For online streaming, which formats are commonly used for video delivery?

• A. H.264 or H.265 with variable frame rate and bitrate
• B. JPEG 2000 with 24fps
• C. MPEG-2 with fixed bitrate
• D. ProRes RAW

Answer: (A)

Video delivery over the internet relies on codecs that balance quality and bandwidth and work well across devices. H.264 and H.265 (AVC/HEVC) are the standard choices because they compress video efficiently and are supported by almost all browsers, devices, and streaming platforms. They also handle variable frame rates and variable bitrates, which is key for adaptive streaming: the encoder provides multiple quality levels and the player switches between them in real time to cope with changing network conditions. That adaptability keeps playback smooth even on slower connections.

The other options don’t fit typical online streaming. JPEG 2000 is mainly used for high-quality cinema/post workflows and isn’t practical for web delivery due to less universal support and higher bandwidth. MPEG-2 with a fixed bitrate is older and far less efficient for streaming at the same quality. ProRes RAW is a production-focused format with large file sizes and limited streaming compatibility, not a common delivery choice for online video.