What are Video Files? Definition and list of extensions
Video files are collections of images, audio, and other data. Video signal attributes include pixel dimensions, frame rate, audio channels, and more. There are many ways to encode and save video data.
In general, video files have the following characteristics:
- Box Size: This is the pixel dimension of the frame.
- The aspect ratio: Ratio between width and height.
- Frame rate: Rate at which frames are captured and intended for playback.
- Quality: The bit rate or data rate is the amount of data used to describe the audio or video portion of the file. It is measured in units per second: kilobytes, megabytes, or gigabytes per second. In general, the higher the bitrate, the better the quality.
- Audio Sample Rate: This is the frequency the audio is sampled when converted from an analog source to a digital file.
Video files are made up of a container such as AVI or MOV, the audio and video signal, and a codec (software to encode and decode the video signal)
The most used video file extensions are: .mpg, .mov, .wmv, and .rm.
Below is a list of video file extensions:
| Extension | Description |
| 264 | Ripped Video Data File |
| 3g2 | 3GPP2 Multimedia File |
| 3gp | 3GPP Multimedia File |
| 3gp2 | 3GPP Multimedia File |
| 3gpp | 3GPP Media File |
| 3gpp2 | 3GPP2 Multimedia File |
| 3mm | 3D Movie Maker Movie Project |
| 3p2 | 3GPP Multimedia File |
| 60d | CCTV Video Clip |
| 787 | AVTECH CCTV Video File |
| 890 | Cavena Subtitles File |
| aaf | Advanced Authoring Format multimedia file |
| aec | Cinema 4D After Effects Composition |
| aep | After Effects Project |
| aepx | After Effects XML Project |
| aet | After Effects Project Template |
| aetx | After Effects XML Project Template |
| ajp | AJP Player video file |
| but | Avid Log Exchange File |
| amc | AMC Video File |
| amv | AMV video file format |
| amx | Adobe Motion Exchange File |
| apz | AMS shared project file |
| aqt | AQTitle Subtitles File |
| arcut | Adobe Prelude rough cut file |
| arf | WebEx Advanced Recording File |
| asf | Advanced Systems (streaming) format |
| asx | Microsoft Advanced Streaming Redirector file |
| avb | Avid Bin File |
| stroke | MPEG-4 AVC Advanced Video Coding movie file |
| avchd | High Definition Video File |
| avd | MAGIX Movie Edit Pro video data file |
| avi | Audio Video Interleave File |
| avp | Avid Project File |
| avs | AviSynth Script File |
| lawyer | Avid Volume Bin File |
| awlive | Active Webcam Video File |
| axm | AXMEDIS Object |
| bdm | AVHCD Information File |
| bdmv | Blu-ray information file |
| bdt2 | BEEDOCS Timeline 3D 2 Document |
| bdt3 | BEEDOCS Timeline 3D 3 Document |
| bik | BINK video file |
| bmk | PowerDVD MovieMark File |
| bnp | Sony Camcorder Video Data File |
| bs4 | Mikogo Session Video Recording |
| bsf | Blu-ray AVC Video File |
| bvr | Blue Iris Video |
| byu | Movie.BYU geometry file |
| camproj | Camtasia Studio Project |
| camrec | Camtasia Studio Screen Recording |
| camv | Camtasia Video File |
| ced | JVC Camera Video Data File |
| who | Phantom Digital Video File |
| clpi | Blu-ray Clip Information File |
| cmmp | Camtasia MenuMaker Project |
| cmmtpl | Camtasia MenuMaker Template |
| cmproj | Camtasia Project File |
| cmrec | Camtasia Recording |
| cpi | AVCHD Video Clip Information File |
