Need help understanding HTML 5 audio/video meta data use and placement

Question

I have spent a significant amount of time researching HTML 5 audio and video, however I am stuck understanding the encoding of the meta data. It seems that in my research, using programs like Handbrake (ffmpeg) it is recommend to check of "web optimized" (There is also a similar type of setting when exporting from other types of software, like imovie). I have concluded (and correct me if I am wrong) that this has to do with moving the file's meta data to the beginning of the file. This then gives the player/browser the info it requires to play immediately without having to wait to load the entire file.

So here is where I am confused and the question I need help with

Does this only apply to the mp4 MOOV atom? Or is there something similar in .ogv and .webm files?

Answer 1

Using the highly scientific method of seeing which Handbrake options are enabled when, I've determined that MOOV atom positioning is only relevant for MP4 container files.

More seriously though, the MOOV atom is part of the container file and there's no evidence that Ogg or WebM replicated this problematic feature of MP4.

From the Ogg spec:

The Ogg container is primarily a streaming format...

The WebM "guidelines ... for file streaming over an HTTP connection" make no mention of MOOV atom position or anything similar, strongly suggesting that it's not an issue.