Which format - .mp4 or something else?

[zapster]

I've started converting a bunch of old 8MM video I took so we can watch it on the computer. I was thinking of using .mp4. Ideally whatever format I go with will be supported for a long time in future software. Are there better formats to consider?

[edDV]

I've started converting a bunch of old 8MM video I took so we can watch it on the computer. I was thinking of using .mp4. Ideally whatever format I go with will be supported for a long time in future software. Are there better formats to consider?

I'd say DVD MPeg2 is better. Widely supported and easier to edit. Better still is DV format.

[zapster]

I'm doing the conversion myself and it comes in as DV. Then I dump to DVD. But, I also want to convert a bunch to a smaller size just for PC playback. Ideally I can keep close to the DVD quality but with a much smaller foot print.

Currently considering:

mp4
wmv
dvix
xvid

I'd really like something that plays easily on other PCs/Macs and will still be supported in 10 years (I know, a tall order).

[edDV]

Wmv/VC-1 and h.264 will have long term universal support.

Today's divx/xvid may or may not be supported long term since these evolve outside international standards.