When downloading videos, you'll encounter various file formats. Understanding these formats helps you choose the right one for your device and use case.
Most Common Video Formats
MP4 (MPEG-4)
Best for: Universal compatibility
- Works on virtually all devices and players
- Good balance of quality and file size
- Supports subtitles and multiple audio tracks
- Ideal for mobile devices
Recommendation: Choose MP4 when downloading with Anolig Downloader unless you have specific needs.
MKV (Matroska)
Best for: High-quality archiving
- Supports unlimited audio, video, and subtitle tracks
- No quality loss during encoding
- Larger file sizes than MP4
- Not supported on all devices (especially older ones)
AVI (Audio Video Interleave)
Best for: Older systems
- Legacy format from Microsoft
- Large file sizes
- Limited compression
- Being replaced by MP4 and MKV
WebM
Best for: Web streaming
- Designed for internet streaming
- Good compression
- Open-source format
- Limited device support
Audio Formats
MP3
Most universal audio format. Good quality at reasonable file sizes. Supported everywhere.
M4A/AAC
Better quality than MP3 at same file size. Used by Apple devices. Widely supported.
FLAC
Lossless audio - perfect quality but large files. For audiophiles and archiving.
Choosing the Right Format
For Mobile Devices
Use MP4 for video, MP3 or M4A for audio. These formats ensure compatibility and reasonable file sizes.
For Computers
MP4 or MKV for video. MKV if you want multiple subtitle/audio tracks. MP3 or FLAC for audio.
For TV/Media Players
Check your device specifications. Most modern TVs support MP4 and MKV. Older devices may only support MP4 or AVI.
File Size Considerations
For a 2-hour 1080p movie:
- MP4: 2-4 GB (good compression)
- MKV: 4-8 GB (higher quality)
- AVI: 8-15 GB (poor compression)
Converting Between Formats
If you download a video in one format but need another, use free tools like HandBrake or VLC Media Player to convert. However, converting always results in some quality loss, so download in your preferred format when possible.
Anolig Downloader Format Support
Anolig Downloader automatically detects the best available format for each video. You can download in:
- MP4 (most common)
- WebM (for some platforms)
- Audio-only formats (MP3, M4A)
The software handles format selection intelligently, ensuring you get the best quality in the most compatible format.