.WEBM File Extension

WebM Video

Developer	Google
Popularity	Average rating 3.9 / 5. Vote count: 562
Category	Video Files
Format	.WEBM
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an WEBM file?

The .WEBM file format is a modern media container format designed for the web. It stands out for its high-quality video compression and streaming capabilities. The format is based on a subset of the Matroska media container, tailored specifically for web use.

More Information.

Originally, .WEBM was created to provide a video format that supported high-quality video playback on the web without the need for proprietary plugins or software. The initial purpose was to make online video more accessible and efficient, leveraging the VP8 video codec, which Google open-sourced in the same year.

Origin Of This File.

Developed by a team at Google, the .WEBM project was announced in 2010. It was part of Google’s broader initiative to improve web video by offering a high-quality, open-source, and royalty-free video format.

File Structure Technical Specification.

A .WEBM file consists of VP8 or VP9 video and Vorbis or Opus audio streams. It uses the .webm file extension and is structured similarly to other Matroska formats but with a more streamlined configuration tailored for web compatibility.

It supports all modern web browsers and provides high-quality video and audio streams with efficient compression.

How to Convert the File?

Windows

Use a Conversion Software: Applications like Handbrake, Any Video Converter, or Freemake Video Converter are popular choices. Download and install the software.
Open the Application: Launch the conversion software.
Import the .WEBM File: Use the ‘Open’ or ‘Import’ function to load your .WEBM file into the application.
Select Output Format: Choose the desired file format (e.g., MP4, AVI) for the output.
Start the Conversion: Click on the ‘Convert’ or ‘Start’ button to begin the conversion process.

Linux

Use FFmpeg (Command Line Tool): Install FFmpeg using your distribution’s package manager (e.g., sudo apt-get install ffmpeg for Ubuntu).
Convert Using Terminal: Open the terminal and use the command ffmpeg -i input.webm output.mp4, replacing ‘input.webm’ with your file name and ‘output.mp4’ with your desired output file name and format.
Alternatively, Use a GUI Tool: Tools like Handbrake are also available for Linux. Install and use them similarly to Windows.

Mac

Handbrake: This free tool is available for macOS. Download and install Handbrake.
Open Handbrake: Launch the application.
Load the .WEBM File: Click on ‘Open Source’ to import your .WEBM file.
Choose Output Format: Select your preferred output format from the presets or manually set it.
Start Conversion: Click on ‘Start’ to begin converting the file.

Android

Use a Conversion App: Download a video converter app from the Google Play Store, such as ‘Media Converter’ or ‘Video Converter Android’.
Open the App: Launch the converter app.
Select the .WEBM File: Browse your device to find and select the .WEBM file.
Choose Output Format: Pick the format you want to convert to.
Convert the File: Initiate the conversion process in the app.

iOS

Download a Conversion App: Find a video converter app in the App Store, like ‘The Video Converter’ or ‘iConv’.
Open the App: Run the app after installation.
Upload the .WEBM File: Some apps may allow you to import the file from cloud storage or your device.
Select the Desired Format: Choose the format you want to convert the .WEBM file into.
Start the Conversion: Begin the conversion process within the app.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantages:

Open-source and royalty-free.
High-quality video and audio compression.
Broad compatibility with web browsers.
Efficient streaming capabilities.

Disadvantages:

Limited support outside of web platforms.
Some older devices and software may not support the format natively.

How to Open WEBM?

Open In Windows

VLC Media Player: A highly versatile player that supports .WEBM files.
MPC-HC (Media Player Classic – Home Cinema): A lightweight, open-source media player.
Windows Media Player with Codecs: Installing the WebM Video for Windows codec enables Windows Media Player to play .WEBM files.
Web Browsers: Modern browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge can play .WEBM files directly in the browser.

Open In Linux

VLC Media Player: Also available for Linux, offering robust support for .WEBM files.
Totem: Known as “Videos,” it’s the default GNOME desktop media player.
SMPlayer: A versatile media player that supports various formats, including .WEBM.
Web Browsers: Similar to Windows, browsers like Firefox and Chrome on Linux can play .WEBM files natively.

Open In MAC

VLC Media Player: Consistently reliable for .WEBM files on MacOS.
QuickTime Player with Perian: QuickTime can play .WEBM files when supplemented with the Perian codec pack (though Perian is no longer updated).
Elmedia Player: A versatile media player for MacOS that supports a wide range of formats.
Web Browsers: Safari, Chrome, and Firefox on Mac can play .WEBM files.

Open In Android

VLC for Android: Provides excellent support for .WEBM and other formats.
MX Player: A popular video player for Android that supports various formats, including .WEBM.
Native Video Players: Many modern Android devices have native players that support .WEBM.
Web Browsers: Chrome and Firefox for Android can play .WEBM files.

Open In IOS

VLC for Mobile: An iOS version of VLC, well-equipped to handle .WEBM files.
OPlayer Lite: Another versatile media player for iOS devices.
Infuse: Known for its user-friendly interface and support for various formats, including .WEBM.
Web Browsers: Safari and other iOS browsers can typically play .WEBM files.

Open in Others

For other platforms, such as Chrome OS or various smart TVs:

Built-in Media Players: Some may natively support .WEBM files.
Web Browsers: Browsers available on these platforms often have .WEBM support.
Third-Party Applications: Depending on the platform, there might be specific apps available for media playback that support .WEBM.