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Matroska File Format with FFV1 video encoding

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Format Description Properties Explanation of format description terms

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full name Matroska File Format with FFV1 video encoding
Description Matroska file containing video essence encoded as FFV1.

Supported encodings are declared via the unique Codec ID in the Matroska Codec Mappings. For FFV1 files, the information is the following:

  • Codec ID: V_FFV1
  • Codec Name: FF Video Codec 1 (note that versions are not declared in the title)
  • Initialization: For FFV1 versions 0 or 1, Private Data SHOULD NOT be written. For FFV1 version 3 or greater, the Private Data MUST contain the FFV1 Configuration Record structure, as defined in RFC 9043 section 4.3, and no other data.
Production phase Middle state, used for storage or archiving
Relationship to other formats
    Subtype of Matroska, Matroska Multimedia Container
    Contains FFV1_v0-1-3, FF Video Codec 1, Version 0, 1 and 3
    May contain Sound essences and other elements, not described at this time.

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdings As of November 2021, the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) has ingested several hundred ffv1/mkv files. These files were received from CUNY-TV through the American Archive of Public Broadcasting and the Library will receive many more of these files through the AAPB in the future.
LC preference FFV1 codec in the Matroska container is a 'preferred' format in the Recommended Formats Statement (RFS) for Video -- File-based Improved support for timecode, as opposed to timestamps, is still in development as is support for multi-planar and 3D videos.

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

Disclosure See Matroska and FFV1_v0-1-3.
    Documentation See Matroska and FFV1_v0-1-3.
Adoption Steadily increasing adoption of Matroska and FFV1_v0-1-3 in heritage repositories, including the Library of Congress in 2023.
    Licensing and patents See Matroska and FFV1_v0-1-3.
Transparency See Matroska and FFV1_v0-1-3.
Self-documentation See Matroska and FFV1_v0-1-3.
External dependencies See Matroska and FFV1_v0-1-3.
Technical protection considerations See Matroska and FFV1_v0-1-3.

Quality and functionality factors Explanation of format description terms


File type signifiers and format identifiers Explanation of format description terms

Tag Value Note
Filename extension See related format.  See Matroska
Pronom PUID See note.  See Matroska.
Wikidata Title ID See note.  See Matroska.

Notes Explanation of format description terms

General  
History  

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms


Useful references

URLs


Last Updated: 10/13/2023