<!--
{
  "documentType" : "article",
  "framework" : "AVFoundation",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/AVFoundation/media-types-and-utilities",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "collectionGroup",
  "title" : "Media types and utilities"
}
-->

# Media types and utilities

Identify the types of content and file formats that AVFoundation supports.

## Topics

### Media types

[`AVMediaType`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVMediaType)

An identifier for various media types.

[`AVMediaCharacteristic`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVMediaCharacteristic)

A structure that defines media data characteristics.

### File types

[`AVFileType`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVFileType)

The uniform type identifiers for various file formats.

[`AVFileTypeProfile`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVFileTypeProfile)

File type profiles for streaming formats.

### Utilities

[`AVMakeRectWithAspectRatioInsideRect`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVMakeRect(aspectRatio:insideRect:))

Returns a scaled rectangle that maintains the specified aspect ratio within a bounding rectangle.


---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)