AVI

Audio Video Interleave

A multimedia container format that was introduced by Microsoft in 1992 as part of its Video for Windows technology. AVI files can contain both audio and video data in a single file, allowing for synchronized playback of audio and video streams.

The AVI format uses a chunk-based structure derived from the Resource Interchange File Format (RIFF). This structure enables the storage of multiple streams of audio, video, and metadata in various codecs within a single file. However, due to its age and the wide range of available codecs, AVI files may sometimes have compatibility issues with certain media players or devices.

While AVI was once a popular choice for video storage and playback, it has been largely replaced by more advanced and efficient container formats such as MP4, MKV, and MOV. These newer formats offer better compression, improved streaming capabilities, and support for additional features, such as subtitles and chapters.

• Abbreviation: AVI