MP4 and AAC explained
MP4 is a container, not a codec. It usually holds H.264 video and AAC audio, and that specific combination is the closest thing the internet has to a universal video format.
AAC is the successor to MP3 and is the default audio codec for MP4 video, Apple Music and YouTube. At the same bitrate it generally sounds noticeably better than MP3.
- Where MP4 files come from
- Phone cameras, screen recorders, and every video streaming platform.
- Where AAC is used
- Streaming services, video soundtracks and Apple devices.