What Does a Video Format Actually Do?

As you were probably aware, videos are stored in a variety of formats – just like most other types of media files. But what you may not know (at least not fully) is what video formats actually do.

In a broad sense, video formats are responsible for storing the data that makes up the video. To accomplish that they require two parts: A video codec and a video container.

Pixabay

“What Does a Video Codec Do?”

The video codec is the part of the format that is designed to compress the video data so that it can be stored in a manner that occupies less space. That is important seeing as uncompressed video data is very large, and can even range into hundreds of GB – or more.

To compress it the data is encoded using the video codec. That requires various compression algorithms that can either be lossless or lossy.

If the compression is lossless, the data can be decoded and decompressed at any time into an exact replica of the original. However if it is lossy some data that is considered redundant is discarded, and when the video is decoded it won’t be exactly the same as the original.

Most of the codecs you run into (and the videos that use them) are bound to be compressed using lossy compression to make them suitable for delivery. Lossless compression in videos is almost always only used during professional video production.

In order for the video to be viewed its data needs to be decoded, which requires either a hardware or software decoder. Both can play the video, but hardware decoders require less processing power.

If no decoders are present the video format won’t be supported, and the video won’t be able to be viewed.

“What Does a Video Container Do?”

In contrast to the codec, the video container’s role is a bit more ordinary: It acts as a wrapper that holds together all the video data as well as any other components that may be required.

Different containers support different range of components, which sometimes determine the features that are enabled in the video too. For example some may support captions, titles, chapters, menus, streaming, 3D video, and so on.

The video container is also responsible for the extension that the video is stored in. That being said some containers are very similar to one another, and for example if you want you could learn how to convert M4V to MP4 using Movavi Video Converter, or you could just rename the extension.

Suffice to say the extension is not the video format (contrary to popular belief) but just part of it.

 Conclusion

To sum it up the video container consists of both its container as well as its codec. Together they are in charge of the compression, compatibility, and the features that can be supported.

As you can imagine that makes the video format important in a practical sense as it will affect whether or not you can view certain videos, and the overall file size of the video too.

Continue reading »

What Is the Difference Between a Thesis and a Dissertation

As it is, most people even students cannot clearly state the difference between a Ph.D. dissertation and a thesis. This is not necessarily because they do not understand the terms, but rather because they are normally used interchangeably.

It is difficult to point out distinctive differences between the two terms unless we use a specific context like an individual university. The reason being, while one college may use them interchangeably, another one will define them apart.

Pixabay

That said, the following are some of the differences between a thesis and a dissertation.

Length

Generally, the length of an academic paper will mostly depend on the course being taken or the specifications of the instructor. However, even with all these discrepancies, most theses are usually shorter than dissertations.

To complete a thesis, a master’s student will only need one semester and this is the only project they undertake. On the other hand, the doctoral candidate takes several years to research and put together a dissertation. Some dissertations my even go up to four hundred pages depending on the specific program of study.

Structure

Even though the structures of theses and dissertations do not vary by a major margin, there are a few differences that can be observed. For instance, a thesis statement will only give a brief explanation of how an argument will be proven.

In contrast, a dissertation statement should have a clearly stated hypothesis that should be justified by the end of the project.

Nature of Research

A student doing their dissertation will be required to research extensively and get materials from many external sources. They are expected to be original even in the ideas they present and the matters they research about.

This explains why they also take longer periods of time to complete compared to theses. In contrast, thesis research does not have to be that involving.

Students use existing materials and refer to previous research projects to build on theirs. This helps in exhausting previous research projects with regard to the given suggestions.

Presentation

For both a thesis and a dissertation, the student is required to master the content and make an oral presentation to defend their project. However, the difference comes in the time required to defend each. A thesis defense can be done in just an hour while a dissertation defense may take several hours

Follow Up

In the case of a thesis, most students do not care what becomes of their project as long as they get a good grade out of it.

On the other hand, a doctoral student will research even more to develop and become an expert in the area they handled during their dissertation. A dissertation is done with the future in mind so that one can build on the findings.

Bottom Line

Even though the terms dissertation and thesis are often used interchangeably, the factors discussed here can be used to distinguish them. If you seek thesis writing help then you have an idea of how long it should take to have it done.

