MPEG

2006-07-19T00:52:53Z

Josemia2: /* MPEG-3 */

{{wikipedia|MPEG}}
MPEG refers to a set of standards created by the [http://www.chiariglione.org/mpeg/ Moving Picture Experts Group]. MPEG refers to several video, audio and [[container]] formats.

An MPEG file is a file using an MPEG container (these are called ''ts'' and ''ps'', and also ''mp4'' for MPEG-4).

== Creating an MPEG File with VLC ==
To make an MPEG file, you need to:
* Pick a container (see [[#Muxers|below]])
* Transcode the audio and video to formats able to be held in the container: in general this is the MPEG video and audio formats only. Check the [http://www.videolan.org/streaming/features.html compatibility information] in the official documentation.
You can do this using the Wizard, or by running vlc from a [[command prompt]]
<blockquote>
vlc ''file.avi'' --sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp2v, acodec=mpga}:std{access=file, mux=ps,url=''file.mpg''}'
</blockquote>

== MPEG-1 and 2 ==
{{wikipedia|MPEG-1}}
{{wikipedia|MPEG-2}}

* Video codec: '''mp1v''', '''mp2v'''
* Audio codec: '''mpga''', '''mp2a''', '''mp3'''
* Muxer: '''ts''', '''ps'''

MPEG-1 is a video and audio compression format, used in [[Video CD]]s. It is compatible with a large number of software and hardware devices.

MPEG-2 is used in digital television and [[DVB]]. It is also used as the format for [[DVD]]s.

=== MPEG-1 Audio ===
MPEG-1 also contains several audio compression formats:
* '''mpga''' is MP1 or MPEG-1 (Part 3) Layer 1
* '''mp2a''' is MP2 or MPEG-1 (Part 3) Layer 2
* '''mp3''' is [[MP3]] or MPEG-1 (Part 3) Layer 3

=== Muxers ===
MPEG-2 specified 2 [[container]] formats, ts and ps. Containers hold video and audioinformation in them, and package them up so it can be sent over a network or stored on disk.
* '''ts''' (Transport Stream) should be used to store or send data where data loss will probably occur, such as over a network.
* '''ps''' (Program Stream) should be used to store or send data where data loss is not likely, such as on a DVD.

Both ps and ts can transport MPEG-4 Video, but only ts can send MPEG-4 Audio. In addition, MPEG-4 specifies it's own muxer, '''mp4''' (see [[#MPEG-4|below]])

== MPEG-3 ==
{{wikipedia|MPEG-3}}
A largely unused audio and video compression format.
* Note that [[MP3]] is actually '''MPEG-1 Layer 3'''.

== MPEG-4 ==
{{wikipedia|MPEG-4}}
* Video codec: '''mp4v''' ('''m4v''')
* Audio codec: '''mp4a''' ('''m4a''') - this is [[AAC]].
* Muxer: '''mp4'''
MPEG-4 is a flexible audio and video compression format. The format describes audio and video compression, with a container format for streaming across networks and saving to disk. It also contains optional extra features, including [[DRM]] and [[subtitles]]. These extra features are only included in software if needed.

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MPEG