output format
MKV
Save ShareX captures as MKV — when to use this format, quality and file size comparison, and how to set it as your default output.
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AVI Format in ShareX
AVI (Audio Video Interleave) is a legacy Microsoft video container format. It can contain video encoded with various codecs, making it flexible but dated for modern workflows.
AVI Characteristics
- Container format — AVI is a wrapper, not a codec itself
- Large file sizes — Typically much larger than MP4 or WebM
- Widely compatible — Supported by virtually all media players
- Limited streaming — Not optimized for web streaming or progressive download
- Legacy format — Developed in 1992, lacks modern features
When to Use AVI
AVI is rarely the best choice today, but it has niche uses:
- Legacy software compatibility — Some older video editors only import AVI
- Intermediate format — Uncompressed AVI for video editing (though there are better options now)
- Specific hardware — Some capture cards and devices output AVI
- Niche workflows — When your toolchain specifically requires AVI
Why Not AVI for Most Users
- MP4 is smaller, higher quality, and more widely compatible today
- WebM is better for web content
- AVI files are unnecessarily large for screen recordings
- Modern codecs (H.264, VP9) provide far better compression
For screen recordings in ShareX, MP4 (H.264) is the recommended default.
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