Imovie '11 - export format confusion - m4v = mov = H.264?

Greetings,
iMovie '11
When I use Share > Export I get the "Save As" dialog box. If I select Mobile, Medium, or Large, the file type is .m4v. If I select HD 720p or HD 1080p, the file type is .mov. When I view them with QuickTime Player 7, then according to the Inspector, they are all in H.264 format. The .m4v files open in iTunes by default, whereas the HD files open in QT7 by default. What is the point of this mess? Please explain.
AEF

betaneptune wrote:
... What is the point of this mess? Please explain.
'Format' is very unspecific when it comes to media as video.
There's CODECS and there's CONTAINERS, or wrappers:
h264 is a codec; a computer needs a wrapper, a box to identify such data as 'video', there's no such thing as 'naked' h264 in the wild. . such a box could be avi, or mov. Or m4v. Or .mts. Or AVCHD .. = all can contain h264. Different box, different purposes, some say 'standards' ...
Another example: mpeg2 ... is a codec. can appear as .mp2. can appear inside a mov. can appear inside a VIDEO_TS aka 'videoDVD'.-
Next: flv. NO codec. A wrapper. Can contain h264. Can contain VP6. If h264 is inside, no need for 'flash video', which is property of Adobe.-
Finally, just to confuse you: mpeg4. Is a codec. can appear as .mp4. BUT .mp4 is a wrapper too, can contain h264, as 'videos' for a Playstation4 ...
If you're not interested in what some lunatic engineers invent, simply use the presets in any export-dialog. does work.-

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Message was edited by: AppleMan1958

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Message was edited by: Skatingskis
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2cute2b2smart wrote:
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compression H.264
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Imovie '11 - export format confusion - m4v = mov = H.264?

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