| cvc | cVideo |
| cx3 | CMS Recorded Video File |
| d2v | DVD2AVI File |
| d3v | Datel Video File |
| crowd | DVR365 Video File |
| dce | DriveCam Video File |
| dck | Resolume Deck File |
| dat | DivX Temporary Video File |
| to you | Adobe Director Movie |
| div | DivX movie |
| divx | DivX-Encoded Movie File |
| dlx | Sony VDU file format importer |
| dmsd | Roxio MyDVD Project |
| dmsd3d | Roxio MyDVD 3D Project |
| dmsm | VideoWave Movie Project File |
| dmsm3d | VideoWave 3D Movie Project File |
| dmss | VideoWave SlideShow Project File |
| dmx | Source Filmmaker Project File |
| dnc | Windows Dancer File |
| dpa | DrawPlus Animation File |
| dpg | Nintendo DS Movie File |
| dream | Dream Animated Wallpaper File |
| dv | Digital Video File |
| dv-avi | Microsoft DV-AVI Video File |
| dv4 | Bosch Security Systems CCTV Video File |
| dvdmedia | RipIt DVD Package |
| dvr | Microsoft Recorded TV Show |
| dvr-ms | Microsoft Digital Video Recording |
| dvx | DivX Video File |
| dxr | Protected Macromedia Director Movie |
| dzm | DirectorZone Menu Template |
| dzp | DirectorZone Particle Effect File |
| dzt | DirectorZone Title File |
| edl | Edit Decision List File |
| evo | HD DVD Video File |
| eye | Eyemail Video Recording File |
| f4f | Flash Video Fragment |
| f4p | Adobe Flash Protected Media File |
| f4v | Flash MP4 Video File |
| fbr | FlashBack Screen Recording |
| fbz | FlashBack Screen Recorder Movie |
| fcp | Final Cut Project |
| fcproject | Final Cut Pro X Project File |
| flc | COP Animation |
| flh | FLIC Animation File |
| fli | COP Animation |
| flv | Flash Video File |
| fmv | Bink Tools Full Motion Video file |
| ftc | FluxTime Clip File |
| gcs | Cineform Studio Video Project |
| gfp | GreenForce-Player Protected Media File |
| gl | GRASP Animation |
| gmt | Global Mobile Television multimedia file |
| gom | GOM Media File |
| grasp | GRASP Animation |
| gts | CaptiveWorks PVR Video File |
| gvi | Google Video File |
| gvp | Google Video Pointer |
| h264 | H.264 Encoded Video File |
| hdmov | QuickTime HD Movie File |
| hdv | High Definition Video Format |
| hkm | Havok Movie File |
| ifo | DVD-Video Disc Information File |
| imovieproj | iMovie Project File |
| imovieproject | iMovie Project |
| ircp | SpeedGrade IRIDAS Composite File |
| ismc | Smooth Streaming Client Manifest File |
| ismclip | iStopMotion Animation Clip |
| ismv | IIS Smooth Streaming Video File |
| VAT | Surveillance Video File |
| ivf | Indeo Video Format File |
| ivr | Internet Video Recording |
| ivs | Internet streaming video |
| izz | Isadora Media Control Project |
| izzy | Isadora Project |
| jmv | Jnes Movie File |
| jss | JACOsub Subtitle File |
| jts | Cyberlink AVCHD Video File |
| jtv | J. River TV File |
| k3g | 3GP Mobile Phone Video File |
| kdenlive | Kdenlive Project File |
| kmv | Mobile DJ Video File |
| ktn | KTooN Animation Project File |
| lrec | Inter-Tel Web Conference Recording |
| lrv | Low Resolution Video File |
| lsx | Streaming Media Shortcut |
| m15 | MPEG Video |
| m1pg | iFinish Video Clip |
| m1v | MPEG-1 Video File |
| m21 | MPEG-21 File |
| m2a | MPEG-1 Layer 2 Audio File |
| m2p | MPEG-2 Program Stream File |
| m2s | MPEG-2 audio video file |
| m2t | MPEG-2 transport stream file |
| m2ts | Blu-ray BDAV Video File |
| m2v | MPEG-2 Video |
