<p>Most of the common video files are containers (like *.mp4, *.mkv) - they can hold different type of streams (video, audio, subtitles, data) and some additional description of these streams (metadata). There are also some video files with a raw video data (like *.h264) - they are representing single video stream and they can also be used with some video players.
(<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_file_format" rel="nofollow noreferrer">more info about video files</a>)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-02T20:42:25.353Z
2022-02-02T20:42:25.353Z
Lex
<p>I am creating a software related to video editing.<br>
So, I need to understand what is a video file, how is it created and how does it work?<br>
One thing that I want to achieve is: I want to be able to add chapters to existing videos that can be used in vlc media players <code>Chapters</code> option in the <strong>Playback</strong> menu
<br><br>
This question may sound weird. But please consider that I am completely new to realm of <code>video construction/editing/creating</code> and I don't find any resource to start learning from<br><br>
Any suggestion gratefully received. Thanks in advance.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-10T17:44:41.857Z
Hi Dron - welcome. You have a few questions in there, and they can all be answered in different ways, so can you please edit it down to one question. Before doing that, please read other questions on video file structure as we have quite a few here and they may answer your needs.
Dr Mayhem
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-13T16:01:49.887Z
@DrMayhem Can you mention some resource to to start learning how videos work... the mechanism behind videos -- any resource on this topic... excluding Wikipedia
Dron Bhattacharya
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-13T16:04:20.153Z
@DrMayhem I can understand that this question is a mess. As I said I am just a newbie to this topic. You can edit this question if you can understand my intention behind this question.
Dron Bhattacharya
<ffmpeg><editing><encoding><file-formats><recommendation>
What is the anatomy of a video file?
Dron Bhattacharya
# What is the anatomy of a video file?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-02-02)

I am creating a software related to video editing.  
So, I need to understand what is a video file, how is it created and how does it work?  
One thing that I want to achieve is: I want to be able to add chapters to existing videos that can be used in vlc media players `Chapters` option in the **Playback** menu
  
  
This question may sound weird. But please consider that I am completely new to realm of `video construction/editing/creating` and I don't find any resource to start learning from  
  
Any suggestion gratefully received. Thanks in advance.

**Tags:** ffmpeg, editing, encoding, file-formats, recommendation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Hi Dron - welcome. You have a few questions in there, and they can all be answered in different ways, so can you please edit it down to one question. Before doing that, please read other questions on video file structure as we have quite a few here and they may answer your needs.  
> **username_0**: @DrMayhem Can you mention some resource to to start learning how videos work... the mechanism behind videos -- any resource on this topic... excluding Wikipedia  
> **username_0**: @DrMayhem I can understand that this question is a mess. As I said I am just a newbie to this topic. You can edit this question if you can understand my intention behind this question.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2022-02-02. Score: 0

Most of the common video files are containers (like \*.mp4, \*.mkv) - they can hold different type of streams (video, audio, subtitles, data) and some additional description of these streams (metadata). There are also some video files with a raw video data (like \*.h264) - they are representing single video stream and they can also be used with some video players.
([more info about video files](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_file_format))


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