi files. Avi is not a compression format, it's a container that can hold different codecs (including *gasp* MPEG-4 video).Please do your research before writing articles...And avi was extremely popular before 2000...