OGV (Ogg Video)
The open-source video container built for a web that belongs to everyone.
| Full name | Ogg Video |
| Extension | .ogv |
| MIME type | video/ogg |
| Developer | Xiph.Org Foundation |
| Released | 2007 (.ogv extension and MIME type formally defined; underlying Ogg container standardized via RFC 3533 in 2003) |
| Type | Video container format |
| Video codec | Theora (most common); also supports Dirac and others |
| Audio codec | Vorbis or Opus |
What is a OGV file?
OGV is an open, patent-free video container format created by the Xiph.Org Foundation. It stores video alongside audio in the Ogg container, using free codecs like Theora for video and Vorbis or Opus for audio. The format was designed so anyone can use it without paying royalties or licensing fees.
An OGV file is an Ogg container that holds video data, typically encoded with the Theora codec, plus audio encoded with Vorbis or Opus. The Ogg container organizes data into logical bitstreams split into pages, making it suitable for streaming over a network. Unlike MP4 or AVI, every component of OGV is covered by open specifications with no patent encumbrances. This makes it a popular choice in free and open-source software projects.
History
The Ogg container format originated in the early 1990s as part of a Xiph.Org project to build patent-free multimedia tools. The Ogg bitstream was formally standardized in RFC 3533 in May 2003. The .ogv extension and the video/ogg MIME type were introduced in 2007 by Xiph.Org to distinguish video files from audio-only Ogg files, and were officially registered with IANA in RFC 5334 in September 2008.
Container vs codec
An OGV file is divided into pages, each 65,536 bytes at most, identified by the four-byte magic number 'OggS'. Each page belongs to a logical bitstream identified by a serial number, allowing multiple streams (one video, one or more audio tracks) to be interleaved. The first page of each stream is a header page that identifies the codec and its parameters. Players read these headers first, then decode the interleaved data pages in order.
What it is used for
- Distributing video on websites without paying codec royalties
- Archiving video in a fully open format with no legal restrictions
- Embedding video in open-source or GNU/Linux software projects
- Streaming video using HTML5 in browsers that support the format natively
How to open it
VLC Media Player opens OGV files on Windows, macOS, and Linux without any extra plugins. Firefox and Chromium-based browsers can play OGV files directly in an HTML5 video element.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Completely free and open: no patent licenses required
- Good compression quality from the Theora and Opus codecs
- Supported natively in major browsers via the HTML5 video element
- Suitable for streaming: the page-based structure allows players to start before the file is fully downloaded
Trade-offs
- Theora video quality is noticeably lower than H.264 or H.265 at the same file size
- Hardware decoding support is rare, so playback is more CPU-intensive than MP4
- Not supported natively by Apple Safari or older versions of Microsoft Edge without a plugin
- Limited support on mobile devices and smart TVs compared to MP4
Convert OGV files
Free, in your browser, no signup. Start at the OGV converter, or jump straight to a popular conversion below.
From OGV
Curious how fast and how small? See our measured conversion benchmarks.
OGV FAQ
Is OGV the same as OGG?
They share the same Ogg container, but .ogg typically refers to audio-only files while .ogv signals that the file contains video. Xiph.Org introduced the .ogv extension in 2007 specifically to make this distinction clear.
Can I play an OGV file on Windows without installing software?
Windows Media Player does not support OGV out of the box. You need a free player like VLC, or you can open the file in Firefox or a Chromium-based browser.
What video codec does an OGV file use?
Most OGV files use the Theora video codec, developed by Xiph.Org and based on VP3 from On2 Technologies. Some OGV files use the Dirac codec, but that is uncommon.
Why would I convert an OGV file to MP4?
MP4 with H.264 video has broader hardware support, plays on virtually every device, and typically produces smaller files at higher quality than Theora. Converting to MP4 makes the video accessible to the widest possible audience.