AVI and WAV 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.
WAV stores uncompressed PCM audio — the raw samples, exactly as captured. A stereo CD-quality minute is roughly 10 MB, which is the price of having no compression whatsoever.
- Where AVI files come from
- Old camcorders, legacy Windows software and archived downloads.
- Where WAV is used
- Recording sessions, sample libraries and audio editing.