Best Codec in QT 7.1

AAC is MPEG-4 audio, per this list of formats that QT 7 supports:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/player/specs.html

what is the criteria for "best"?

* h.264 is most scalable, but need lots of "power" for decoding and too much power for encoding ;-))
* mpeg4 is my personal favorite for websharing, useless for editing...
* sorenson is widely spreaded..less pic quality (with the free version included to QT)
* mpeg2 is best for dvd 😉, but for transport/playback only
* mpeg1 runs even on antique PC from the 80ies...and look like 😉
* dv is best codec for editing purposes... but resulting files are BIG...
* animation is good for transport of...
* Apple Intermediate Codec is lossless and needed for editing purposes of mpeg2 material from HD camcorders... but LARGE files...

...because for different usages, there are different codecs, they all have their ad- and disadvantages....

I agree with karsten's list, except...

• Sorenson Video 3 is my personal favourite, good for archiving and web sharing.
  
• Sorenson (v.1)... don't try it, outdated.
  
• MPEG4 ... a good codec, but don't use it for low bitrate.