Filetypes
A Filetype (or Format) a filetype is the extension of your video/audio.
Video
VOB and small files
This is what you want. This is the most popular and most sought-after filetype. This is because they are most often the original files released by the master. VOBs can be burned onto a DVD. Some DVD players require that VOB files also include what are called small files. Small files, also known as “smalls” are often required the VOBs to play properly. Some traders won’t accept VOBs if small files are not also present. As a result, it is common courtesy to list not only the filetype of your video, but also whether or not they include smalls.
This is what you want. This is the most popular and most sought-after filetype. This is because they are most often the original files released by the master. VOBs can be burned onto a DVD. Some DVD players require that VOB files also include what are called small files. Small files, also known as “smalls” are often required the VOBs to play properly. Some traders won’t accept VOBs if small files are not also present. As a result, it is common courtesy to list not only the filetype of your video, but also whether or not they include smalls.
- VOB files can be played using the VLC Player, which is a free open-source application. To play the VOBs properly, I recommend you put them in a folder together with the smalls, and drag the folder into VLC. You can also select the folder manually through VLC's menus.
- .BUP stands for BackUP. Therefore, if you're (for example) missing "VIDEO_TS.IFO", you can make a copy of "VIDEO_TS.BUP" and rename the extension to ".IFO", and vice versa. The files are identical. The same principle applies to "VTS_01_0.BUP" and "VTS_01_0.IFO".
MP4
A controversial filetype indeed. If encoded correctly, this filetype will be of high quality. It’s better than VOB! However, not many people will trade for this filetype if there is a VOB version available instead. Why is that, you ask, if VOBs are way lower quality? That is because most MP4s tend to be taken (ripped) from boots that have been uploaded to youtube. Many new traders tend to make the mistake of downloading youtube videos and putting them up for trade. This is a quick way to earn a bad reputation, because youtube rips are consistently low quality. Some people try to get around this by converting MP4s to VOBs. That the worst idea in the world. Traders can tell when a video was originally a youtube rip. They will not accept a converted file. MP4s, as a result, have a terrible reputation amongst the community, which is a shame considering that it can be better than a VOB if correctly encoded. Some snail mail traders have old DVD players that won’t play MP4s, so that is another reason the older VOB files are more popular. As of around 2019 some video masters have started releasing in high quality MP4s, so this filetype's reputation is slowly becoming positive.
A controversial filetype indeed. If encoded correctly, this filetype will be of high quality. It’s better than VOB! However, not many people will trade for this filetype if there is a VOB version available instead. Why is that, you ask, if VOBs are way lower quality? That is because most MP4s tend to be taken (ripped) from boots that have been uploaded to youtube. Many new traders tend to make the mistake of downloading youtube videos and putting them up for trade. This is a quick way to earn a bad reputation, because youtube rips are consistently low quality. Some people try to get around this by converting MP4s to VOBs. That the worst idea in the world. Traders can tell when a video was originally a youtube rip. They will not accept a converted file. MP4s, as a result, have a terrible reputation amongst the community, which is a shame considering that it can be better than a VOB if correctly encoded. Some snail mail traders have old DVD players that won’t play MP4s, so that is another reason the older VOB files are more popular. As of around 2019 some video masters have started releasing in high quality MP4s, so this filetype's reputation is slowly becoming positive.
MKV
Pretty much the cousin of the MP4. It’s high quality if encoded correctly as well. It can be even better than the mp4, and can even store bluray quality files!
Pretty much the cousin of the MP4. It’s high quality if encoded correctly as well. It can be even better than the mp4, and can even store bluray quality files!
ISO
Basically a container like the MKV, except it also supports menus. This is ready to burn straight to dvd/blu-ray.
Basically a container like the MKV, except it also supports menus. This is ready to burn straight to dvd/blu-ray.
AVI
The middle ground between a VOB and an MP4.
The middle ground between a VOB and an MP4.
.MPEG, .MPG
A less strict version of the VOB. The VOB is still preferred.
A less strict version of the VOB. The VOB is still preferred.
Audio
MP3
A common, but lossy filetype. It's been around for years, and since it's birth far better ones have evolved. It's still good though, and there will usually be no audible difference between this filetype and others when listened to with the inexpensive headphones/speakers most people own.
A common, but lossy filetype. It's been around for years, and since it's birth far better ones have evolved. It's still good though, and there will usually be no audible difference between this filetype and others when listened to with the inexpensive headphones/speakers most people own.
WAV
Usually around 8GB and lossless. You know the master knows that they're doing if they record in WAV. Some masters edit their WAVs down to lossy filetypes to conserve space but preserve the sound quality.
Usually around 8GB and lossless. You know the master knows that they're doing if they record in WAV. Some masters edit their WAVs down to lossy filetypes to conserve space but preserve the sound quality.
FLAC
Yet another lossless filetype. Common amongst music album collectors.
Yet another lossless filetype. Common amongst music album collectors.
M4A
A filetype used by Apple devices. In general, it tends to be better quality than MP3, and smaller in size. It's sort of like Apple's evolved version of the MP3.
A filetype used by Apple devices. In general, it tends to be better quality than MP3, and smaller in size. It's sort of like Apple's evolved version of the MP3.
