Video: Formats That Play Everywhere
Which video formats to upload to a Peony data room so they play in every visitor's browser, how to check and convert a video's codec, and how watermarks and downloads work for video.
Last updated September 27, 2026
Video streams inside the room's viewer with the dynamic watermark over it. Uploading video requires the Business plan or above. The one thing that decides whether a video plays for everyone is its codec — how the picture is encoded inside the file.
Recommended Format
MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio. It plays in every modern browser — Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox, on desktop and mobile. Most screen recorders and video tools export it by default.
| Format | Plays for every visitor? |
|---|---|
| MP4, H.264 video | Yes — recommended |
| MP4 or MOV, HEVC / H.265 (common from iPhones and recent Macs) | Only in some browsers — convert to H.264 |
| MP4 or AVI, older codecs (MPEG-4 Part 2, DivX, Xvid) | Often sound with no picture — convert to H.264 |
| WebM (VP9) | Most browsers — MP4 H.264 is safer |
Check a Video's Codec
- Mac: select the file in Finder, choose File → Get Info, and look at Codecs under More Info.
- Windows: right-click the file → Properties → Details, and look at the video section.
- Any computer: open it in the free VLC player, then Tools → Codec Information (Mac: Window → Media Information).
If it says H.264 or AVC, it's ready to upload.
Convert a Video to H.264
With HandBrake (free, Mac and Windows):
- Open the video in HandBrake.
- Pick the Fast 1080p30 preset (or Fast 720p30 for smaller files).
- Check the format is MP4 and the video encoder is H.264 (x264).
- Click Start, then upload the new file.
With ffmpeg (command line):
ffmpeg -i input.mov -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:a aac output.mp4
To swap the new file in without changing the link, use Upload a new version.
Watermarks and Downloads
- The dynamic watermark is drawn over the video while it plays.
- The player's own download control and right-click menu are removed.
- Visitors can download the file only if their group has Download permission. A downloaded video is your original file, without the watermark. See Which files carry the watermark.
Large Videos
- Stay on the page until the upload finishes.
- Very long recordings upload faster as a few shorter clips.
- See Upload & preview troubleshooting for size limits by plan.
Common Questions
Which video format should I upload?
MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio. It plays in every modern browser on desktop and mobile.
My video uploaded but plays sound with no picture, or won't play. Why?
The video uses a codec some browsers can't play, such as older MPEG-4 Part 2 or HEVC/H.265. Convert it to MP4 (H.264) and upload it again.
It plays for me but not for an investor. Why?
Your browser can decode the codec and theirs can't — typical with HEVC/H.265 from an iPhone or Mac. Converting to H.264 fixes it for everyone.
Can visitors download my video?
Only if their group has Download permission. The player's own download control is removed either way.