ogv

OGV, short for Ogg Video, refers to a filename extension used for video files stored in the Ogg multimedia container format. The Ogg container is an open, royalty-free framework developed by the Xiph.org Foundation to hold multiple streams—video, audio, and metadata—in a single file. An ogv file is primarily associated with preserving video data, typically alongside an audio stream.

Within the Ogg container, common video codecs include Theora, a free codec designed for use with Ogg. Audio streams in ogv files are usually encoded with Vorbis, though other open codecs such as Opus can also be used in some implementations. The Ogg container supports multiple synchronized streams and is designed to be extensible and non-proprietary, aligning with open-source software principles.

Usage and compatibility: ogv files are playable in many open-source media players, such as VLC, MPlayer, and ffmpeg-based tools. Support for ogv in web browsers has varied over time; HTML5 video implementations historically included ogv support but modern web media delivery has shifted toward other formats like WebM and MP4. Despite this shift, ogv remains relevant in open-source environments and projects that prioritize fully open standards.

See also: Ogg, Theora, Vorbis, Opus, WebM, open multimedia formats.