The AVI format is based on the Resource Interchange File Format (RIFF). MICROSOFT INTRODUCED the AVI format in 1992. It is still commonly used today. AVI is a video file saved in the Audio Video Interleave multimedia container format created by Microsoft. It stores video and audio encoded in various codecs, including DivX and XviD. AVI files have a ‘.avi’ extension. This file format contains multimedia streams in an AVI container. Windows 10 and Mac users can also store media files with the RIFF format. The AVI format was initially released to store multimedia.
An AVI file takes the form of a RIFF header. The header is divided into mandatory chunks and an optional chunk. The first chunk stores codec information to decompress the file. This format is a good choice for synchronized playback of different media. AVI does not restrict the encoding process used for the contents. Container files like AVI contain various files within them, often audio and video data.
The original AVI format lacked time stamps. This was added later with the OpenDML AVI Extensions. File compression tools can reduce AVI file size but do not change the format. The best conversion approach depends on specific needs. Converters allow format change while compressors reduce file size.
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