In the digital world, we send and receive many different types of files through email, FTP, DVD and other means. This page attemps to demystify the file and media types that are widely used today. This is not meant to be a complete list.
Video file types:
Flash (internet) = .flv
MPEG (internet, DVD, editing) = .mpg
AVI (editing) = .avi
Quicktime (internet, editing) = .mov
Windows Media Video (internet) = .wmv
Audio file types:
Wave = .wav
MP3 = .mp3
AIFF = .aif
Windows Media Audio = .wma
Image file types:
JPEG (pixel based-low and high quality)= .jpg
GIF (pixel based-web use-low quality) = .gif
Targa (pixel based-high quality) = .tga
TIFF (pixel based-high quality) = .tif
Photoshop (pixel based-high quality) = .psd
Illustrator (vector based-high quality) = .ai
EPS (vector based-high quality) = .eps
Media types:
CD+-R/RW – 700MB capacity (music CD, data files, VCD, SVCD)
DVD+-R/RW – 4.7GB capacity single layer (DVD Video, data files)
BD-R/RW (Blu-ray) - 25GB capacity single layer (HD video, data files)
Flash drive – (aka thumb drive/USB drive) for data storage/transport
SD Card – Secure Digital for data storage/transport
SDHC – new type Secure Digital High Capacity memory card
Compact Flash – memory card for data storage/transport
Memory Stick – memory card developed and sold by Sony
Hard Drive – mass data storage
Micro Drive – mini hard drive in a Compact Flash enclosure
