Here is a listing of the various formats both audio and video files can be usually found in.
Audio
- MP3: This format has three layers of compression which filter out sounds and file information inaudible to the human ear. From the Motion Picture Experts Group, this is the preferred audio file format.
- WAV: Developed by Microsoft and IBM, these files are accessible on nearly every application supported by Windows.
- WMA: Short for Windows Media Audio, this file format is similar to MP3 and is a recommended format for encoding and playing audio files.
- Real Audio: Often used for streaming audio, this format allows files to be played in "real-time" with download.
- MIDI: An acronym for musical instrument device interface, this file format is used nearly exclusively in the music industry. The files consist of a sound's representation of its pitch, length and note.
Video
- AVI: File format used when transferring content from a video recorder to a computer.
- MP4: An advanced format of the MPEG, with increased compression rates.
- MPG: The standard file format for moving images delevoped by the Motion Picture Experts Group.
- SWF/FLV: Format used by Adobe/Macromedia products, particularly Flash. This format has high compression rates with little sacrifice in video quality.
- WMV: Windows Media Video format, accessible on all Windows applications.
