If you’ve been in the video production game for a while—especially if you're a regular in the EEVblog forums—you’ve likely run into the "E28 vs. MP4" debate. "E28" refers to the high-quality setting found on many prosumer cameras, while MP4 represents the industry's most flexible container.
But which one actually wins for modern creators? Let's break down the technical differences and why many pros are finally making the switch. What is E28 (AVCHD 28Mbps)?
AVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) was developed by Sony and Panasonic. The "E28" setting is often the "Goldilocks" zone for 1080p footage—offering high enough bitrates to preserve detail while maintaining a manageable file size. E28vs.mp4
Are you still shooting in AVCHD, or have you made the leap to full MP4? Let us know your workflow in the comments! Thoughts on AVCHD vs MP4 for technology videos on YouTube
While 28Mbps AVCHD was the king of 1080p, the shift toward has made the older E28 format less relevant. Many creators now find that shooting in 20Mbps to 60Mbps MP4 provides a much faster workflow without a perceptible loss in quality for tech-heavy, low-motion videos. If you’ve been in the video production game
Incredible video quality and efficiency for camcorder workflows.
Highly compressed, which can lead to "muddy" footage in high-motion scenes if the bitrate isn't set high enough. The Comparison: Which Should You Use? E28 (AVCHD) MP4 (H.264) Best Use Case Archival, High-End Camcorders Web, Social Media, Quick Edits Editing Speed Can be slower/stuttery Very smooth on most NLEs Compatibility Moderate (Requires specific players) Video Quality Often superior at lower bitrates Requires higher bitrates for parity Verdict: Why "E28" is Fading But which one actually wins for modern creators
MP4 has become the universal standard. Whether you are uploading to YouTube or sending a quick preview to a client, MP4 works everywhere.