Continue reading »

How to Avoid the Most Common Financial Scams

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by PSECU, a Pennsylvania-based credit union.

Since the invention of money, shady shysters have sought to line their own pocketbooks off the blood, sweat and tears of others. Although no one wants to consider themselves a sucker, scammers continue to bilk people out of millions of dollars annually.

Source: Pixabay

Those seeking to defraud others prey on the good nature most people possess, as well as the emotions everyone experiences. Modern technology allows thieves new avenues for ripping off those caught unawares. However, those who educate themselves on common scam techniques can avoid falling victim.

Check, Please! 

In these uncertain financial times, who doesn't fantasize about receiving an unexpected check in the mail, a lucrative work-from-home position or both? Scammers attack the economically vulnerable, since they know poverty persuades many to believe an easier path to prosperity must exist.

Check-cashing scams often stem from legitimate employment searches. Cybercrooks target job-seekers with opportunities for easy income by processing checks for their overseas clientele. 

The thieves mail victims a realistic-looking check with instructions to cash it, return a certain amount via money-wiring services and keep the rest as their "salary."

Often, the checks appear so realistic, even banks don't catch the fraud until after the victim has spent their so-called wages. Victims then face hefty overcharge fees for all money cleared after depositing the fake check, and may face criminal conspiracy charges in extreme repeat cases. 

Avoiding this scam proves simple: Never cash checks from an unverified source and never wire funds back to the initial sender.

We Need You 

Most people possess generous spirits, and natural disasters prompt many to open their wallets to their charity of choice. However, those receiving solicitations for donations via phone, email or social media messages should hesitate before whipping out their credit card.

To avoid charity scams, only donate to well-known organizations. If contacted by phone by someone soliciting aid, inform the caller that a donation will be made through the charity's website.

Illegal Access 

Ironically, many online scammers trick victims into revealing their passwords and other important information, like credit card numbers, under the guise of needing to verify their identity due to a breach of their account.

Never provide email passwords, Social Security numbers or credit card information via email or to unsolicited phone callers.

When an email indicates a data breach, research online to see if others have experienced the same thing. Refrain from posting chain-letter breach scams on social media. Those silly "I got a friend request from myself" messenger threads only annoy those who recognize the hoax, so don't pass on any warnings not covered in the news.

I, Robocall 

Every day, millions of Americans pick up the phone, say hello - and meet with a robotic voice urging them not to hang up before learning how to cut credit card bills by two-thirds, qualify for student loan forgiveness or enjoy an all-expenses-paid cruise.

The best rule of thumb for dealing with robocalls? Simply hang up. Go even further by registering with the Federal Do-Not-Call list and reporting unwanted phone solicitations. The volume of calls may not decrease immediately, but multiple reports aid prosecutors in holding those responsible accountable.

Wire Me the Money

Wiring money to anyone but well-known family members overseas generally spells trouble. Wiring funds to unknown individuals means waving goodbye to cash that will likely never be recovered.

Exercise caution when an online merchant only accepts payment via wire, as legitimate vendors offer ways to pay that don't include a visit to Western Union. Bank wire scams often target those seeking to purchase prescription medications without a scrip from a doctor, especially in the U.S., where many lack health insurance and sufficient funds to visit a physician for regular med checkups.

The Tax Man Calls 

CPAs and enrolled agents advise their clients that taxing authorities initiate contact via U.S. mail, not phone or email, when sending correspondence. However, savvy scammers imitate IRS agents so well, thousands get suckered into paying nonexistent liabilities with gift cards.

Understand that all taxing authorities must follow certain rules of procedure when attempting to collect tax debt. The IRS website expressly informs taxpayers that the first step they take when collecting debt involves sending a snail-mail letter to the debtor's last known address.

Hang up on calls from people claiming to be tax collectors and contact the appropriate entity directly to determine if liability exists. Report repeated calls from the same number to the FCC or local law enforcement, who will aid in filing charges, if possible.

Stay Savvy and Safe

Criminals who fail at their pilfering schemes eventually give up and move on. Still, even when authorities apprehend one fraudster, others wait to take their place.

By ignoring unsolicited phone calls and emails and by verifying any amounts won or owed directly with the responsible institution, everyone can help prevent others from losing their shirts in shady scams.

Continue reading »