MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is a digital multimedia container format most commonly used to store video and audio, but it can also be used to store subtitles and images. Like most modern container formats, it allows streaming over the Internet. MP4 is a widely supported format, compatible with a vast range of devices and operating systems, making it a popular choice for distributing video content. It uses MPEG-4 compression for video, which provides a good balance between file size and video quality. Audio is typically encoded using AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), but other audio codecs are also supported. The MP4 format is based on the QuickTime File Format (QTFF), but it has been standardized as part of the MPEG-4 specification. Its versatility and widespread compatibility have made it a dominant format for video sharing, streaming, and playback across various platforms, from computers and mobile devices to televisions and gaming consoles. It's also commonly used for storing video recordings from cameras and smartphones.