Summary:
AVI is a video container introduced in 1992 by Microsoft with Video for Windows. It can contain video and audio streams encoded with DivX and Xvid. AVIs use low compression, resulting in larger file sizes than modern video formats.
I have an AVI file that’s huge, and it won’t play on my Mac. Is something wrong with the file?
Dealing with the same problem is a common frustration with legacy video files. AVI’s low compression makes the file size larger, while its codec compatibility issues cause playback problems on newer devices. This post will explain what is AVI further and why it behaves differently from newer formats. You’ll also learn how to play it on different devices and convert to modern formats when needed.
AVI file is a container format introduced in 1992 by Microsoft. It is created as part of Microsoft’s Video for Windows technology. It can contain synchronized media streams encoded with Xvid and DivX codecs in one file.
AVI Variants:
1. DV-AVI, or Digital Video AVI, is a type of AVI container that wraps Digital Video (DV) encoded video and audio data.
2. An uncompressed AVI contains raw video and audio data wrapped in an AVI container, with no compression applied.
3. H.264-AVI is a combination of container and codec: H.264 is the codec used in AVI to compress the video inside the AVI container.
PROS
CONS
Windows 11’s default Media Player app can play AVI, but success depends on the codec used. The default player only supports MPEG-4, MJPEG, or Uncompressed PCM/MS ADPCM audio.
Apple devices, including Macs and iPhones, have no native support for AVI playback. To open AVI files on iPhone/Mac, you need to use a dedicated AVI player.
If Windows, Mac, or iPhone refuses to play AVI videos, use VLC Media Player. It can play almost any media file you name, including AVI encoded with old and standard codecs.
AnyMP4 AVI Player is a premium player with advanced playback features and HD media support. Aside from Blu-rays, it can also play any file you throw at it, including AVI. It supports AVI containers encoded with DivX, XviD, H.264, MSMPEGV3, MSMPEGV2, and MJPEG.
Here’s how to open AVI files:
1. Download AnyMP4 AVI Player, install it, and complete the setup.
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Click Open File in the home interface and select the AVI video you want to open.
2. After loading, it will start playing immediately. You can use the controls below to pause, resume, and stop the AVI playback.
AnyMP4 AVI Player can efficiently handle HD video streams, traditional, and legacy encoding formats. Its hardware acceleration can also process heavily compressed AVIs without buffering.
AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate is a secure conversion software that converts AVI to MP4 locally. It can process hundreds of AVI videos simultaneously without lag or crashes. AnyMP4 also uses the most advanced hardware-accelerating media processing to achieve a 120× conversion speed.
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1. Download the FLV-to-MP4 converter and complete the installation. After setup, the software opens to the Converter tab and click +Add Files to import the AVI videos.
2. Head to Output Format and select MP4 under the Video category. Select Same as Source as your quality preset to convert AVI to MP4 without losing quality.
3. Back to the main interface and turn on Hardware Acceleration to speed up the conversion. Set the folder path, then click Convert All to start the conversion.
AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate is a multi-format video-to-video conversion software. It means you’re not limited to converting AVI to MP4. You can also convert AVI to MKV, MOV, WebM, and 500+ other media formats.
CloudConvert is an online media and file type conversion service that offers a free tier. You can convert an AVI file with a maximum file size of 1 GB to different video formats.
AVI vs MP4 vs WMV are video containers associated with different generations of video technology. This section will help you better understand their distinctions.
| AVI | MP4 | WMV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | Microsoft | Moving Picture Experts Group | Microsoft |
| Compression | Can be both lossy and lossless | Lossy | Lossy |
| File Size (3-minute 1080p video) | 300 MB to 1.5 GB | 110 to 600 MB | 150 to 400 MB |
| Compatibility | Windows OS | Universal | Windows OS |
| Common Usage | Storing, editing, and archiving | Storing and streaming | Web streaming and home video archiving |
| Verdict | Keep for raw video editing and archiving old media | Standard for streaming, sharing, and saving videos | Archiving older Windows-based files |
If the video plays but the AVI file won’t play no sound, it contains an audio codec that your default player cannot decode. To fix it, convert AVI to MP4 and set the audio codec to AAC.
A missing-codec error means the media player cannot decode streams within the AVI container. Be sure to use a media player with broader codec support, such as AnyMP4 AVI Player.
AVI takes up too much space because it often uses uncompressed video. To reduce the file size, you can convert it to a newer format or compress the AVI video directly.
What does AVI mean and what is it?
AVI means Audio Video Interleave. It is a multimedia container that can hold video and audio data. It uses various codecs to store compressed or uncompressed data.
Is DivX the same as AVI?
No, they are not the same. DivX is a video compression codec, whereas AVI is a container. Think of AVI as a box, and DivX is the item inside that box.
Which is better: AVI or WMV?
It depends on your intended use. AVI is a better format for editing because it can store uncompressed data. But if you use the file for online sharing, WMV is the better format.
AVI still has a place in media consumption, editing, and video archival. Understanding what is AVI makes the playback problem easier to determine: AVI is a container that can hold streams in different codecs. It means it may work for one player but fail for another. If your default player does not support AVI playback, use AnyMP4 AVI Player for a feature-rich viewing experience. If your goal is to play AVI on Apple devices or share it online, create an MP4 copy using AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate. It can convert AVI files, with options to adjust video and audio encoders, frame rate, bitrate, sample rate, and other settings.
Updated by Alice Thorne to GlossaryMore readings
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