AVI and GIF explained
AVI is a Microsoft container from 1992. It predates modern video compression and lacks features taken for granted today, such as proper support for variable frame rates and modern codec metadata.
GIF is a 1987 format limited to a 256-colour palette per frame, with support for simple animation and one fully transparent colour. Its longevity is cultural rather than technical — nothing about it is efficient by modern standards.
- Where AVI files come from
- Old camcorders, legacy Windows software and archived downloads.
- Where GIF is used
- Reaction images, simple UI animations, and screen recordings shared in chat.