Quicktimefileformat

Action Plan: Quicktime File Format - QTV Apple

Last Updated 12/05/2013

Description:  A multimedia container file which can contain audio, video, effects and subtitles. A proprietary Apple, Inc. format with specifications available here, it is made up "atoms," the basic unit of data comprising a QuickTime file. The MPEG-4 file format is often described as having evolved from the second version of the QuickTime File Format (QTFF).

Software:  Apple Quicktime Pro is used for saving or converting individual QTFF files. .Mov files can be played with VLC media player, iTunes , Windows Media Player and many others. MediaInfo is useful for identification of codecs and file characteristics.

Long Term Preservation Plan: The Quicktime File Format is a proprietary format with an open, public specification. While still widely used, there are signs that it is being overtaken in popularity by file wrappers such as MPEG-4. The format remains popular and every major browser can support it. There is very little danger at of QTFF files becoming unaccessible in the near future. Migration is not at present recommended.

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