For non-techies like me, it’s difficult to get a sense of all the different video and music formats. Here is a brief and simple to understand article on MPEG2 vs MPEG4.
MPEG is an abbreviated form of Moving Pictures Expert Group. As the name suggests, it is an expert group that is associated with the standard procedure of standard regulation of video encoding. This group was first created by ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and ISE (International Electrotechnical Commission) to have a body to govern and set standards for audio and video transmission and compression.
The group or committee was formed under the leadership of Hiroshi Yasuda (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)and Leonardo Chiariglione (Centro Studi e Laboratori Telecomunicazioni). The latter has been its chairperson from its inception till June 6, 2020. The association held its first meeting in 1988 in Ottawa, Canada.
Today present the group consists of 300 to 350 members from varying industries, organizations, and reputed research. MPEG is organized under ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29. JPEG is also organized under the same organization. This MPEG format has been fully developed over many years and now has various types like – MPEG2 MPEG4 MPEG7 MPEG 1, MPEG 21.
MPEG 2 and MPEG 4 were developed at different times. The main difference between the two is that MPEG 2 was made for encoding videos and made with the contemporary technology of DVD in mind, whereas, MPEG 4 is a format that is suitable for portable devices and supports online streaming well.
Comparison Table: MPEG2 vs MPEG4
| Criteria | MPEG2 | MPEG4 |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | MPEG2 was developed first to comply with the technology of DVD. It was developed in 1988. | MPEG4 was developed way later in 1999 when the need was raised to have a format that was compatible with the newly emerging internet and online video streaming. |
| Bandwidth | The bandwidth of MPEG2 is 40 Mbps to support its higher picture quality. | MPEG4’s bandwidth can be as low as 64 kbps. |
| File size | MPEG2 provides higher picture quality and therefore it has a larger file size. | MPEG2 provides higher picture quality and therefore it has a larger file size. |
| Encoding | MPEG2 uses H.262 encoding. | MPEG4, on the other hand, uses H.264 encoding. |
| Used in | MPEG2 was developed with DVD technology in mind so it is not compatible with internet technology. | MPEG4 was made with internet and online video streaming in mind and is compatible with the same. |
| Picture quality | One of the main advantages of MPEG2 is its higher picture quality. The file size is larger due to the higher quality, of course, but MPEG2 is the format to go to for higher quality video. | MPEG4 was made for online video streaming purposes so it is imperative that its file size is shorter and therefore its picture quality is not as good as MPEG2. |
| File extension | MPEG2 uses file extension of .mpg, .mpeg, .m2v, .mp2, mp3. | MPEFG4 uses extensions: mpg, .mpeg, .m2v, .mp2, mp3. |
About MPEG2
MPEG2 was developed in 1995 for the purpose of encoding videos in the newly emerged DVD technology. This format works by using the block-based eight-by-eight DCT technique for the compression of video coding in its algorithm. MPEG2 involves a straightforward algorithm for the compression of records while still providing high-quality pictures.
For the compression of recordings, MPEG2 disposes of the data in segments so the picture outline doesn’t change. Then it just saves the piece where any new data is incorporated.
Due to all this, MPEG2 is able to produce better picture quality than MPEG 4. This is why it also requires a broader bandwidth than the other. It has a bit rate of 5-8 Mbits per sec. Its usual bandwidth is 40 MB/sec. The MPEG2 uses H.262 encoding.
However, it is unable to compress files into smaller sizes and therefore is not suitable for modern internet technology. MOEG2 along with MPEG1 is identified by the file names. : .mpg, .mpeg, .m2v, .mp2, mp3 . These are the most commonly used ones.
About MPEG4
MPEG 4 is a more versatile format than MPEG 2. It was developed in 1999. During that time a new technology in the form of the internet was emerging in the form of the internet and the previous format of MOEG2 was not able to meet the requirements of this new age.
MPEG4 was developed to be a compatible format for video streaming which was becoming popular in those days. It is also very compatible with portable devices. It is possible to compress the file in a way that reduces the file size as well, which is required for a smooth transmission through the internet.
However, in doing so, it has to compromise with the picture quality. It doesn’t provide high and better picture quality like mpeg2 you because of its smaller file size. Even though it provides lower picture quality it has become a universal format in video transmission because of smoother transmission and smaller file size which is easier to store in devices like mobile phones.
Its bandwidth requirement is quite low 64 kbps. Some of the file extensions for MPEG4 are .mpg, .mpeg, .m2v, .mp2, mp3 . This format, unlike MPEG2, utilizes encoding of H.264.
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Difference Between MPEG2 and MPEG4
1) Origin
MPEG2 was developed first to comply with the technology of DVD. It was developed in 1988.
MPEG4 was developed way later in 1999 when the need was raised to have a format that was compatible with the fast emerging internet and online video streaming.
2) Picture quality
One of the main advantages of MPEG2 is its higher picture quality. The file size is larger due to the higher quality, of course, but MPEG2 is the format to go to for higher quality video.
MPEG4 was made for online video streaming purposes so it is imperative that its file size is shorter and therefore its picture quality is not as good as MPEG 2.
3) File size
MPEG2 provides higher picture quality and therefore it has a larger file size.
MPEG4 has a smaller file size to be compatible with internet video streaming.
4) Bandwidth
The bandwidth of MPEG2 is 40 Mbps to support its higher picture quality.
MPEG 4’S bandwidth can be as low as 64 kbps.
5) Encoding
Due to their different algorithm and functions, they have different encoding capacities. MPEG2 uses H.262 encoding. MPEG4, on the other hand, uses H.264 encoding.
6) Used in
MPEG2 was developed with DVD technology in mind so it is not compatible with internet technology.
MPEG4 was made with internet and online video streaming in mind and is compatible with the same.
7) File extensions
MPEG2 uses file extension of .mpg, .mpeg, .m2v, .mp2, mp3.
MPEFG4 uses extensions: mpg, .mpeg, .m2v, .mp2, mp3 .
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Naomi is an educator with 2 decades of experience working with children of all ages. She is a keen observer of the magic and importance of Maths in our daily lives. Follow me on Linkedin