Limelight

MOV (QuickTime File Format)

MOV is Apple's QuickTime container format for storing high-quality video, audio, and timed metadata in a single file.

MOV is a multimedia container format developed by Apple as part of QuickTime. Like MP4, it holds one or more tracks of video, audio, and timed data, and it can carry many of the same codecs, including H.264 and ProRes. In fact, the modern MP4 specification was derived from the QuickTime file format, so the two are close technical cousins that often store identical media.

A MOV file organizes media into tracks referenced by an index called the movie atom, letting players seek and decode each stream independently. MOV is a first-class citizen on macOS and iOS, integrating tightly with QuickTime Player, Final Cut Pro, and the system frameworks. It is popular in professional editing because it supports high-bitrate, edit-friendly codecs like ProRes.

On the Mac, screen captures are frequently produced as MOV before being finalized. Limelight focuses on delivering shareable output and exports as MP4 (or vertical 9:16), the more universally compatible sibling of MOV, so recordings play cleanly beyond the Apple ecosystem.

Why Limelight

  • ▸Apple's QuickTime container, deeply integrated with macOS and iOS.
  • ▸Shares heritage with MP4; MP4 was derived from the QuickTime format.
  • ▸Supports edit-friendly professional codecs like Apple ProRes.
  • ▸Limelight exports MP4 for broad compatibility rather than MOV.
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FAQ

What is the difference between MOV and MP4?
Both are containers with shared heritage. MOV is Apple's QuickTime format favored in editing, while MP4 is more universally compatible across non-Apple platforms.
Can MOV files hold ProRes?
Yes. MOV commonly carries high-bitrate, edit-friendly codecs like Apple ProRes, which is why it is popular in professional post-production.
Does Limelight export MOV files?
Limelight exports MP4, including a vertical 9:16 option, prioritizing broad compatibility over the Apple-centric MOV format.

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