OGG (file format)
OGG is a powerful and flexible container format that offers high-quality audio and video without the restrictions and fees associated with proprietary formats. Its open nature and efficient compression make it a popular choice for a variety of applications, from video games to streaming services.
What is OGG?
OGG is a container format, which means it can store video files, audio files, text, and metadata. This is similar to other popular formats like MP3 or MP4, but with a significant difference: OGG is completely free to use, modify, and distribute, with no licensing fees.
OGG supports a variety of codecs for audio and video compression. The most commonly used audio codec is Vorbis, which provides high-quality sound and efficient compression. It’s a popular choice for streaming and other applications where bandwidth is a concern.
For video codecs, there’s Theora, which offers competitive video quality at lower bit rates compared to other popular video codecs. It is widely used in online video streaming and game development. Both of these codecs are also developed by the Xiph.Org Foundation.
History of OGG
The OGG format was created by the Xiph.Org Foundation, a non-profit organization that produces free and open formats for multimedia. The foundation's mission is to protect the public from control by large corporations over digital multimedia technology. The OGG format is a key part of this mission.
OGG was developed as an open and free alternative to proprietary digital multimedia formats. The name "OGG" comes from "ogging", a term from the video game Netrek, which means doing something forcefully, possibly without consideration of the drain on future resources. This reflects the foundation's commitment to providing robust, high-quality open formats.
Uses of OGG
OGG is used in a variety of applications, from streaming services to video games. Its open nature makes it a popular choice for developers who want to avoid licensing fees and restrictions associated with proprietary formats.
Many popular video games use OGG for their audio, thanks to its high quality and low overhead.
Streaming services also use OGG, as it provides a good balance between quality and bandwidth usage. In addition, OGG is used in some digital radios and music players. Streaming services like Spotify use OGG Vorbis for their audio streams.
How to play OGG files
Despite its many advantages, OGG is not as widely supported as formats like MP3 or MP4. However, there are many software options available that can play OGG files.
VLC Media Player, a free and open-source media player, supports OGG out of the box. Other options include Winamp and Foobar2000. For mobile devices, apps like VLC for Mobile and PlayerPro Music Player support OGG playback.
Converting OGG files
If you have an OGG file that you need to play on a device or software that doesn't support OGG, you can convert it to a more widely supported format. There are many free online converters available that can convert OGG files to MP3, WAV, or other formats.
Restream’s audio converter is the go-to online tool for converting your OGG files to MP3 or WAV format. It’s fast, free, and easy to use. All you have to do is upload your OGG file, select MP3 or WAV for your preferred format, and download your converted file after the process is finished.