Main video formats used
If we are talking about an older TV model, then special smart set-top boxes are used to play new content. Devices of this type provide image broadcasting to the TV screen by running codecs. A codec is a special algorithm required to convert content from a regular file into graphic elements.
As for the new TVs, they are suitable for playing movies and video content in general without the use of smart set-top boxes. Main video formats: MP4, MKV, XVID, MPEG. Let's look at them in more detail.
MPEG
This standard has been in use for quite some time. Videos in MPEG format are read by almost all TVs. There are several subtypes of this standard:
- MPEG of the first generation: today it is practically not used, it has lost its relevance. Designed for CD video;
- MPEG second generation: rarely, but used. Used for DVD video;
- MPEG fourth generation: actively used today by streaming services.
Why is third generation MPEG not used? Such a subspecies actually existed, but it was abandoned when it became clear that second-generation MPEG could cope with HDTV.
Playing files in this format is carried out to watch movies, TV series, and videos. MPEG codecs are also used by the TV when launching the Skype application.
H264
This format is also called AVC. The key feature of the Advanced Video Coding standard is maximum compression of the video stream, which ensures that the best image quality is preserved. H264 is a fourth-generation MPEG-derived format used to play content from Blu-Ray and HD DVD. Therefore, this format has an optimal set of codecs.
Xvid and DivX
Users waited a long time for a restart or MPEG optimization, and that’s how XVID and DivX technologies appeared. Codecs do an excellent job of converting content to fourth generation MPEG. Algorithms are included in the basic TV software package.
Main video formats
A format or codec is a set of commands required to recognize the data in a file and convert it into video that is displayed on the screen. Their number is increasing every day, so manufacturers are constantly updating the firmware of TVs and teaching them to play an increasing number of codecs.
The main types of codecs that are highly popular include MKV, MPEG, H 264, XVID and DVX, as well as some others.
This is a type of video container similar to MOV, MPG and AVI codecs. May contain subtitles as well as multiple audio tracks placed in a single file format. Popular among high-quality video fans, it is used to broadcast content on the Internet. You can use the video in this extension to check the HDR capabilities of your TV set.
The oldest and most common format. Over the years, it has been constantly refined and changed, so several varieties of it have appeared.
Now common:
- MPEG-1 – codec used for V >H 264
Another name for this codec is Advanced Video Coding or AVC. Allows you to compress the video stream as much as possible, but at the same time provides amazing picture quality. It is the most efficient part of the MPEG-4 Part 10 format.
Area of application: recording and playing video content from DVD and Blu-Ray discs. Compared to other codecs, it has a number of advantages.
XVID and DivX
Two competing technologies that are supported by players for video playback in modern television receivers.
Other formats
In addition to those mentioned above, videos can be in other formats - 3GP, FLV, MOV, MVC, etc. They are less popular, so not all TVs are capable of playing video in this extension.
Modern TVs and supported formats
Modern TVs support a wide range of different formats. The release date of the equipment is of fundamental importance. Therefore, identical models released with an interval of a year or six months may differ in their set of codecs. Developers are trying to quickly expand the complex of pre-installed software.
For example, the first TVs equipped with USB connectors were designed to play images from external media. These TVs do not support video from flash drives. Progress is making itself felt, the situation has noticeably changed for the better. Today, users will be able to connect media devices to TV not only using special wires, but also using wireless technologies - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.
The proliferation of DLNA standards has also expanded the functionality of televisions. Setting up such a connection allows you to exchange content between devices and play files online. The original quality of the content is maintained. Uploading videos or photos is almost instantaneous.
The latest TV models from leading manufacturers feature comprehensive format support. For example, flagships can be used to play content in various formats, even 3D support is implemented. Let's look at a few real examples so that users understand what exactly we are talking about.
Samsung TVs, released relatively recently, support the following standards:
- MPEG 1/2/4/SP/ASP;
- Microsoft MPEG-4 v1, v2, v3;
- DivX 3.11/4/5/6;
- 264 BP/MP/HP;
- HEVC;
- Motion JPEG;
- MVC;
- WMV 1/WMV 2;
- WebM VP 6/8/9.
TVs from the Japanese brand Sony are almost in no way inferior to them. For example, the latest models of the Bravia line support the following formats:
- WMV (9/VC1);
- Asf;
- MPEG-1;
- MPEG-2 (PS/TS);
- MPEG-4 Visual;
- AVC;
- MP.
The USB connectors of modern TVs support connecting external media with various file systems: FAT (12, 16, 32), NTFS.
From the presented examples it is clear that MPEG is the main video format for TV. To find out whether the equipment supports this standard, carefully read the instructions. The necessary information is presented in full in the documentation.
What formats does a modern TV support?
Modern TVs can play video in different formats differently. Moreover, differences can appear not only between brands, but also within models of the same manufacturer, depending on price, functionality, processor installed in the television receiver and other factors.
In addition, videos in the same extension may not play due to inappropriate resolution, frequency, bitrate, etc. Knowing information about the formats supported by the television receiver will allow you to determine which televisions support digital television and in what form to record files on a USB drive for subsequent playback of 4K movies, 3D movies or other content on the television panel.
TV owners interested in what formats are supported by LG, Samsung, Philips, as well as support for Sony Bravia codecs, need to know that television receivers of these brands will read video such as AVI, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, XviD, MP4 and other types, popular.
