I don't think there is a way to simplify the explanation of codecs. wrappers and containers.  

That's why your clients need highly paid consultants like you to educate, explain and interpret.  Wikipedia is a great starting point, IMO.

I can't tell you how many times a client has said, "Send me a Quicktime," as if that's all I need to hear. 

On Oct 17, 2012, at 3:06 PM, Mike Abbott wrote:

 

Hi all,

I've got a UK based client working in the PR / marketing world who has to deal with video, but how has no video or digital graphics background, and therefore virtually no knowledge of things such as standards, containers and encodings.

 

I'd like to point him in the direction of a reasonably authoritative document that can get him up to speed. I'm not looking for anything overly technical, just something that would broadly educate him on the difference between standards, containers and codec's, and outline the popular versions he's likely to see.

 

Google throws up various bits and pieces, some questionable, some out of date etc.

Anyone know of anything worth passing on before I point him in the direction of Wikipedia? Something with an 'Adobe' stamp would be ideal.

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

Mike