| m4e | MPEG-4 Video File |
| m4u | MPEG-4 Playlist |
| m4v | iTunes Video File |
| m75 | MPEG Video |
| hands | Mine-imator Project File |
| meta | RealPlayer Metafile |
| mgv | PSP Video File |
| mj2 | Motion JPEG 2000 Video Clip |
| mjp | MJPEG Video File |
| mjpg | Motion JPEG Video File |
| mk3d | Matroska 3D Video File |
| mkv | Matroska Video File |
| mmm | MultiMedia Movie format (RIFF RMMP) |
| mmm | MicroMV Video File |
| mnv | PlayStation Movie File |
| mob | MOBTV Video File |
| manner | Sony Video Analysis File |
| moff | Sony Video Analysis Index File |
| moov | Apple QuickTime Movie |
| mov | Apple QuickTime Movie |
| movie | QuickTime Movie File |
| mp21 | MPEG-21 Multimedia File |
| mp2v | MPEG-2 Video File |
| mp4 | MPEG-4 Video File |
| mp4infovid | Parrot AR Drone and Gyro Flyer Video |
| mp4v | MPEG-4 Video |
| mpe | MPEG Movie File |
| mpeg | MPEG Movie |
| mpeg1 | MPEG-1 Video File |
| mpeg4 | MPEG-4 File |
| mpg | MPEG Video File |
| mpg2 | MPEG-2 Video File |
| mpgindex | Adobe MPEG Index File |
| mpl | AVCHD Playlist File |
| mpls | Blu-ray Movie Playlist File |
| mpsub | MPlayer Subtitles File |
| mpv | MPEG Elementary Stream Video File |
| mpv2 | MPEG-2 Video Stream |
| mqv | Sony Movie Format File |
| msdvd | Windows DVD Maker Project File |
| mswmm | Windows Movie Maker Project |
| mts | AVCHD Video File |
| mtv | MTV Video Format File |
| mvb | Multimedia Viewer Book Source File |
| mvd | Movie Edit Pro Movie File |
| mve | Infinity Engine Movie File |
| mvex | Muvee autoProducer 6 Project File |
| mvp | Movie Edit Pro Video Project File |
| mvy | Video easy Project File |
| mxf | Material Exchange Format File |
| mxv | MAGIX Video File |
| mys | Vineyard Captured Video File |
| ncor | Adobe Encore Project File |
| nsv | Nullsoft Streaming Video File |
| nut | NUT Video File |
| nuv | NuppelVideo File |
| nvc | NeroVision Express Project File |
| GMO | Ogg Media File |
| ogv | Ogg Video File |
| ogx | Ogg Vorbis Multiplexed Media File |
| orv | Oracom Video File |
| osp | OpenShot Project File |
| otrkey | OnlineTvRecorder Encoded Video File |
| pds | PowerDirector Script File |
| pgi | Video Recording File |
| photoshow | Roxio PhotoShow Project |
| piv | Pivot Stickfigure Animation |
| pjs | Phoenix Subtitles File |
| playlist | CyberLink PowerDVD Playlist |
| plproj | Adobe Prelude Project File |
| ppj | Premiere 6 Project File |
| prel | Premiere Elements Project File |
| pro4dvd | ProPresenter DVD Clips Document |
| pro5dvd | ProPresenter DVD Clips Document |
| proqc | ProPresenter Quartz Composition |
| prproj | Premiere Pro Project |
| prtl | Premiere Pro Title File |
| eg | Photodex Slide Show |
| pssd | PhotoSuite Slide Show File |
| pva | PVA Video File |
| pxv | Pixbend Media File |
| qt | Apple QuickTime Movie |
| qtch | QuickTime Cache File |
| qtindex | Adobe QTIndex File |
| qtl | QuickTime Link File |
| qtm | Apple QuickTime Movie File |
| qtz | Quartz Composer File |
| r3d | REDCODE Video File |
| rcd | pcAnywhere Recorded Session File |
| rec | Topfield PVR Recording |
| rm | Real Media File |
| rmd | RED Metadata File |
| rmp | RealPlayer Metadata Package File |
| rms | Secure Real Media File |
| rmv | The Simpsons Hit & Run Video File |
| rmvb | RealMedia Variable Bit Rate File |
| roq | Id Software Game Video |
| rsx | RED Metadata XML File |
