I am thinking of creating a screen recording app and wondered if HTML5 code can do it.
I doubt it at first, but then I found the solution, RecordRTC | WebRTC Audio+Video+Screen Recording… which led me to WebRTC.
It works beautifully, though it’s still an ongoing project, and records video in WebM or GIF.
Animated GIFs are quite well known, but what is WebM?
As video makers, we need to know which video formats we are dealing with when recording, editing and publishing. We must know what’s obsolete and what’s new.
What’s So Great About WebM?
It’s a new video format to look out for. Introduced in 2010, it is now taking shape.
- WebM video plays directly in your web browser using HTML5
- Very high video quality
- Great video playback performance, even on older computers
- 100% free and open to everyone
- Supported on popular video sites like YouTube
What is WebM?
- WebM is an open media file format designed for the web. WebM files consist of video streams compressed with the VP8 or VP9 video codec, audio streams compressed with the Vorbis or Opus audio codecs, and WebVTT text tracks. The WebM file structure is based on the Matroska media container.
- WebM is an open-source project sponsored by Google.
- The file name ends with “.webm”.
What are VP8 and VP9?
- VP8 and VP9 are highly efficient video compression technologies (video “codecs”) developed by the WebM Project. Anyone may use these codecs royalty-free. VP8 and VP9 deliver high-quality video while efficiently reduce storage requirements.
What are Vorbis and Opus?
- Vorbis and Opus are open-source audio compression technologies (audio “codecs”) developed by the Xiph Foundation. Like VP8 and VP9, these technologies are free-to-use.
What is WebVTT?
- WebVTT (Web Video Text Tracks) is an internet standard for displaying timed text in connection with the HTML5element. The primary purpose of WebVTT files is to add text overlays to a video.
How to play WebM videos?
Most modern web browsers can play WebM video without installing anything extra.
How to edit WebM videos?
Not all editing software recognise WebM video format. For Adobe Premiere Pro, we may need to install a WebM plug-in.
How to convert WebM to other video formats?
If we need to edit the WebM video but your video editing software cannot handle it, then convert the WebM video with these tools.
- http://www.zamzar.com/convert/webm-to-mp4/
- https://convertio.co/webm-mp4/
- https://www.onlineconverter.com/webm-to-mp4
Adrian Lee
VIDEOLANE.COM
PS:
- By the way, there is also a new WebP format for images.
- If you are still using .avi, please move away from that. It’s a dinosaur.
- Remember Flash videos for the web? That’s going away too. WebM is taking over.
- I am still learning new things too. Feel free to ask a question.
- Sign up for the upcoming 2-day Camera Videography and Video Editing Course for Beginners [in Singapore].
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