what is the best video format (codec) for snaps?

[verion]

AM with video snaps in .mp4 format uses 60-70% cpu (i5 1.3 Ghz) - just for front-end displaying video.
This is too much for my system, because fan ramps up quickly and gets annoyingly loud.

With static images it is about 3-5%

I know mp4 is cpu-intensive - maybe switching to XviD or something else can lower cpu usage?

[two40]

Have you tried flv?

Windows version currently does not work with flv but that bug will hopefully be fixed soon.

[verion]

I'm on OS X.

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I've just tried AVI (XviD).

CPU stays at 5-7% when playing. But it is not fair comparison - because I'm comparing 720p MP4 video with 256x256px XviD.
But I think this is a good lead - my XBOX (1st gen) plays XviD files beautifully, but stutters with MP4.

I'm guessing that AM is not using hardware acceleration when playing video - beacuse the same video (MP4) plays in VLC with 25-30% CPU usage.

[verion]

I've made some additional testing.
I would like to use mp4 since all my editing programs supports only this format. Of course I can convert it - but it is too much hassle.

@ 640x480 resolution, mp4 format - CPU usage is 25-30% so I think it is acceptable.