mov versus mp4 for recording, editing and publishing

Report · Jun 26, 2018

I have been doing my homework and I still cannot arrive at the right answers.

Let me start with what I know already.

People in blogs online are saying that mov and mp4 are both containers and the contents are the same/interchangeable.

If mov uses one format to create video files and mp4 uses a different format to create video files, therein lies the difference.

I heard in a video that mov compresses more frames than mp4 and mp4 interpolates the in between frames more.

I am not sure if this is still true because both formats using the same bitrate create the same size file.

My question is... When blending two mov videos "or" two mp4 videos together in Premiere, which video from what container will blend using less computing headroom?

I like to add Prodad Vitascene effects and add Premiere effects.

I have an i9 12 core PC with Nvidia 1080 TI but I can still bring it to a crawl with too many effects.

Which video container files will be less processor intensive during editing and allow me to preview the edits to some degree without bogging down the system?

My Panasonic HC-X1000 will record in both mov or mp4 at 4k 60p with 150m

I assume the files will pretty much look exactly the same and be pretty near the same size also...

But will they mix and respond the same in Premiere when trying to blend them together?

I have had one youtube video I watched say that I am better off setting my camera to record to the mov container file and then edit it in Premiere and export it as an mp4 for viewing and upload. Why?

How does this mov file respond to editing better and what are the reasons?

And what about metadata?

How is that handled in both cases and what are the pros and cons of each file container?

I have never really had problems editing 4k 60p with MP4 files they seem to work fine in Premiere but I have not tried using mov files at 4k 60p and compared the editing experience?

The online info on these file containers are scant and not very reputable.

One video this person says look the mov files make the file darker because they edit your files! I would assume if both are compressing the video they are both "editing" the files.

This is where the question of metadata comes in.

Will I get a better editing experience using mov files over mp4 or should I just stick with mp4 throughout the whole process?

I get the impression that since Quicktime player was discontinued that mov file are not getting much development or love from Apple.

Mov files are more proprietary and I am not sure that rendering them down into an mp4 will not take even longer and if Youtube will be able to interpret the footage as well as they do my mp4 containers. Will the mov video files somehow alter the mp4 container?

And how about editing with mov or mp4 in After Effects, another whole consideration for me...

I probably need to read a big thick book on this subject but if someone could give an overview opinion on these questions I have laid out I would greatly appreciate the help.

Thanks in advance.

RexRed

Report · Jun 26, 2018

The container won't affect performance. The codec will.

While the MP4 format is based on QuickTime, it doesn't seem to suffer any of the bugs of QuickTime (such as the darker issue you heard mentioned), so I recommend using MP4 over MOV in all cases where a choice is offered. For client delivery especially, MP4 is far more ubiquitous than MOV.

For YouTube uploads, however, I actually recommend MOV...but only because that is (unfortunately) your only choice for the Cineform codec, which I've observed has a better end result on YouTube over H.264.

Report · Jun 26, 2018

I looked at the camera you have online and the best I could gather is that it is likely you are recording on SD card(s)

8 bit 4.2.0 and both mov and mp4 would be H264 codec.

The codec is what's INSIDE the "wrapper". There are different codecs that can go inside many of the wrappers used in video land.

Yours from SD card would be H264. You can use mediainfo (from soundforge for free ) and drop a small sample video file into the shortcut you put on desktop, use TREE VIEW, and see what you got for video and sound.

ANY time you edit H264 it is very demanding on all computers. Sometimes people record to external recorders to get other options. Your camera allows you to record to an external device ( like Atomos ) but that means lugging around another item connected to your camera with a wire ( HDMI probably ). Then you would get something like

10 bit, 4.2.2 DNxHD or Pro Res in mov wrapper. After editing those files you can then export in any of the codecs offered by PPro.

: )

Report · Jun 26, 2018

whoops, forgot to mention....

If you record to an external gadget ( highly unlikely, but just in case ) be aware THE SOUND will be recorded 3-5 frames BEFORE your video. Meaning, it will be out of sync with the mic on your camera. SLATE one shot each time you shoot using your various options and that will give you the exact frame count, so you can correct all your clips.

I don't know particulars for recording above full HD, so you'd have to research what is up with that stuff re: external device and what codecs are available etc.

Report · Jun 26, 2018

Here is link to recording gadget.

I doubt you'll get this, and that's not the point, to show you gadget ...

The point is that the more you learn (do your own research based on info you got from replies here ) about the external recorder the more you will understand your OWN camera, what it is doing internally and what decisions you should make re: editing stuff, exporting, etc.

B&H Photo Video

: )

good luck !

Report · Jun 27, 2018

Oooo, I really like that gadget!!! Pricey, but worth it I am sure! It is like carrying around a very powerful hand held PC!!!

Excellent tip Rodney! And so is your tip Jim!

Thanks for taking the time to respond peeps!

I think I will stick with MP4 even though my camera will record in both.

My camera lists the codex in order and mov is at the top as if it is somehow higher quality.

I have seen some really spectacular 4k mov footage but I have also seen very nice mp4 footage, especially on Youtube.

I am just looking for a codec that will give me the best headroom when editing. If indeed mov and mp4 are using the same codec then I might as well just stick with mp4.

I am going to look into exporting for youtube in the cineform codec. Worth learning about and pursuing that option if Youtube handles it better in its own processing step. Although, I have gotten really nice results from youtube and my 4k mp4 uploads in 60p.

I will study that cineform option and look for examples and if it is better I will try it.

Excellent advice!

I will probably record in mp4 for now I really cannot complain about the quality and I would love the external recorder but I am still recovering from the expense of the Panasonic camera which I am really exceedingly happy with.

It is almost as if the Panasonic camcorder has that recording device built inside but it relies on cards to record and proprietary locked in codecs.

The cards are inexpensive right now and the camcorder has dual card slots which is really nice.

I will put the external recording device on my wish list!

Report · Jun 27, 2018

Codecs and Containers - the wonderful world of video files - YouTube

This video boggles my mind!

Can someone please talk about these intra and inter frame codecs?

It think my camera in both mov and mp4 are employing the h264 interframe codec. (so it seems)

There is also this thing called All-I compression, my camera has this but does not seem to offer it for 4k 60p.

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems this All-I compression is the intraframe compression.

Picking mov over mp4 is moot if they are both employing the interframe compression standard.

Might it be better to convert the h264 file to an intraframe file for smooth editing then convert it back or would re-sampling the file just degrade the quality?

Just a thought.