TS and GIF explained
MPEG Transport Stream was designed for broadcast, where a receiver might tune in at any moment. It is built from small self-contained packets, which makes it resilient to errors but awkward to edit.
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 TS files come from
- AVCHD camcorders, TV recordings, and HLS streaming segments.
- Where GIF is used
- Reaction images, simple UI animations, and screen recordings shared in chat.