What Is a MOV File?

A MOV file is a multimedia file containing audio and/or video. MOV files play in media viewers such as QuickTime or Windows Media Player.

Function

MOV files are high-quality files for recording, sharing and storing digital multimedia. MOV is a widely adopted format recognized by computers and hand-held devices.

Playback

MOV files can be viewed on many free media players, including QuickTime Player, Windows Media Player and RealPlayer. The basic versions of these players are free to download, and available for Apple and PC computers.

History

The MOV format was originally created for Apple's QuickTime multimedia software. Both first appeared in 1991.

Benefits

MOV files incorporate multiple audio and video tracks independent of one another. These separate elements can be isolated and adjusted during playback and editing, lending the MOV format to use in professional applications.

Industry

High-quality MOV files are suitable for professional video editing. They are the default format of media files created by Final Cut Studio applications.

Size

The size of MOV files varies depending on media length and compression type. Generally, MOV files are high-quality and therefore larger than other multimedia formats.

References

• Apple Computers
• FXBear Software Blog

Resources

• QuickTime Player
• QuickTime Alternative Player (non-Apple)