Why does YouTube use WebM instead of H264?
YouTube uses WebM instead of H264 for several reasons:
- Royalty-Free: WebM is a royalty-free, open-source media file format, which means it doesn’t incur the licensing fees associated with the patented H264 standard.
- Web Optimization: WebM is optimized for online streaming and is designed to deliver high-quality video efficiently over the internet. This makes it particularly suitable for web browsers and services like YouTube, which require real-time video delivery.
- Reduced File Size: WebM files are generally smaller than H264 (MP4) files, which is beneficial for reducing bandwidth usage and improving loading times for web pages.
- Compatibility with Modern Browsers: WebM is highly compatible with modern web browsers, which is crucial for a platform like YouTube that aims to reach a broad audience across different browsers and devices.
Overall, the use of WebM by YouTube aligns with the platform’s need for a cost-effective, web-optimized video format that can be widely disseminated without the constraints of licensing fees.
