Vidéo

Vidéo is the French term for moving-image media. In general use, the word denotes electronic capture, processing, and display of moving pictures accompanied by synchronized sound. It can refer to the medium as a whole or to individual recordings or broadcasts.

Technically, video encompasses the chain from capture with a camera to storage, processing, and playback. Analog video, once common in broadcast systems, relied on continuous signal variations and standardized formats such as NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. Digital video encodes moving pictures as discrete samples, using codecs such as H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, VP9, or AV1, and is stored in containers such as MP4 or MKV. Streaming video uses adaptive bitrates and delivery protocols (for example HLS or DASH) to accommodate varying network conditions.

Historically, video emerged in the 20th century with television and videotaping technologies that allowed recording and later playback. The introduction of consumer video recorders in the 1970s and 1980s popularized home viewing and archiving. The digital revolution accelerated with broadband internet, digital compression, and on-demand streaming in the late 1990s and 2000s, culminating in widespread online video platforms and mobile viewing.

Today, video is produced and consumed across devices—from smartphones and cameras to computers and televisions. Editing software, cameras, and favorable bandwidth have led to a vast ecosystem of content creation and distribution, including broadcast services, physical media, and online platforms. Accessibility features, licensing, and copyright considerations influence how video is produced and shared.