"What format do you need?" is one of the questions we get asked most. The answer is simpler than the jargon makes it sound, but there are a couple of traps worth knowing about — especially if you're converting files yourself or mixing sources from different providers.
Container vs Codec: The Two-Second Version
A video file has two parts you care about. The container is the wrapper — that's the file extension (.mp4, .mov, .webm). The codec is how the picture is actually compressed inside it (H.264, H.265/HEVC, ProRes, VP9). Presentation software cares about both, and most compatibility problems are codec problems wearing a container's clothes.
MP4 (H.264): The Safe Default
For church projection, an H.264 MP4 is the format to standardise on. It plays natively in ProPresenter, EasyWorship, MediaShout, Proclaim, OBS and every browser, on both Mac and Windows, without extra codecs. It decodes efficiently on modest hardware. Files are a manageable size. This is why Talesoft Digital delivers all lyric videos and loops as H.264 MP4.
One caveat: not every MP4 is H.264. Phones and newer editing apps sometimes export MP4 with H.265 (HEVC), which older presentation computers — particularly Windows machines without HEVC codecs — will refuse to play or play with a black screen. If an MP4 won't play, HEVC is the first thing to suspect.
MOV: Fine on Mac, Hit-and-Miss on Windows
MOV is Apple's container. It can hold H.264 (in which case it behaves much like an MP4) or ProRes (huge, high-quality files meant for editing rather than playback). ProRes MOVs are the right choice when you need an alpha channel for transparent lyric overlays, but for everyday playback they're overkill and can cause stutter on machines without fast storage. On Windows, ProRes support depends on what's installed.
WebM (VP9): For the Web, Not the Projector
WebM is what browsers like. It's excellent for website previews and streaming embeds, and it's what we use for the preview clips on our product pages. It is not what you want in ProPresenter or EasyWorship — support is inconsistent and decoding is heavier than H.264.
The Settings That Actually Matter
- Resolution: 1920×1080 for most churches; 3840×2160 (4K) only for large LED walls or 4K projectors.
- Frame rate: Match your output. 25fps or 30fps is standard; 60fps files look smoother on motion but double the decode load.
- Bitrate: 8–15 Mbps for 1080p is plenty for projection. Higher just makes bigger files.
- Audio: AAC stereo for lyric videos with backing tracks; no audio track at all for silent loops.
Converting Files You Already Have
If you've been handed a MOV, HEVC MP4 or something from a phone, HandBrake (free, Mac and Windows) will turn it into a clean H.264 MP4. Use the "Fast 1080p30" preset as a starting point and turn off "Web Optimized" — it's for streaming, not local playback.
The Short Answer
Standardise on H.264 MP4 at 1080p for everything that goes on the projector. Keep MOV/ProRes for alpha overlays and editing. Keep WebM for the website. If a file won't play, check the codec before you blame the software.
Every download from Talesoft Digital is a tested H.264 MP4 in 1080p and 4K. Browse the catalogue →