What is MPEG?

MPEG is an abbreviated form of Moving Picture Experts Group, a working group of ISO that was formed in 1988. MPEG stream is composed of several Elementary Streams (video, audio, subtitle streams) which are mixed together into a Program Stream. Program Stream may be transformed into a Transport Stream to be transferred through the Internet.

What is MPEG designed for?

Although MPEG develops international video and audio standards of encoding, compression, decompression and processing, it is also the name of the family of standards which includes: widely used small sized MPEG-1 (storage and retrieval of moving pictures), MPEG-2 (used in DVD and satellite TV), MPEG-4 (allows small file size with DVD quality), MPEG-7 (describes multimedia content), MPEG-21 (multimedia framework).

What are MPEG special features?

• multi-channel sound and higher image resolution
• asymmetric methodology of compression
• has increased requirements towards hardware in case of processing video
• new approach to decoding: interpretation of the bitstream instead of united standard

What are MPEG advantages?

• is a cross-platform and non-commercial standard
• supported by all popular web browsers
• combines the high quality of the video and the small file size
• offers large variety of simple inexpensive decoders
• possibility of creating new encoder concept based on MPEG

Where it can be applied?

This format is prospective for broadcasting applications with small limited resources. MPEG is one of the most popular formats that allows streaming high quality video on the internet. These files can be played using Windows Media Player, Apple QuickTime Player, Cyberlink PowerDVD, Xine Player and other multimedia players. MPEG is included in lists of supported files of most device productors.