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Video Events

The Best Video File Types

March 23, 2012  by Betsy Johnson

As technology evolves, there is an ever-increasing number of file types for distributing your video. So which is which? Which file type is best for each project? And what do all those lettered file extensions stand for, anyway?  To help better understand them, we’ve come up with a primer of a few commonly used file types to help you weed through the many, many options available. These are just some of the many – and the preferences and uses are constantly changing.

Extension Stands for Best for…
MOV/QuickTime QuickTime Developed by Apple, but supported on both Windows and Apple computers. For movies with sound.
WMV Windows Media Video Streaming and downloading from the web; compression; video on Windows computers. It can be anywhere from low-quality to high-def video depending on the compression.
MPEG4/H264 Moving Picture Experts Group 4 Streaming and downloadable web content as well as broadcast content. Has a higher compression. H264 also comes in an “Apple version,” which is used for high-quality video.
MPEG Moving Picture Experts Group There is a variety of MPEG formats. MPEG1 is mainly made for PowerPoint presentations and web-based videos. MPEG2 is mainly for creating DVDs and broadcast content.
AVI Audio/Visual Interleaved Storing and playing back movie clips with sound on Windows PCs. Considered a much older format and not used as often – doesn’t compress as well as newer formats.
FLV/SWF Flash video Online videos using Adobe Flash Player.
3GP Third Generation Partnership Project Video generated on 3G mobile phones.

We generally steer clients away from using AVI, since it’s an older, less efficient file type; the same goes for MPEG1. Flash (FLV/SWF) is not really supported anymore in the video world (you can’t even see a Flash website on an Apple portable device!), so we try to find other options for those videos too. We’ve noted that MOV/QuickTime is the preferred file type at Tri-Marq, but we can convert any file type if they are in a different format.

In the coming weeks, check back to see our discussion as we get more in-depth about video, including what you really want to know: Just what can we upload to YouTube??

Posted in Video ProductionTagged 3gp, apple, avi, codec, file, file type, flash, flv, h264, mov, mpeg1, mpeg4, prores, quicktime, streaming video, swf, tri-marq, trimarq, video, wmv, youtube

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@aurorahealthcare wanted to create a video showcas @aurorahealthcare wanted to create a video showcasing the state-of-the-art care facilities at Aurora Sinai Medical Center, it’s community partners, and the programs they offer to people in downtown Milwaukee, many who lack access to care. It features how the spirit of the Aurora teammates feeling connected to one another, living the purpose and mission, working in sync to make sure they’re all driving towards the same goal to help people meet their health care needs.

The story is told by Dr. Iroegbu, President of Aurora Sinai Medical Center & Aurora St. Luke’s South Shore through an interview we recorded on location. The powerful, yet straightforward story is elevated by combining beautiful b-roll footage, graphics and soundtrack. Tri-Marq is proud to have created this compelling and informative video to promote Aurora’s commitment to the Milwaukee community.

Tri-Marq conducted three days on location recording interviews and b-roll footage, in multiple locations. In addition, Tri-Marq handled project management, creative design, on-site production, editing, sound/audio design, color correction, and script writing.

#trimarq #videoproduction #milwaukee #healthcare #locationshoot
Tri-Marq was proud to once again produce the 11th Tri-Marq was proud to once again produce the 11th annual Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) Icebreaker event at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. The stage setup featured a color-changing Titan Tube backdrop that complimented the Chamber’s EUREKA branding with hidden exclamation points.

The event hosted over 800 business and community leaders and featured keynote speakers speakers from companies around Wisconsin. 

In addition to handling all pre-production, CAD renderings, and stage and lighting design, the Tri-Marq event team was on-site managing all run-of-show duties.

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It was a busy week! Attendees got to hear from keynote speaker and award-winning NYT author, Jeremy Gutsche, connect in interactive breakout sessions, and enjoy performances from local dance troupes and a percussion group.

As full-service Show Producers, we think about the overall meeting experience, so Tri-Marq incorporated the brand wherever possible, including designing the company logo out of Titan Tube lighting as a stage backdrop. Tri-Marq also handled all pre-production planning, CAD renderings, site visits, management of run-of-show, speaker rehearsals, and more.

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Last month, our client, The Association of Equipme Last month, our client, The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) hosted “World of Asphalt” in St. Louis, Missouri. As the leading asphalt trade show, the conference attracts industry manufacturers and service providers to showcase their latest products. 

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