What is MPEG-2?
MPEG-2 is one of the video compression methods that support 720×480 resolution at 30 Hz and 720×576 at 25 Hz. It does not provide a high degree of compression. But at the same time, it does not require large computing resources when encoding video. Almost all software players and home DVD players support this standard. Video on DVDs is encoded using this standard.
Today, MPEG-2 is a digital encoding standard for audio and video signals. Most satellite television operators use MPEG-2 to transmit signals to subscribers. Moving Pictures Experts Group developed this standard and was approved by the International Organization for Standardization.
Difference Between MPEG-2 and MPEG-4
MPEG-2
- This is the encoding method for DVDs
- Encoded video files are much bigger
- Requires a lot more bandwidth for streaming
- Produces the best video quality
- Compression is much simpler
MPEG-4
- MPEG 4 is the encoding method of choice for portable devices and online use.
- Encoded video files are smaller than MPEG 2
- Requires a lot less bandwidth for streaming
- Produces the standard video quality
- Compression is not simpler
File formats preferred by various resources
| Purpose | Preferred file formats |
|---|---|
| YouTube | WebM, MOV, MP4, AVI, FLV, WMV |
| Vimeo | MP4 |
| In contact with | MOV, MP4, AVI, FLV, WMV |
| Classmate | WebM, MOV, MP4, AVI, FLV, WMV, OGG |
| WMV |