| rum | Bink Video Subtitle File |
| rv | Real Video File |
| rvid | Snapz Pro X Recorded Video File |
| rvl | Muvee Reveal X Project File |
| sbt | SBT Subtitle File |
| scm | ScreenCam Screen Recording |
| screenflow | ScreenFlow Document |
| sdv | Studio DV Project File |
| sedprj | Slideshow Studio Elements Project |
| sfvidcap | Sonic Foundry Video Capture File |
| siv | Silicon Imaging Video File |
| smi | SMIL Presentation |
| smile | SMIL Presentation File |
| smk | Smacker Compressed Movie File |
| sml | SMIL Slideshow Presentation |
| smv | VideoLink Mail Video File |
| snagproj | Snagit Project File |
| spa | FutureSplash Movie (Adobe Flash) |
| sqz | Squeeze Project File |
| srt | SubRip Subtitle File |
| ssm | Standard Streaming Metafile |
| stx | Pinnacle Studio Project File |
| all | Samsung Video File |
| swf | Shockwave Flash Movie |
| swi | SWiSH Project File |
| swt | Flash Generator Template |
| tda3mt | DivX Author Template File |
| tivo | TiVo Video File |
| tix | DivX Video Download Activation File |
| tod | JVC Everio Video Capture File |
| tp | Beyond TV Transport Stream File |
| tp0 | Mascom PVR Video File |
| tpd | Cyberlink TOD Video File |
| tpr | TMPGEnc Project File |
| trp | HD Video Transport Stream |
| ts | Video Transport Stream File |
| tsp | Digital TV DVR Recording |
| ttxt | MPEG-4 Timed Text Subtitles File |
| tvs | TeamViewer Video Session File |
| usm | USM Game Video File |
| vc1 | VC-1 Video File |
| vcpf | VideoConvert Project File |
| vcr | ATI Video Card Recording |
| vcv | ViewCave Video File |
| vdo | VDOLive Media File |
| vdr | VirtualDub Signpost File |
| veg | Vegas Video Project |
| Acts | AVS Video Editor Project File |
| vf | Vegas Movie Studio Project File |
| vft | VideoStudio Filter File |
| vfw | Video for Windows |
| vfz | Creative Webcam Video Effects File |
| vgz | DigitalVDO Compressed Video File |
| at | Generic Video File |
| video | aTube Catcher Video File |
| viewlet | Qarbon Viewlet |
| vivo | VivoActive Video File |
| vlab | VisionLab Studio Project File |
| vob | DVD Video Object File |
| vp3 | On2 Streaming Video File |
| vp6 | TrueMotion VP6 Video File |
| vp7 | TrueMotion VP7 Video File |
| vro | DVD Video Recording Format |
| vs4 | AVTECH CCTV Video Surveillance File |
| everything | Video Server E video file |
| vsp | VideoStudio Project File |
| vvf | CCTV DVR camera video format file |
| wcp | WinDVD Creator Project File |
| webm | WebM Video File |
| wlmp | Windows Live Movie Maker Project File |
| wm | Windows Media File |
| wmd | Windows Media Download Package |
| wmmp | Windows Movie Maker Project File |
| wmv | Windows Media Video File |
| wmx | Windows Media Redirector File |
| wot | WebEx Recording File |
| wp3 | Microsoft Photo Story Project File |
| wpl | Windows Media Player Playlist |
| wtv | Windows Recorded TV Show File |
| wvx | Windows Media Video Redirector |
| xej | Expression Encoder Job File |
| xel | Expression Encoder Live Encoding File |
| xesc | Expression Encoder Screen Capture File |
| xfl | Flash Movie Archive |
| xlmv | Thunder Mall video file |
| xmv | Xbox Media Video File |
| xvid | Xvid-Encoded Video File |
| y4m | YUV4MPEG2 Video File |
| is | Outerra Captured Video File |
| say | ZeroG Subtitles File |
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