What is MPEG 2?

MPEG 2 describes a combination of lossy video and audio data compression methods. MPEG 2 supposes compression of the raw frames into three kinds of frames: intra-coded frames (I-frame), predictive-coded frames (P-frames), and bidirectionally-predictive-coded frames (B-frames). This format defines 4 profiles and 4 levels that correspond to the quality and resolution.

What is MPEG 2 designed for?

MPEG-2 was the second of several standards developed by the Moving Pictures Expert Group in 1994. MPEG-2 enlarged the basic MPEG system in order to maintain TV quality compression of digital video transmission.

What are MPEG 2 special features?

• compresses data into small bits that are easily transmitted and then decompressed
• supports both interlaced and progressive video
• supports up to 5 audio channels including surround sound
• may contain GUI, interaction, encryption, data transmission
• uses temporal and spatial redundancy during the compression process

What are MPEG 2 advantages?

• allows storage and transmission of movies using currently available storage media and transmission bandwidth
• better coding quality at higher data rates in comparison with MPEG 1
• often used to create movies to be distributed over the internet
• offers resolutions of 720x480 and 1280x720 at 60 fps, full CD-quality audio
• significant requirements for computer encoding

Where it can be applied?

MPEG-2 is widely used in cable and satellite TV broadcasting systems. Wide range of devices like TV stations, TV receivers, DVD players support this standard. Programs that support an MPEG 2 files include Microsoft Windows Media Player, Apple QuickTime Player and most other video players on Microsoft Windows, Linux or Mac.