Which format is commonly used for high-quality video compression?

H.264 is a widely used format for high-quality video compression due to its ability to maintain excellent video quality while significantly reducing file size. This efficiency makes it ideal for various applications, including online streaming, Blu-ray discs, and video conferencing. H.264 achieves this by using advanced coding techniques that compress video data without introducing noticeable artifacts, which is crucial for maintaining the visual integrity of high-resolution content.

In comparison, while other formats like MPEG-4 are also associated with video compression, they do not offer the same level of quality and efficiency as H.264. MKV is a container format that can hold various codecs, including H.264, but by itself is not a compression format. FLV is mainly used for Adobe Flash applications and is not as common in general high-quality video compressions as H.264. Therefore, H.264 is the go-to choice for high-quality video compression across many platforms and services.