Confusion about some multimedia TERMS

[JWorld]

Hi, everyone

I just started to learn audio and video authoring, (teach myselt though, not in any educatonal institute) but got really confused about some terminology. Would really appreciate for any help.

Is codec the same as format? I saw an article saying "a video codec/format called MPEG-4 Video." What does a codec do?

In the same article, it says "AVI and MP4 are containers." What is a container anyway? Containers are not formats?

And what exactly is MEPG-4? What is the difference between different implementations of MPEG-4?

What about AVI, XviD, Dvix? Are these all somehow related?


Thanks for any help.

P.S If you hate typing comments, i would also appreciate if you would recommend some online resources.

 

[electronicsfreak]

Better results in this forum, video forum

forum749

I would try and explain but since I myself am not an expert id rather let someone who is explain as I dont want to send you on the wrong path.

 

[BadBigBen]

Info on CODECs -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codec

http://www.omiod.com/codecs.asp

Info on AVI -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVI

on MPEG4 -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG4

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[PalmTest]

Start your Google and in the search bar enter
define: avi if you want more info about avi,
and use define: mpeg-4 for the Mpeg stuff.
This search method works with all (english) technical terms.