Playback information for less common codecs, such as Div X3, varies from brand to brand.
Why doesn't the TV open the video, although its format is present in the table
Problems with content playback can arise for various reasons. In some cases, the file does not open due to non-standard screen resolution or frame parameters. Most TVs support 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios. If the file has a different screen height and width, the firmware will not be able to play the content.
Exceeding the transmission speed of information is another common problem. A system error will appear due to the fact that the TV will not have time to receive the signal. Powerful computers cope with such tasks. Excessively lowering the bitrate will lead to problems with sound, the picture will lag or freeze.
When an error occurs when trying to play a video from a flash drive inserted into a USB connector, you need to check the quality of the content recording. It is possible that the memory drive was incorrectly removed from the port. Be sure to check the integrity of the file; it is possible that the error was caused by an incorrect download. For example, there may be no audio tracks in certain fragments.
Old TVs do not read new formats. Be sure to check this point by reading the instructions. The way out of the situation is very simple: we convert the unidentified format into a video file with an extension that the TV recognizes.
Users who actively use video cameras want to play back the captured content on the big screen, but are faced with errors. The problem is that this technique uses special formats. TVs don't support them. Therefore, conversion is the only right solution.
What formats does a modern TV support?
Modern TVs can play video in different formats differently. Moreover, differences can appear not only between brands, but also within models of the same manufacturer, depending on price, functionality, processor installed in the television receiver and other factors.
In addition, videos in the same extension may not play due to inappropriate resolution, frequency, bitrate, etc. Knowing information about the formats supported by the television receiver will allow you to determine which televisions support digital television and in what form to record files on a USB drive for subsequent playback of 4K movies, 3D movies or other content on the television panel.
TV owners interested in what formats are supported by LG, Samsung, Philips, as well as support for Sony Bravia codecs, need to know that television receivers of these brands will read video such as AVI, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, XviD, MP4 and other types, popular.
Playback information for less common codecs, such as Div X3, varies from brand to brand.
Video formats for TVs with built-in multimedia players
Modern TVs from leading manufacturers support all common formats. This became possible thanks to the installation of special software - codecs. It is these algorithms that ensure the conversion of content into a signal that is displayed as an image on a TV screen. LG TVs reproduce the following formats:
- MPEG from the first to the fourth generation. As noted earlier, the implementation of support for DivX and XVID technologies allows you to play files in the second generation MPEG format.
- H264 or AVC is a format supported by Philips, LG, Sony, Samsung and equipment from other manufacturers. This format is considered technically more advanced than standards created based on MPEG. Today H264 is the most common format.
To play content that is broadcast from external sources, it is absolutely not necessary to buy additional equipment. You can connect the TV to an external content storage device using the USB connector. It is also possible to set up a wireless connection via DLNA. Now you know what video format Sony, Samsung, LG and Philips have.
Problems arise when playing content in an outdated format. The file simply won't open. The optimal solution is to convert the video to another, widely used format. The conversion is carried out on a computer or laptop. You must first download special software.
Some TVs do not have a built-in tuner designed to receive a digital signal. Therefore, users are forced to additionally purchase a receiver or smart set-top box. Before purchasing a TV, carefully read the instructions to know whether the model you choose supports digital television setup.
3D video formats
The operating documentation for the equipment indicates support for playing 3D files. This function is mainly supported by Samsung 6-series and Sony Bravia TVs. However, you also need to take into account the 3D format read by TV. The user needs to download the content with the required extension. Let's briefly look at the main 3D formats that are supported by modern TVs:
- F/S - sequential alternation of frames. Each frame is designed for a person's left or right eye. It is this principle that ensures the creation of a three-dimensional image, making viewing more rich and deep;
- C/B is an outdated format that is hardly used today. A complete picture of a three-dimensional image is formed by using the chessboard principle. Its essence lies in the fact that first a white frame is transmitted, and then a black one. To view content in this format, you will need special glasses;
- S/S - interlaced frame feed. For one eye, an image is presented with a double reduction in horizontal resolution. The volume of the picture is formed by 2 frames, which are formed from different lines;
- T/B - in this format, a three-dimensional image is formed according to the same principle as in the case of S/S. The only difference is that the frames are fed vertically rather than horizontally.
TV manufacturers are gradually abandoning support for 3D technology. She failed to live up to expectations. Today, active work is being done precisely in the direction of improving picture quality, and three-dimensional images are considered a relic of the past. A clear confirmation of this trend can be considered the policy of Philips. This is a well-known manufacturer whose equipment is in enormous demand. The company has not released TVs with 3D support since 2021.
Main video formats
A format or codec is a set of commands required to recognize the data in a file and convert it into video that is displayed on the screen. Their number is increasing every day, so manufacturers are constantly updating the firmware of TVs and teaching them to play an increasing number of codecs.
The main types of codecs that are highly popular include MKV, MPEG, H 264, XVID and DVX, as well as some others.
This is a type of video container similar to MOV, MPG and AVI codecs. May contain subtitles as well as multiple audio tracks placed in a single file format. Popular among high-quality video fans, it is used to broadcast content on the Internet. You can use the video in this extension to check the HDR capabilities of your TV set.
