Windows supports a wide range of video formats, including the popular MPEG-4 (MP4), Windows Media Video (WMV), QuickTime (MOV), AVI, and Flash Video (FLV).
In Windows Control Panel, users can go to the Default Programs section to choose their preferred video format. This is where they can decide which program will be used to open or play specific types of files. The settings also let users choose which format is the default for saving new videos.
MPEG-4 is the most widely used video format as it’s compatible with virtually all media players and devices. It offers a great balance between video quality and file size, making it ideal for streaming and downloading. It’s also supported by Windows Control Panel, so users don’t need to download other software to view the videos.
Windows Media Video (WMV) is a proprietary format developed by Microsoft that’s used to store digital video and audio streams. It’s commonly used in Windows Media Player, the native media player on Windows computers. WMV is fully supported by Windows Control Panel and can be used to open and play a variety of video formats.
QuickTime (MOV) is an Apple-developed media format commonly used to store movie files on Macs and iPhones. MOV files can be opened and viewed in Windows Media Player with the help of the QuickTime plugin. They’re also supported by Windows Control panel, so users can easily view them without downloading any additional software.
AVI is a multimedia container format developed by Microsoft. It stands for Audio Video Interleaved and it’s often used to store movies on both Windows and Mac systems. AVI files can be played in Windows Media Player and are also supported by Windows Control Panel.
Finally, Flash Video (FLV) is a popular format for streaming video over the internet. It’s mainly used for web-based videos, such as YouTube and Vimeo. FLV files can be opened in Windows Media Player with the help of a compatible browser plugin. They’re also supported by Windows Control Panel, so users don’t need to download extra software to view them.