Video format
The AVI format
AVI is Windows’ original video container, common for older camcorder files and downloads. Microsoft introduced AVI in 1992 for Video for Windows; it was the standard download and camcorder format for more than a decade.
When to use AVI
Choose AVI only when an old player, TV box or piece of software insists on it.
It is best for old Windows software and hardware players that expect it, and it opens on Windows Media Player and VLC; no browser or iPhone plays it.
How to open it: VLC plays almost every AVI; Windows Media Player plays most.
| Full name | Audio Video Interleave |
|---|---|
| Extensions | .avi |
| MIME type | video/x-msvideo |
| Introduced | 1992 |
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | MPEG-4 Part 2 (DivX or Xvid) video with MP3 audio |
| Support | Legacy format |
| Typical size | Often two to three times the size of a modern MP4 |
Good at
- Plays in old Windows software and DVD players with DivX support
Not so good at
- Large files for the quality
- No browser or iPhone playback
- Rejected by nearly every upload
The common mistake
AVI is only a wrapper. The same extension can hide DivX, Xvid, MJPEG or uncompressed video, which is why one AVI plays and the next doesn’t.
Compare AVI with
Questions
What is an AVI file?
AVI (Audio Video Interleave) is Windows’ original video container, common for older camcorder files and downloads. Microsoft introduced AVI in 1992 for Video for Windows; it was the standard download and camcorder format for more than a decade.
How do I open an AVI file?
VLC plays almost every AVI; Windows Media Player plays most.
How do I convert AVI to another format?
Pick the target on this page, or open the Video Converter, drop the AVI file and choose a format. It converts in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.